Religious Freedom laws should be a shield to protect religious freedom, not a sword used to harm others. But this year, as in past sessions, legislators continue to introduce so-called religious freedom bills that would allow taxpayer-funded social service providers, individuals, and businesses to use religion to discriminate and deny people their rights.
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Our Nation’s Higher Education Law Shouldn’t Include A License To Discriminate
This morning, another bill that allows religion to be used to discriminate started making its way through Congress. Hidden in the bill dubbed the PROSPER Act are several provisions that would allow religious student groups and religious colleges and universities that get taxpayer funds to use religion to get around nondiscrimination policies that protect students and employees at these schools.
Opposing Viewpoints At The Atlantic’s LGBTQ Summit
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We Hope The Supreme Court Rules That Businesses Should Be Open To All In Masterpiece Cakeshop Case
Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. Americans United staff members were outside with allies urging the higher court to say businesses should be #OpenToAll and that they should not be allowed to use religion to discriminate.
The Masterpiece Cakeshop Case Is About Discrimination, Not Dessert
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The US Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission—an important case that will have significant implications on nondiscrimination laws that protect everyone, regardless of religious beliefs, sexual orientation, and more—on Tuesday, Dec. 5.
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A year ago, when Donald Trump and Mike Pence were elected to the highest offices in the land, Americans United warned of the many threats this administration posed to church-state separation. We promised that if any of those threats came to fruition, we would be ready to fight back and defend religious freedom.
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On Dec. 5, the US Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case that could have a huge impact on how our nation’s nondiscrimination laws protect the LGBTQ community, religious minorities, women, and just about anyone.
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Religious Right Groups Are Very Interested In The Colorado Bakery Case Pending Before The Supreme Court
The US Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments for December 5 in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission—an important case that will have significant implications for religious freedom.
New Trump Administration Policies Are A Blueprint For Using Religion To Discriminate
From AU's Wall of Separation blog:
Last Friday, the Trump Administration announced major policy changes that significantly weaken the principle of church-state separation and serve as a blueprint for using religion to discriminate, especially against women and LGBTQ people.
The two new rules that offer organizations and corporations the right to deny women insurance coverage for contraception made the news. Less coverage was given to the Department of Justice’s 25-page guidance titled, “Federal Law Protections for Religious Liberty.” This guidance contains extreme interpretations of the law in an effort to give a greenlight to religious exemptions, regardless of how an exemption would affect other people or the public interest.
Religious freedom is a fundamental value, but it does not allow religion to be used as an excuse to harm other people.
Here are just a few of the most troubling ways the guidance could be used:
- People and corporations may cite religion as an excuse to ignore nondiscrimination laws that protect women and LGBTQ people.
- Taxpayer-funded organizations can claim a right to discriminate in hiring on the basis of religion. They can also use a religious litmus test to decide whom they will serve within the government-funded social service program and which services they will provide, even if it conflicts with the terms of the government grant or contract.
- The government will give religious exemptions to businesses and government employees, even if the result is taking away a right or benefit the law guarantees to someone else.
In other words, the guidance allows taxpayer-funded organizations, corporations, and individuals to use religion as a trump card to almost any law.
This guidance misses the mark: Our laws should be a shield to protect religious freedom and not a sword to harm others. Our country is strongest when we are all free to believe or not, as we see fit, and to practice our faith without hurting others.
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