Washington, DC – In a strongly-worded letter, 110 faith leaders and seventeen national religious organizations expressed opposition to the Department of Labor’s attempt to use religious freedom as an excuse for workplace discrimination.
Arguing against the proposed rule “Implementing Legal Requirements Regarding the Equal Opportunity Clause’s Religious Exemption (RIN 1250-AA09),” these leaders and organizations stated:
Religion should never be used as a weapon to exclude and discriminate. A person’s religious beliefs are a personal choice that should not be forced upon others. This proposed rule wrongfully allows government contractors to take tenets of someone’s faith into account when making employment and benefit decisions, and application of these tenets does not have to be uniform. For example, a government contractor could fire or refuse to interview anyone, however qualified, who does not regularly attend religious services or practices a different religion.
The perspective of these leaders and organizations is particularly relevant given the topic at hand. They explain:
Freedom of religion is a right that we deeply cherish. It allows us to practice our faith freely and without interference from the federal government. But our rights are in fact threatened by this proposed rule. One in five Americans works for a federal contractor. If contractors decide to claim a religious affiliation, up to 1 in 5 Americans could be fired because of their differing religious beliefs, or any number of reasons. This proposed rule would serve only to wreak havoc on our moral and legal obligations to oppose discrimination.
In addition, they expressed frustration with a notice process that only allowed thirty days for the public to comment on the proposed rule. “At a minimum, we ask that DOL extends the comment period so our community members have the opportunity to share just how the implications of the proposal could impact their lives,” they write.
Read the full letter and list of co-signers here. In addition to national leaders and groups, leaders from twenty-four states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin) are included.
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition is made up of 53 national, faith-based organizations brought together across many theological traditions with a common call to seek just policies that lift up the God-given dignity of every individual. In partnership, we work to protect the rights, dignity, and safety of all refugees and migrants.
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