About Americans United

Americans United (AU) is the only organization dedicated solely to defending the separation of church and state. We are the shield protecting the foundational American principle of freedom of religion — including the right to believe or not believe — for all.

We are people of faith and people who don’t profess any particular faith.

We are lawyers and advocates, students and activists, religious leaders and impassioned Americans.

We are a community that includes and welcomes people of all races, ethnicities, religions or beliefs, genders and gender identities, sexual orientations, ages, classes and abilities.

We bring together people from all walks of life.

We come together to ensure:

Religion does not dictate public policy.

The government does not tell Americans what to believe or how to practice their faith.

Discrimination is not justified under the guise of religion.

Happy older couple stand together smiling in front of a pretty mural

Our Vision

We envision a nation where we are all free to believe or not believe as we choose, where our laws don’t allow anyone to use their religious beliefs to harm others, and where we can come together as equals to build a stronger democracy.

Our Mission

Americans United for Separation of Church and State is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit educational and advocacy organization that brings together people of all religions and none to protect the right of everyone to believe as they want — and stop anyone from using their beliefs to harm others. We fight in the courts, legislatures, and the public square for freedom without favor and equality without exception.

Making history is what we do

For 75 years, Americans United has been the shield defending church-state separation in courts, in Congress, in state legislatures and in communities like yours.

BREAKING NEWS

Americans United & the National Women’s Law Center file suit to challenge Missouri’s abortion bans.

Abortion bans violate the separation of church and state. Americans United and the National Women’s Law Center—the leading experts in religious freedom and gender justice—have joined forces with thirteen clergy from six faith traditions to challenge Missouri’s abortion bans as unconstitutionally imposing one narrow religious doctrine on everyone.


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