Comment to Obama's Council on Faith-Based Partnerships

Obama's Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Parternships held a conference call today to make final changes and to vote on the recommendations and reports that they have prepared for the Obama administration.

The public was invited to listen in and make comments at the conclusion of the conference call. I joined the call and made the following comment:

First let me thank Melissa Rogers and the other members of the Council for the fine work they have done, so please do not take this comment as a criticism of your efforts.

Many of us are concerned that there be a recommendation that the President should revoke all executive orders, legal memoranda and other documents that state that religious organizations have a legal right to accept tax funds and discriminate in hiring on religious grounds. Many of us believe that tax-funded positions should be open to all Americans, regardless of what they believe or do not believe about religion.

I know that the Council did not address this issue, but it is a serious issue and it needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

The Obama administration referred this issue to the Department of Justice where it has languished for lack of attention.