News Notes: “Veganism” Isn’t A Religion

Southern California Permanente Medical Group revoked Jerold Friedman’s computer-related employment offer after he refused a required mumps immunization because the vaccine was grown in a chicken embryo. Friedman sued for religious discrimination, claiming the employer conditioned his employment on something that violated his vegan religious belief that it was immoral to kill and exploit animals, even for food, clothing and product safety testing. A California appeals court has now ruled that veganism, as defined by Friedman, was a moral philosophy—and not a religion under state anti-bias laws. That it has no religious ceremonies or teachings was further reason why it was not entitled to religious protection.