Rule would require ministries to employ those who opposed their faith
By Bob Unruh
A panel of judges at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has heard arguments from the state of Washington, where officials want to force a church organization to hire and employ workers who refuse to follow its faith standards.
The case involves Union Gospel Mission of Yakima, which sued the state for a “Washington Law Against Discrimination” that it explains violates its constitutionally protected religious rights.
The state’s intent is to prevent ministries from hiring only people who share their faith, for nonministerial positions.
The issue brought up a question from U.S. Circuit Judge Daniel Bress, who wondered, “What is a church supposed to do? If somebody applies and says, ‘I just strongly disagree with the church’s religious beliefs,’ would we say they have, nonetheless, a state law right, to be able to be considered irrespective of that?”