Participation in Social Service programs do not endanger legal rights and protections.
This week the Department of Education announced a joint final rule, with eight other federal agencies, that implements President Trump’s executive order on the Establishment of a White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative from May of 2018. The rule safeguards the legal protections and rights of religious organizations that participate in federal programs, and ensures equal treatment of religious and non-religious organizations. The Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, and Veterans Affairs collaborated in the drafting and issuing of the rule.
“Religious liberty is a bedrock founding principle that this Administration consistently demonstrates its commitment to vigorously defend,” said Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. “At the Department of Education, we’re continuing to ensure faith-based organizations, including faith-based institutions, do not give up their First Amendment rights as a condition of participating in taxpayer programs. We will continue to ensure faith-based educational providers are treated equally alongside their secular counterparts. Under this Administration, religious discrimination in education is never tolerated.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- That religious freedom would continue to be defended at all levels of government.
- That the federal agencies’ rule succeeds in safeguarding faith-based organizations.
- For President Trump as he seeks to protect the freedom of religion.
Sources: Department of Education
