SW News: On Monday, nine federal agencies in the United States announced a new rule intended to protect the first amendment rights of religiously affiliated organizations. This now means that such organizations will be entitled to equal treatment in programs supported by these departments, irrespective of their affiliation with a religion. Among the participating departments are those of Education, Justice, Homeland Security, and the Department for International Development. The new rule has been implemented in response to a 2018 Executive Order called “Establishment of a White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative”, and has been further developed since the publication of draft rules in January of this year. According to a release from the Department of Education, the rule “clarifies that religious organizations do not lose their legal protections and rights just because they participate in federal programs and activities.” Previously, religiously affiliated organizations could be obliged to separate religious activities from activities supported by federal funding.