I can’t believe I missed this. Little reported in both the main stream media and the blogosphere, the House of Representatives passed the School Readiness Act two weeks ago. A simple spending bill, “To reauthorize the Head Start Act to improve the school readiness of disadvantaged children, and for other purposes”, as the bill was known when it was introduced back in May. But the devil is in the details as they say, rather in this case the religious fundamentalists are in the details.

In an amendment introduced by Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) at the last minute, just two hours before the bill was voted on, the House narrowly approved exempting “religious corporations, associations, educational institutions, or societies from certain nondiscrimination provisions of the bill”. In short, the amendment allows faith-based groups accepting Head Start funds to discriminate in their hiring by considering the religious beliefs of potential employees. Nothing new here, the amendment echoes language in the Head Start bill passed last year.

I don’t think anyone would quibble with religious organizations discriminating in their hiring based on faith. After all, a Christian church should be able to decide that they don’t want a Satanist for a deacon. While that may be a rather extreme example, this is precisely the tact that right wing proponents of the legislation are taking.

“It’s hard to imagine seriously that faith-based organizations could possibly continue to exist if they couldn’t openly take account of faith when they hire,” said Stanley Carson-Thies of the Center for Public Justice.

That view was echoed by Heritage Foundation researchers Grace Smith and Jonathan Butcher in a recent analysis of the issue. “The leadership and personnel of any organization determine its priorities, carry out its mission, and embody its values,” they wrote.

Ah, the poor persecuted U.S. Christians again. That 77% minority that finds it’s identity under constant attack by the 23% who don’t believe as they do. Which is I guess is why they feel they need special legislation that allows federal money to be spent so they can safely exercise their religious freedoms.

Oh please! I have trouble seeing how this legislation is not in direct violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 much less the establishment clause of the first amendment although I’m sure some slimy right wing lawyer could tell me how I’m wrong. That both this amendment and the amended legislation passed is indicative of how far the civic values of this country have been warped, almost beyond recognition.

Note: This was originally posted on the first version of Neural Gourmet on Oct. 3, 2005. It has been reposted here to test the image handling functions.