Workplace Religious Freedom Act

For this entry I’ll go a bit out of the usual scope of this blog (Jewish Muslim relations.) Hillary Clinton and John Kerry cosponsored a bill titled Workplace Religious Freedom Act. Its aim is to guarantee the right to religious expression on the job. I mention it here because its wide support by a “40-strong coalition of leading clerics representing nearly every denomination—from Jewish to Catholic, Hindu, Muslim, and Seventh-Day Adventist.” Here is a rather balanced Village Voice piece on it, listing arguments of both sides, both the supporters and the opponents. The examples given are multicultural, using Jewish, Sikh, Christian and Muslim issues. Supporters say it will protect religious freedom, so practitioners wouldn’t have to choose between a careers and their faith. Opponents charge that the language of the proposed bill is too vague and can endanger lifes, harm clients. I haven’t read the actual bill itself, and glad that not in position of making a decision about it. I agree with both sides. I would be happy to see workplaces as a peaceful pluralistic places, but also understand that this freedom cannot extend to harm other people’s choices and rights. I will be watching for the outcome. Meanwhile I acknowledge that Muslim and Jewish clerics can join in with each other and others in figthing for their constituencies’ rights.