The lack of success passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act is something Baldwin is attempting to rectify. Republicans have used the bogus argument that Christian book stores would have to hire Atheists. The First Amendment specificly states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." It's doubtful Atheists and Muslims would suddenly flock to Christian bookstores to work as clerks. What Conservatives fear is not being able to hide behind religion to practice bigotry.
Bob Jones University lost their tax exempt status for a racist admission policy.
The Court found that the IRS was correct in its decision to revoke the tax-exempt status of Bob Jones University and the Goldsboro Christian School. These institutions did not meet the requirement by providing "beneficial and stabilizing influences in community life" to be supported by taxpayers with a special tax status. The schools could not meet this requirement due to their discriminatory policies. The Court declared that racial discrimination in education violated a "fundamental national public policy." The government may justify a limitation on religious liberties by showing it is necessary to accomplish an "overriding governmental interest." Prohibiting racial discrimination was such a governmental interest. Hence, the Court found that "not all burdens on religion are unconstitutional."
I love nothing more than scam artists losing their tax exempt status.
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