Most people are familiar with federal law prohibiting workplace discrimination based on religion. In case you aren't, I'll quote it for you.

This is from United States Code, Title 42 - The Public Health and Welfare, Chapter 21 - Civil Rights, Subchapter VI - Equal Employment Opportunities, Sec. 2000e-2 - Unlawful employment practices.

(a) Employer practices
It shall be an unlawful employment practice for an employer -

(1) to fail or refuse to hire or to discharge any individual, or otherwise to discriminate against any individual with respect to his compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of such individual's race, color, religion, sex, or national origin; or
(2) to limit, segregate, or classify his employees or applicants for employment in any way which would deprive or tend to deprive any individual of employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect his status as an employee, because of such individual's race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

(b) Employment agency practices
It shall be an unlawful employment practice for an employment agency to fail or refuse to refer for employment, or otherwise to discriminate against, any individual because of his race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, or to classify or refer for employment any individual on the basis of his race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Pretty straightforward, huh? At least, as much as legal doctrine ever is. So you'd think that companies would be careful not to violate such a rule, wouldn't you?

Well, there's an online job search site that is riding a very fine line between providing a specific service and perpetuating discriminatory practices. It's called Christian Jobs Online. To save myself the task of explaining what they do, I'll let them tell you in their own words:

CHRISTIAN JOBS ONLINE was founded to assist the Christian job seeker in finding employment with organizations that are also committed to Christ. All individuals and organizations that use CHRISTIAN JOBS ONLINE will be asked to sign a Statement of Faith. No one is required to sign the Statement of Faith, but only those that do will be displayed with the "CJO" logo. The "CJO" logo is your assurance that the individual or organization is committed to Jesus in their lives, and in their everyday actions.

Oh, and the "Statement of Faith" is precious. I simply must share it with you:

I have confessed Jesus as my Lord and Savior and believe that God raised Him from the dead for my salvation.

(Rom 10:9-13 NRSV) "because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. {10} For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. {11} The scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame." {12} For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. {13} For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.""

It is my desire to glorify Him in all that I do.

(1 Cor 10:31 NRSV) "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God."

(Rom 1:9 NKJV) "For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son..."

(Col 3:23 NIV) "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men…"

Anyway, the whole thing sounds pretty suspicious, doesn't it? Care to guess how they think they're getting around violating of the Civil Rights Act? Here you go:

To avoid any form of discrimination, CHRISTIAN JOBS ONLINE does not exclude anyone from using its services.

I wonder just who this group thinks they're kidding. This discrimination is so thinly disguised that it could be identified by Mr. Magoo. Like anyone but a Christian would want to use this service, right?

Naturally, I filled out their "Comments" section with words to this effect, way back in February. I have yet to hear a response.

Big surprise.

Can you imagine what would happen if we turned the tables a bit? Freethought Jobs Online! Featuring employers looking for employees who share a common view of religion as destructive and wasteful.

We'd be sued in a heartbeat.

So the next time some Christian acquaintance moans about workplace discrimination against religious people, tell them to shut up.

E-mail me!