ACLU: Defense Bill Conscience Clause Could Shield Discrimination

Accommodating principles and beliefs might encompass bigotry, says the group

President Obama has signed the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes a troubling provision that compels the military to accommodate the conscience, moral principles, or religious beliefs of all members of the armed forces without accounting for the effect an accommodation would have.

At the same time, the president acknowledged that the provision, Section 533, is unnecessary and ill-advised, noting that the military already appropriately protects the freedom of conscience of chaplains and service members.

"The language is too broad," said Laura Murphy, director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office, who cautioned that it could lead to claims of a right to discriminate.