U.S. law at all levels
contains anti-discrimination provisions, designed to reflect principles of
equality and inclusion. At the same time, areas of U.S. law reflect principles
of religious accommodation and exemption, that are well ensconced in Constitutional
law. Yet religious rights and religious exemption laws have had a long history
of conflict with anti-discrimination laws. The resolution of these conflicts
has traditionally been that religious motivation did not generally provide
exemptions from civil rights laws. This resolution, however, appears to be
under increasing attack in recent years and the Supreme Court has modified that
traditional approach with decisions such as Hosanna-Tabor
and Hobby Lobby. This panel will
examine these conflicts and explore how U.S. laws should best seek to achieve
equality and inclusion for all.
Business
meeting at program conclusion.