Can Religious Practice be Considered in Employment Decisions?

Both federal and Kentucky state law prohibit religious discrimination in employment. But what does this mean? Can an employee's or an applicant's religious practice be considered in employment decisions such as hiring, promotions, raises? 

The answer is "no" and the Supreme Court stated the simple rule recently:

An employer may not make an applicant’s religious practice, confirmed or otherwise, a factor in employment decisions. 

This simple rule was announced in the recent decision, EEOC v Abercrombie & Fitch, which is further discussed in another post: Religious Discrimination-the Supreme Court Announces a Rule.