Religious freedom is protected under the first Amendement
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances
So basically this is taken to mean that any religious organization is untouchable, but they however are
allowed to discriminate.
]ust as religious organizations may take into account an individual's religion with respect to employment decisions, ENDA's religious exemption allows religious organizations to also take into account an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity. In other words ENDA gives religious organizations a legal right to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
By contrast, Title VII does not permit religious organizations to discriminate on the basis of an individual's race, color, sex, or national origin. Going back to our earlier example, under Title VII a Lutheran school can hire or fire a teacher for being a Mormon, but not for being a woman or for being Asian American. If ENDA passed, a Lutheran school would also be able to fire or not hire a teacher for being gay or transgender, but would still not be able to do so for being a woman or for being Asian American. In this way ENDA's religious exemption is broader than that found in Title VII. [Center for American Progress,
Gosh, you have to love the phrase "the legal right to discriminate".
Ah, can you feel the bigotry, well if you cannot you can always pop over to Right Wing Watch and feel the daily hatred.
They don't have to participate in investing in the fabric of our society and are tax exempt If:
■ the organization must be organized and operated
exclusively for religious, educational, scientific, or other
charitable purposes,
■ net earnings may not inure to the benefit of any
private individual or shareholder,
■ no substantial part of its activity may be attempting
to influence legislation,
■ the organization may not intervene in political
campaigns, and
■ the organization’s purposes and activities may not
be illegal or violate fundamental public policy .
I "bolded" a part which appears to be broken on a daily basis by the religious right wing.
Every discussion about women's rights is overtly influenced by religious organizations
Every step of the way the fight for LGBT rights has come up against religious organizations.
Every step of the way education comes up against the brick wall of religious dogma.
If only we were free from religion, but they would disagree
The framers of our Constitution meant we were to have freedom of religion, not freedom from religion.
Billy Graham
The freedom to impose their hatred and bigotry all under the banner of
The legal right to discriminate
Wonderful.
Next they will be asking for their home grown version of Sharia law.