Source: www.nytimes.com
UNITED STATES, August 25, 2010: More than 100 religion-based organizations are protesting a provision in pending American legislation that would prohibit them from receiving federal money if they consider a job applicant’s religion when hiring. On the other side of the debate, pushing for reform, is The Coalition Against Religious Discrimination, whose members include the American Civil Liberties Union, the Hindu American Foundation and the N.A.A.C.P.
In a letter sent Wednesday to all members of Congress, groups antagonizing the proposal contend that it would dilute protections they have under the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, as well as under the Constitution. “Those four lines in the legislation would be a seismic change in bedrock civil rights law for religious organizations,” said Steven McFarland, chief legal counsel at World Vision USA, a Christian aid organization that is leading the protest.
The debate over federal financing of programs operated by nonprofits with religious affiliations — or so-called charitable choice — dates back to the Clinton administration, when it became part of a welfare overhaul. Organizations are not allowed to discriminate against clients based on religion or require, say, attendance at church services as part of service delivery but are able to exercise their religious beliefs in hiring and other aspects of their operations.
The Coalition Against Religious Discrimination has been pushing Congress to eliminate “charitable choice” altogether for many years, and it said the pending bill did not go far enough.