Religious Liberty
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
Appeals Court Rules Private Schools Receiving State Funds Cannot Discriminate
The U.S. Court of Appeals rejected arguments from religious schools asserting they should be exempt from laws prohibiting discrimination based on faith, gender identity, and sexual orientation even when receiving state funds.
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.
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
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.
Cases, Campaigns & Legislation
Jul 2, 2026
St. Dominic Academy v. Makin – Separation of Church and State
Crosspoint Church sought an exemption from Maine law so it could discriminate against students while receiving state funds. 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.
Jul 2, 2026
Crosspoint Church v. Makin – Separation of Church and State
Crosspoint Church, which operates Bangor Christian School, sought an exemption from state law so it could openly discriminate against LGBTQ students while receiving taxpayer education funds at the same time.
Jun 21, 2022
Carson v. Makin - Separation of Church and State
In October 2021, we filed an amicus brief in the Supreme Court of the United States arguing that a Maine law prohibiting the use of taxpayer funding for religious instruction at religious schools was constitutional. For the first time, the Court explicitly required taxpayers to support religious education.
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