Exclusion of Faith Based Charities From Iowa "One Gift" Program Challenged

An Alliance Defense Fund release reports that on Wednesday, the Association of Faith-Based Organizations filed suit in an Iowa federal district court challenging the exclusion of faith-based organizations from Iowa's "One Gift" program. The program allows state employees to donate by payroll deduction to any of over 400 participating charities. In order to participate an organization must pledge not to discriminate on the basis of religious belief in employment. Any charity "engaged in any way in sectarian activities, including activities aimed at promoting the adoption or defeat of any one or more religious viewpoints" also is ineligible to participate in the program. The complaint (full text) in Association of Faith Based Organizations v. Anderson alleges that the exclusions violate the speech, free exercise and establishment clauses of the First amendment as well as the 14th Amendment's due process clause.