au.org

Is it time to turn the tables on the religious right? If they want to make defunding planned parenthood their prime goal, then perhaps it’s time to defund faith based initiatives that violate constitutional principles.

As Resnick notes, “While federal law prohibits employment discrimination based on religious beliefs, there is an exception for religious organizations - a category that seems to include the Rapid City center and other [crisis pregnancy centers]. And in many cases, it’s perfectly legal for these groups to receive taxpayer funding, even if they practice religious hiring discrimination.”

This is more fallout from the ill-conceived “faith-based” initiative. For years, Americans United has warned that allowing sectarian organizations to take public funds and discriminate in hiring on religious grounds is unfair. This policy, combined with the rabid determination of lawmakers to control the private health matters of the people, has created this perfect storm.

The first step is to cut off all public money to these “crisis” clinics. They have the right to exist, but they should be treated like what they are, religious ministries, and denied tax aid. Let them get by on voluntary donations.