NCJW Decries Federal Funding of Religious Discrimination
October 24, 2008, Washington, DC -- The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) today decried the US Department of Justice's support for federal funding of religious discrimination in hiring. The policy is contained in a confidential 2007 DOJ memo officially released just last week as current administration policy. NCJW President Nancy Ratzan released the following statement:
"The Department of Justice's assertion that government agencies can fund social programs operated by religious groups that practice religious discrimination in hiring is an eye-opening assault on the separation of religion and state and civil rights. While we have heard this before from the Bush administration, the memo just released from DOJ goes further than ever before. Specifically, it asserts that the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) overrides explicit anti-discrimination provisions in the laws that govern the funding of faith-based programs. Further, the memo asserts that mandating nondiscriminatory hiring would 'unduly burden the recipients' right to practice their religion.' This interpretation stretches RFRA beyond recognition. It also likely contradicts a 2004 Supreme Court ruling in Locke v. Davey that upheld a Washington state ban on funding religious education.
"Faith-based groups are already exempt from federal income taxes and have the benefit of collecting tax-exempt contributions. They ought not to get federal funding while restricting employment only to fellow believers. The Justice Department should rescind this memo immediately."
The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.
Contact:
Emily Alfano
202 296 2588 x5; emily@ncjwdc.org