Groups press Obama on religious hiring

WASHINGTON (RNS) Dozens of religious and civil rights organizations
challenged President Obama to fulfill a campaign promise to end
religious discrimination in federally funded jobs.

"Mr. President, we have been patiently waiting," said the open
letter sent on Monday (Sept. 19). "If you have reversed your policy
position on the issue of government-funded religious discrimination, we
need to know that."

The coalition of 56 religious, education, civil rights and health
organizations expressed "deep concern" about comments Obama made in July
that religious organizations have "more leeway" to "hire somebody who is
a believer of that particular religious faith."