SPECIAL COMMENTARY BUSH: UNITER OR DIVIDER? from page 31 Religious Coercion President Bush's plan would allow pervasively sectarian government con- tractors to discriminate in hiring for government-funded programs based upon religious belief. Under current law, houses of worship and certain religious institutions are granted an exemption from the prohibi- tion on religious discrimination in hir- ing, allowing them to discriminate in favor of hiring those who share their religious beliefs. Those operating tax- payer-funded programs however, may not engage in the same practice. With- out safeguards in place, it is not incon- ceivable that a job announcement for a government supported social program could read "Catholics and Jews Need Not Apply." In addition, clients could face reli- gious coercion or indoctrination as they receive services in a pervasively sectarian environment, replete with religious symbols and literature from religious workers whose primary mis- sion may be to promote their religious beliefs and practices. Many American Jews, listening to prayers at public ceremonies, are dis- mayed when clergy offer their invoca- tions in the names of Jesus Christ, or the Holy Trinity, which excludes those who do not believe in Jesus. As has happened in previous inau- gurations, the clergy at President Bush's swearing in ceremony offered such prayers. The Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell offered his prayer at the conclusion of the inauguration ceremony "in the name that's above all other names, Jesus, the Christ. Let all who agree say, 'Amen.'" Perhaps President Bush should take the example of the Rev. Caldwell, who subsequently apologized. "If I had to do it over again," Rev. Caldwell told the Washington Post, "I probably would not say, All who agree, say Amen.' Addi- tionally, I probably would not say 'Jesus, the name that's above all other names.' That truly could be interpreted as inflammatory or offensive." If Bush's programs go forward, it will not be long before America's parochial schools and social service providers con- front the need to offer such apologies. But their apologies will be for govern- ment-sanctioned exclusion. We will work to convince Presi- dent Bush that even as his priorities are right his solutions are misguid- ed. And we will work tirelessly to ensure that Congress stands firm against all threats to religious free- dom. ❑ Let one wed outing lead you to another. Take a trip to the Detroit Zoo during Wild Winter and you could win a Wild Trip, In the Wild Winter Getaway Sweepstakes courtesy of the Detroit Zoo and MLT Vacations. just visit Wild Winter at the Detroit Zoo. Open daily, from 10-4, through February. 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