Question:
While looking for a list of Christian businesses on the net, I can
across the following list of Christian Jobs.
http://www.christianet.com/christianjobs/computers.htm
Is this legal in the 'states - to presumably deny employment on the
basis of religion?
Answer:
-I do know that it is illegal to advertise in a newspaper for
employment, housing, etc. on a discriminatory basis of race, gender,
religion etc. It is also illegal in the US to deny employment,
raises or promotions on any discriminatory basis. You may not even
ask any of these questions during a job interview (although gender and
race are usually apparent).
I am sure that since the web is international, any advertising on it
is not subject to U.S. anti-discrimination or equal employment laws
- I don't think it's illegal to advertise anywhere you want... but it's
illegal to base hiring upon religion. I could run a help wanted ad in a gay
run paper, for instance, as well as mainstream, church, and neighborhood
publications. But if I only interviewed or hired based on which paper they
replied to I'd be running into some problems.
Many of the ads on that site are for religious organizations. I
checked media since I'm a writer. Most of them are church colleges or
religious radio stations, etc. Advertising openings for those on a
religious site makes some sense.
-it is not legal. Having spent many years hiring employees, and
advertising for such, I have to say that the Equal Opp. and Affirmative
Action laws are pretty clear on this fact.
Any atheist wishing to gain employment in one of these christian-based
businesses can probably do it just by not saying anything to indicate
religious affiliation, or lack of it.
