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Potential New Federal Legislation Threatens Faith-Based Funding printer-friendly

by RestoreHope Consulting

More than a hundred faith-based nonprofits are fighting to prevent the passage of a provision that would prohibit faith-based organizations from receiving federal money if they consider a job applicant's religion in the hiring process.

In a letter sent to Congress which argues that the provision - included in a bill to reauthorize the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - would weaken protections granted to the groups by the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and the Constitution. The language of the provision is broad enough to affect almost all types of federal funding. World Vision USA, a Christian aid organization that is leading the protest, received more than $300 million in cash, goods, and services from federal sources last year, while the Salvation Army received almost $400 million from federal, state, and local governments.

The ongoing and often contentious debate over federal support for programs run by nonprofits with religious affiliations has now spanned the previous two administrations and dates back to the Clinton administration, when the issue was included in welfare reform legislation. "Charitable Choice," allows faith-based organizations to receive Federal funding provided they don't use Federal funds for religious purposes nor do they coerce participants to be involved in their services. It also prohibits organizations from discriminating against clients based on religion but also enables them to exercise their religious beliefs in hiring and other aspects of their operations to maintain organizational and philosophical consistencies.

The NAACP, Coalition Against Religious Discrimination, American Civil Liberties Union, and the Hindu American Foundation have been pushing Congress to eliminate charitable choice for years and do not believe this pending legislation goes far enough.

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