US News - House Passes Anti-Heretic Act - Mister Thorne

"Um, yes... I'd still like to work in your soup kitchen."

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, national origin, sex, or religion. On 25 July, the US House of Representatives carved an exception to the Act when it passed another act that said certain employers could discriminate on the basis of religion. If those employers don't want to hire Jews, they don't have to. If they want, they can post Help Wanted signs that say, "Jews need not apply."

Which employers? Head Start providers. If the School Readiness Act becomes law as is, Christian groups that provide services under the Head Start program can openly and actively discriminate against Jews. For instance, they could fire employees who don't believe that Jesus Christ was the Messiah. President Bush supports the legislation.

Representative Lynn Woolsey (D - California) warned of the consequences. "Not only could prospective teachers lose job opportunities, but much-beloved long-time teachers could be fired simply because they don't share the religious affiliation of their employer," Woolsey said.

Representative Barney Frank (D - Massachusetts) expressed amazement. "What is this, the Taliban?" He suggested the bill be renamed "the Anti-Heretic and Infidel Association Act."

This past May, the House passed the Workforce Reinvestment and Adult Education Act which allows certain organizations that receive federal funds to discriminate against Jews. Last December, President Bush issued an executive order authorizing federal agencies to discriminate against Jews.