Humanitarian Group Is Religious Organization Under Title VII

In Spencer v. World Vision, Inc., 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 40938 (WD WA, May 21, 2008), a Washington federal district court was called on to determine whether World Vision, Inc. is a "religious association" under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Applying a 9-factor test, the court decided that the nonprofit Christian humanitarian organization at issue meets the requirements for a religious organization and thus, under 42 USC Sec. 2000e-1(a) is exempt from Title VII's ban on religious discrimination in employment.