Religious Liberty

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The ACLU strives to safeguard the First Amendment's guarantee of religious liberty by ensuing that laws and governmental practices do not promote religion, favor particular faiths over others, or interfere with individuals' right to practice their faith. These complimentary protections allow religious liberty and diversity to thrive.

The Latest

News & Commentary
Two street signs at an intersection on a pole reading Church St on one and State St on the other.

Lawmakers Can't Turn Classrooms Into Sunday Schools

From Arkansas to Oklahoma, politicians are pushing religion into public schools. The ACLU is fighting back to defend church-state separation and students’ rights.
News & Commentary
A half-lowered US flag waves in front of the US Supreme Court.

Takeaways from the Supreme Court's Term

This term was marked by sharp right turns in major civil rights cases, a mixed record on lower-profile cases, and mixed outcomes in an ascendant emergency docket
News & Commentary
A Pride supporter (whose face cannot be seen) holds an Intersex-inclusive Pride Flag in their hair while facing the Supreme Court.

What the 303 Creative Decision Means for Anti-Discrimination and Public Accommodation Laws

Businesses offering expressive services do not have a First Amendment right to refuse to serve customers based on their identity. The SCOTUS decision merely recognizes a business’s right to choose not to sell certain products to anyone.
Press Release
Church and State Must Be Separate

ACLU Comment on Supreme Court Decision in Carson v. Makin

The Supreme Court issued a ruling today in Carson v. Makin that requires the state of Maine to fund religious education at private religious schools as part of its tuition assistance program.
Issue Areas: Religious Liberty, Youth Rights
Court Case
Jun 13, 2023

Ensuring Public Dollars Are Never Used to Discriminate – St. Dominic Academy v. Makin

Crosspoint Church wants to exclude students from publicly funded education based on their identity. The right to discriminate has never been recognized by any court, and any school that wants to participate in state educational programs must play by the same rules as all others.
Court Case
May 02, 2023

Ensuring Public Dollars Are Never Used to Discriminate – Crosspoint Church v. Makin, et al.

Crosspoint Church wants to exclude students from publicly funded education based on their identity. The right to discriminate has never been recognized by any court, and any school that wants to participate in state educational programs must play by the same rules as all others.