US State Department Staff instructed to report colleagues for ‘anti-Christian bias’
The US State Department Orders Staff to Report Anti-Christian Bias
The US State Department has issued a directive to its staff to report instances of perceived “anti-Christian bias” during the Biden administration. This move is part of former President Donald Trump’s aggressive efforts to influence government policy on religious expression. The internal memo, obtained by The Guardian, allows employees just seven days to report any religious discrimination, with a focus on Christianity.
The directive stems from an executive order signed by Trump in February, which aimed to combat what he referred to as the “anti-Christian weaponization of government.” The State Department has instructed staff to report any mistreatment or discrimination related to religious beliefs, with a specific emphasis on Christianity.
Examples of bias that the department wants to be reported include opposition to displays of flags, banners, or symbols, as well as policies related to preferred personal pronouns that may be seen as discriminatory towards religious employees. The directive encourages anonymous reporting, with employees asked to provide details such as names, dates, and locations of alleged incidents.
While discrimination based on any religion is prohibited by federal law, the focus on “anti-Christian bias” in the directive has raised concerns among some State Department employees. The document also mentions consequences for refusing to participate in events or activities that conflict with one’s religious beliefs, potentially including diversity initiatives and LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts.
The State Department is compiling examples of reported incidents for a preliminary report due in April, as part of a government-wide assessment scheduled for June. Some employees have expressed shock at the directive, with one official comparing the situation to a scene from “The Handmaid’s Tale.” The directive has sparked a debate about the role of religion in government affairs and the importance of upholding the principles of religious freedom as outlined in the First Amendment.
