An update from the Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy, an independent research project
of the Rockefeller Institute of Government. The public policy research arm of the State University of New York.

New! Religious Groups May Base Employment on Faith, Justice Department Says

A new Justice Department interpretation of a 14-year-old law appears to bolster the ability of religious charities
that provide services with federal funds to employ exclusively those of their own faith – even when the charity is
funded through federal programs that expressly prohibit basing employment decisions on religion. In a posting
on its website last month, the department's Office of Justice Programs recommends that faith-based
organizations be exempted from the employment nondiscrimination rules attached to some federal grants. In
order to qualify for the exemptions, the nonprofits would have to show that forgoing either their religious
preference in hiring or their capacity to provide services with federal funds would hinder their right to religious
exercise. The Justice Department bases its recommendation on the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993.

The determination is the latest salvo to be fired in a battle between the Bush Administration and Congress over
just how "religious" a faith-based organization may remain when it accepts public funds to provide services.

Click here to read more by Roundtable Correspondent Claire Hughes.

This story and the one that follows concerns one of the most prominent issues in the discussion over government
partnerships with religious charities – the hiring rights of faith-based groups that accept government funds. The
Roundtable has assembled a Resource Page with background on the issue as well as links to additional writings
and resources.

Click here for the Roundtable's Resource Page on the Hiring Rights of Religious Organizations.

New! Religious Employer Exemption Part of Gay Rights Bill Debate

The U.S. House of Representatives is slated this week to consider a bill to prohibit employment discrimination
on the basis of sexual orientation with an exemption for religious organizations that has caused consternation
among some faith leaders. Finding the precise language for religious exemptions to the prohibition has proved
difficult in recent weeks as differing groups objected over how broad or narrow the exemptions should be. Caught
in the middle is Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), the sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) of
2007, who says the latest version of the bill offers the broadest exemptions for religious groups possible while
also satisfying opponents who sought to kill the bill if the exemptions were defined too expansively.

On Monday night, a House committee voted to send Frank's bill to the full House for consideration with three
amendments, including one addressing the religious exemptions. Another amendment adds protection against
discrimination for gender identification, which includes transgender individuals. Frank had previously removed the
transgender amendment from the original bill because it proved too controversial among conservative Republicans.

So far the House bill has no companion legislation in the Senate. But it has already garnered the attention of the
White House, which last week stated that ENDA is likely unconstitutional. If it does pass Congress, senior aides
to President Bush would recommend a veto, according to a White House statement.

Click here to read more by Roundtable Washington Correspondent Anne Farris.

New! An Interview with John DiIulio

John J. DiIulio Jr. is the Frederic Fox Leadership Professor of Politics, Religion, and Civil Society and a professor
of political science at the University of Pennsylvania. He was the first person to head the White House Office of
Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, created by President George W. Bush in 2001 to encourage religious
and secular nonprofits to partner with the government to provide social services.

DiIulio's just-published book characterizes the United States neither as it is seen by the "religious purists" (as
a Christian nation) nor by the "strict secularists" (as a secular state), but as what the author terms a "godly
republic" marked by religious pluralism. This middle ground, he argues, allows for government partnerships with
faith-based organizations that may keep their religious identities intact. He spoke with the Roundtable primarily
about the book – "Godly Republic: A Centrist Blueprint for America's Faith-Based Future" – and also about his
thoughts about the Faith-Based and Community Initiative going forward.

Click here to read the interview.

Register Now! Roundtable Conference Features Latest on Faith-Based
Social Services

At the Roundtable's annual conference, noted political scientist John Green of the University of Akron will report
new findings from a national survey on the services provided by congregations and faith-based organizations, as
well as on their leaders' awareness and interest in participating in public programs to support or extend such
activities. Survey results will also include new findings on administrative practices and organizational characteristics
among congregations and faith-based organizations, with regard to their readiness to receive and account for public
funds in the form of government contracts or grants.

And the Roundtable's highly respected legal experts - Law Professors Ira C. Lupu and Robert W. Tuttle of
George Washington University - will give a thorough update on the year's most significant legal events
affecting government partnerships with religious charities. Topics include the implications of the U.S. Supreme
Court's decision in Hein v. Freedom From Religion Foundation, government chaplaincies, legislative earmarks
to religious groups, and the use of tax money to renovate religious structures. As close observers of the federal
Faith-Based and Community Initiative for the past six years, Lupu and Tuttle are able to provide context for the
latest developments and offer insights into what to watch for next.

If you want to keep up on the latest news on faith-based social services, you won't want to miss this year's
conference, which will be held Wednesday, December 5, in Washington D.C. The complete program will run
from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the National Press Club at 529 14th St. NW.

Register now! The conference is free, but you must register to attend.

Click here to submit your online registration.

Weekly Digest of Federal Grants with Faith-Based and Community
Organization Eligibility

The grant opportunities this week for community and faith-based organizations are through programs administered
by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of State.

Potential applicants should be aware that some grant programs require specific technical expertise, or experience
with particular foreign countries.

Click here for the grant digest.

Roundtable Digest of Current Faith-Based News Stories

Conference brings in faith-based, nonprofit groups; State lauded for faith-based help
Indianapolis Star

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7270

Jailhouse ministries a blessing; Counsel For Crowded Cells
The Myrtle Beach Sun-News (South Carolina)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7273

Lutherans Proceed With Next Steps in Southern California Wildfires
PR Newswire (Chicago)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7274

People of faith want farm bill to benefit all, not just a few
Des Moines Register

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7271

From bully pulpit, Pittsburgh police chief preaches faith-based policing
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Pennsylvania)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7252

Good job so far, but we still have a long way to go
The San Diego Union-Tribune

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7253

Naples-based faith group plans to build 'safe home' in Fort Myers
naplesnews.com

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7254

Chief of faith group named
The Enquirer (Cincinnati)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7272

Wal-Mart, BR church join forces to give help
The Advocate

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7250

Homeless problem requires regional solution, panel says
Plain Dealer (Cleveland)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7251

Future looks brighter for Boise's homeless:
City's patchwork of services for women, children and families grows
The Idaho Statesman (Boise)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7255

Faith and Fire
Religion and Ethics Newsweekly

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7256

Churches discuss wildfire response
Disaster News Network

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7258

Clinic adds flu shots to day laborers' checkups
The Stamford Advocate (Connecticut)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7259

Remarks by the First Lady in a Helping America's Youth Visit with the
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Southeast Louisiana; Good Shepherd Nativity Mission School
Business Wire

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7260

Report looks at kids left behind
Tulsa World (Oklahoma)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7257

Religious Earmarks on the Rise; Critics Worry That Federal Funds Are Subsidizing Evangelism
Roll Call

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7261

County's youth detention program offers ray of hope
The Dallas Morning News (Texas)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7262

Promising Results for Florida's Faith-Based Prison Ministry
The Living Church Foundation (Wisconsin)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7264

Genesis Foundation & Home Downpayment Gift Foundation Prevail;
Judge Orders A Halt to HUD's Anti-Homeownership Rule
PR Newswire

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7269

Group Opposes Okla. Immigration Law
The Associated Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7263

Weekly Opinion Roundup - 11/6/2007
The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/news_opinion_11_6_07.cfm