IRFA’s July 22nd Capitol Hill Briefing Print PDF

Written by IRFA | 27 July 2010

On July 22nd, IRFA organized a briefing for congressional staffers and outside groups with the title, “Is the Religious Freedom Landscape Shifting for Faith-Based Organizations?”  Speakers noted a series of troubling court and congressional actions.

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Supreme Court Undermines Freedom of Association Print PDF

Written by IRFA | 30 June 2010

The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 on Monday, June 28, that the Hastings College of Law (University of California), a public institution, can refuse recognition to any student group that has belief or conduct standards for its leadership. The case involved a Christian Legal Society student chapter. The ruling claims that Hastings’ policy fosters tolerance and diversity. But diversity is undermined when distinctive viewpoints cannot be maintained.

 

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Signs of the Times: Rising Washington Tide Against Religious Hiring Print PDF

Written by IRFA | 27 July 2010

It doesn’t seem to matter to certain powerful members of Congress and powerful DC action groups that religious hiring by faith-based organizations is a legally protected and essential religious freedom and management practice for the organizations—an important reason why they are able to make their vital particular contributions to the common good.

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Get Ready! Congressional Threats to Religious Hiring Print PDF

Written by IRFA | 30 June 2010

A recently proposed bill would undermine the freedom of religious organizations to consider religion when hiring staff and would also undermine the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.  Although the bill is unlikely to be adopted, its introduction is a warning sign.  Groups and individuals who want faith-based organizations to be able to be faith-full should gear up.

 

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ADVICE TO THE PRESIDENT

The federal faith-based initiative, extending back into the Clinton administration, has always been about improving the government's relationship with private organizations--secular and faith-based, large and small--that serve needy people and communities. It has involved many program innovations, organizational changes, and reforms of rules. At the center has always been action to ensure that faith-based organizations can collaborate with government programs without having first to suppress or hide their religious identity and faith-shaped practices.

President Barack Obama has promised an expanded and improved faith-based initiative. At a minimum, his initiative must not backtrack on the gains that have been made to ensure equal opportunity for faith-based organizations to participate in federally funded programs.

Equally important, the President should work with Congress to ensure that other federal rules and regulations--in areas that do not necessarily involve government funds, such as accreditation, employment rules, and tax-exempt status--are fair to faith-based organizations, safeguarding their religious identity and characteristics.

For the Coalition to Preserve Religious Freedom's advice to candidate Barack Obama,  go here .