Spencer v. World Vision, Inc.

World Vision Inc. maintains that it is a “religious corporation, association, educational institution, or society” and so not covered by Title VII’s prohibition against hiring or discharging employees on the basis of religion. See 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-1(a). If World Vision is right, then it may refuse to hire, and may fire, on the basis of their religious beliefs individuals — like the plaintiffs here — whose jobs have no religious element at all.

Judges O’Scannlain and Kleinfeld agree that World Vision qualifies for the exemption and so can insist that all of its employees share the…