I would consider that discrimination, unless it applied to all religions. e.g. if you're a Catholic, you can't interview a Catholic, etc. But even that I don't think would legally fly because (IANAL) I believe religion is a protected class.
It is not religious discrimination at all, and political discrimination is not illegal, so there isn't a legal issue with any of the scenarios you mentioned.
I think if they are going to allow discrimination for "religious" reasons, then I think then the whole issue is gone to dust. I should be able to discriminate against your religion then as well, because I am not religious.
The problem in this case would be they seem to be hiring almost exclusively from a rather obscure religious group. That means they're illegally discriminating against members other religions.
It seems to me that would be basically the same as an employer saying "We don't discriminate against your religion, we just won't allow you to practice it". If that's the case then protection from religious discrimination has no meaning.
What are your thoughts on religious discrimination? As a former christian, I am well aware that being a christian is not innate. Furthermore I consider christian doctrine to be inherently discriminatory against people like me. Should it be legal for me to bar christians from my restaurant?
It does not matter what religion the discriminator is, it is the act of discrimination based on a protected characteristic (in this case religion) which is illegal. Imagine a Jewish boss rejecting Jewish candidates because he does not want his company to get the reputation of being only for Jews to apply to, that would still be illegal discrimination, even if they are of the exact same religion.
Before you accuse me of making up a contrived example, that was exactly why the New York Times downplayed the Holocaust during WWII despite by that time uncontrovertible evidence, because they did not want to be perceived as a Jewish news outlet engaging in special pleading:
Your company should have legal counsel who can answer questions like this.
Religious discrimination applies to individuals in hiring or school admissions situations. Companies can generally reserve the right to not do business with a customer for any reason, but various legal precedents might apply, so it depends.
It is discriminatory to treat someone differently because of an attribute they have which they cannot change. So, for example, I shouldn't refuse to photograph weddings of same-sex couples, or midgets, or disabled persons etc.
I could easily see this Quran-burning pastor suing on the grounds that he was discriminated against.
How could he claim that? Federal law forbids discrimination in hiring based on religion, but that doesn't mean once I hire a Muslim worker because of his ability to perform the job I have to allow him to take out a rug, kneel and pray for an hour each day while on the clock. He still has to play by my rules, which are applied equally to everyone.
You might be able to discriminate against potential employees based on their obvious stupidity, but you might be on less certain ground when they claim it is a religious viewpoint?
Religion is a proxy for culture, which is generally a protected class for the most part since you don't chose the culture that you grow up in.
Furthermore, companies are allowed to discriminate on aspects of religion/culture - not allowing time for prayers, requiring certain dress code, e.t.c.
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