I would hope we’ll look back in history at the idea of discriminating with government money against protected categories as one of those mystifying artifacts of the past in the not-too-distant future.” – Rabbi David Saperstein, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism joined almost 70 other activist and civil rights groups in calling on President Obama to refuse to expand “religious exemption” language in his anticipated executive order extending workplace non-discrimination protections to LGBT employees of federal contractors. Interfaith Alliance was among the signatories as well. You can read the full text of the letter here. A separate letter, signed by over 100 progressive faith leaders, including State of Belief host and Interfaith Alliance President Welton Gaddy – was sent to the White House to counter conservative leaders’ call for an expanded set of “religious exemptions.” Update: the White House has announced that President Obama will sign the executive order on Monday (July 21) with no additional “religious exemptions.”
Exemptions and the Executive Order: David Saperstein State of Belief Interview, July 19, 2014