Yesterday, World Vision and other religious groups sent a letter to members of Congress, urging it not to pass legislation that would prohibit religious-based hiring discrimination by non-profits receiving federal funding.
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Currently, under an Office of Legal Counsel memorandum and executive orders signed by former president George W. Bush, faith-based recipients of federal funding are permitted to discriminate in hiring based on the religious beliefs of the applicant or the applicant's lack of compatibility with the organization's religious beliefs. Religious and civil liberties groups have long urged President Obama to follow through with a campaign promise to end the hiring discrimination with taxpayer dollars, and remain deeply frustrated with the administration's failure to act.
But it was more right-leaning evangelicals and Catholics that pressured Obama to punt on the campaign promise. In putting together the OFBNP in 2009, Obama told the Advisory Council that, while it would study and make recommendations to "reform" the office, it would not be offering any advice on the contentious faith-based hiring issue.
Obama could end the practice through executive order; legislation wouldn't be necessary. World Vision, though, is drawing attention to a provision in the pending Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration reauthorization that would prohibit religious discrimination in hiring by groups receiving federal funding. But World Vision, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the Orthodox Union urged Congress not to pass any legislation and also continued to urge the administration not to change the Bush policy.
Americans United for the Separation of Church and State spoke out in opposition to the letter, with executive director the Rev. Barry Lynn calling it "disgraceful" that when so many Americans are out of work, "some religious leaders want to deny government-funded job opportunities on the basis of religion."
Source: Religion Dispatches | Sarah Posner
