ABSTRACT
This chapter attempts to answer the question as to whether a religious minister can be regarded as an employee of the church or not. It focuses on religious ministers and discrimination and the right of religious organisations to appoint or not to appoint office holders, with specific reference to the example of homosexuality. The right to freedom of religion includes the right of religious organisations to appoint their religious leaders in accordance with their own religious convictions. Access to institutions such as schools, universities, hospitals, prisons and the armed forces are often provided for in the form of chaplaincies and is an important task performed by various church and religious leaders. The Chaplains Service representing a cross-section of the religious communities in South Africa, provides spiritual leadership to DOD members at home and on deployment in order to build human capacity that enhances spiritual, ethical and human wholeness.
