Baptist Church to Open Subway Franchise

God and Mammon aren't normally quite so united as this: the True Bethel Baptist Church in Buffalo, New York, will soon open a Subway franchise on its property. According to the Rev. Darius Pridgen, the purpose is to raise money and to provide job training for younger members of the congregation.

The Subway will operate just like any other franchise location - presumably this means that there will be not discrimination when it comes to hiring, firing, and other employment issues. But surely since this store will be used in the church's religious mission, such discrimination would be justified? That's the argument used by those who would like to be able to discriminate when administering federal funds for social programs.

And what about taxes? If the Subway is operated as a means of raising funds for the church, will it be exempt from local taxes? That would put other dining places at a serious disadvantage.

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