ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the inequalities created by equality law within and between religious precincts. It considers inequities arising from the Act's provisions concerning the gender exemption exercisable by a minister of religion, working with co-religionists, and the Public Sector Equality Duty. The chapter proposes that might alleviate the current situation in which equality law sometimes contributes to, rather than alleviates, inequalities within religious groups, or sacrifices the communal religious freedoms of a host religious community in favor of the individual religious freedoms of guests or employees. It examines religious belief as a catalyst for social action and welfare benefit, and, as an example of the State's approach, to consider the role of such delivery in attaining charitable status. The report underlines the desire of many religious charities to engage in service delivery as a product of religious belief, not necessarily as a vehicle to promote it. Employees' rights to religious non-discrimination are generally protected under the Equality Act.
