Hasan's attorneys "indicated their intent to file a request for exception to policy for religious accommodation to a higher command, " the media advisory said.

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Litzman wrote that after receiving a 97.6% on his entrance exam last year, he "inquired about keeping my naturally short beard intact" and filled out a religious accommodation form.

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As with most accommodation in religious establishments, the rooms are simple but welcoming, and six have balconies with enviable views.

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If Section 107 is analyzed as part of the employer assisted housing tax exemption, it appears to be a reasonable accommodation to religious freedom and constitutional.

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"We believe any further accommodation of religious conscience in UK equality law would create a damaging hierarchy of rights, with religion at the top, " he said.

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Earlier efforts to come to an accommodation with religious groups had run into problems because many large employers, including big Catholic institutions, self-insure, meaning they act as insurance companies by assuming the full responsibility for the health costs of their workers and use traditional insurance companies only for administrative services.

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The religious lawsuits have largely stalled, as the Department of Health and Human Services tries to develop an accommodation for faith groups.

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Both Ms Ladele and Mr McFarlane had argued in Strasbourg for "reasonable accommodation" - a compromise in which an employer would find alternative staff without conflicting religious convictions to perform the task.

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