Discrimination law can tolerate exceptions

Abstract

Religious accommodations have been granted only when this can be done without defeating the purposes of the law. This chapter examines the purposes of antidiscrimination law. That body of law is an exception to the normal rule of contract at will. Generally, one may refuse to deal for any reason at all. Legislation is only necessary when discrimination is ubiquitous. The law can thus achieve its ends while excusing idiosyncratic dissenters. The harms that have been attributed to discrimination, such as damage to full citizenship status and dignitary harm, are carefully unpacked.