New US Labor Department rule expands religious exemption for federal contractors
RNS The US Department of Labor has issued a new rule intended to foster “full and equal participation” of religious groups as federal contractors. “Religious organizations should not have to fear that acceptance of a federal contract or subcontract will require them to abandon their religious character or identity,” said US Secretary of Labor Eugene […]
Religious vaccine exemption bill stokes controversy in US state of Connecticut
RNS A proposed bill that would prohibit parents from citing religious or philosophical beliefs when refusing to vaccinate their school-age children stoked uproar in the US state of Connecticut last week, with some protesting the legislation and others voicing support for immunisations. According to the Hartford Courant, hundreds of demonstrators descended on the Connecticut capitol […]
Government contractors could refuse LGBT+ workers under new US religious exemption
New York City, USThomson Reuters Foundation US businesses with Federal Government contracts would be allowed not to hire LGBT+ candidates on religious grounds under a proposed rule announced on Wednesday by the US Department of Labor. The policy change would state that government contractors, including universities, hospitals and corporations, can claim religious exemptions in employment […]
VACCINATIONS: FAITH IS NO EXCUSE FOR SKIPPING SHOTS, SAYS US MED SCHOOL PROFESSOR
TRACEY SIMMONS, of Religion News Service, reports from the US on the fight over vaccinations – and its intersection with faith…