Religious Discrimination

Matthew should seriously consider seeking counsel from his local municipality leaders. What he is proposing flies in the face of nondiscrimination legislation, and he is opening himself up to legal battles he is most definitely not prepared to face. As the nature of his company in a for-profit, business endeavor with no religious mission or affiliation, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission specifically prohibits discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, nationality or religion. (The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)

From a Great Commission perspective, it would not be prudent to hire only Christians. If Matthew's mission as a Christian is to spread the gospel, how then does isolating the very group he is trying to reach further his mission? Because he owns the business, he can incorporate his own emphasis, thereby proclaiming his Savior to his employees. He has a fantastic opportunity to be a light in a dark place if he does not seal off his mission field in the hiring process.

If Matthew sought rather to open a Christian school or other religious-based organization, other legislation may apply. Certain religious institutions are exempt from the Civil Rights Act. As example, World Vision, a U.S.-based religious organization, was taken to court by three employees who were terminated based upon their denial of Jesus being fully God. The employees argued that World Vision had no right to discriminate based on their religious belief. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of World Vision, based upon their clear mission as a religious entity, and their subsequent exemption from federal law outlining religious nondiscrimination. 15 months after the original hearing, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the case, thereby validating the original ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (Miller, 2011).

Christians today need to be vigilant in their faith. Instead of exercising isolation, we must live each day to its fullest in light of the changed heart we have received from Christ. We must share the wonderful news of the gospel with those who may not know. Cutting ties with unbelievers goes against everything Christ did on earth.

In Matthew 9:11-13, Jesus meets unashamedly with unbelievers. "And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."(ESV)

I believe this to be a clear pattern of how a Christian should interact with the world.