After Hobby Lobby, Faith Groups Reject Push To Perpetuate Discrimination Against Gays

http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2014/07/03/3456438/religious-exemption-letter-pushback/

BY JACK JENKINS JULY 3, 2014 AT 4:13 PM UPDATED: JULY 3, 2014 AT 11:38 PM



As President Barack Obama gets closer to issuing an executive order protecting the LGBT employees of federal contractors from discrimination, a growing number of progressive faith voices are working to counter conservatives who are pressuring the administration to include special exemptions for religious groups.

Conservative faith groups were quick to voice apprehension over the executive order when it was first announced in June, with several Catholic bishops expressing “great concern” over how it might affect partnerships between the government and faith-based nonprofits. Then on Tuesday, the day after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to exempt closely-held corporations from the Affordable Care Act’s contraception mandate on religious grounds, a group of 14 prominent faith leaders sent a letter to the President arguing that faith-based nonprofits that use federal funds but who do not embrace homosexuality should be exempt from the order. The letter was somewhat unusual, because while it listed several traditionally conservative voices such as megapastor Rick Warren, it also included the signatures of faith leaders who are fairly close to the administration, such as Michael Wear, former faith outreach director of Obama’s 2012 campaign for president.

“…It still may not be possible for all sides to reach a consensus on every issue,” the letter read. “That is why we are asking that an extension of protection for one group not come at the expense of faith communities whose religious identity and beliefs motivate them to serve those in need.”

But while the letter claimed to represent religious groups who “seek to serve in accordance with their faith and values,” it has triggered outrage among progressive religious groups who feel the signers don’t adequately represent America’s broader religious landscape. Faithful America, a progressive Christian organization, launched an online petition today decrying the letter and asking supporters to sign their name to a statement that read, “There’s nothing Christian about firing someone just because they’re gay or lesbian. Taxpayer dollars shouldn’t fund discrimination.” The petition, which posted late Thursday morning, has already garnered over 11,000 signatures.

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