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.
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.
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.
We advocate. We change policy. We take it to the courts.
We work on the most critical issues affecting your freedom and equality: racial and religious equality, public schools, abortion access, LGBTQ equality, and protecting all Americans from discrimination based on religious belief.
All of us at AU are clear that it’s our job to fight for an inclusive America. And we know that the need to achieve our mission couldn’t be more dire. America needs a national recommitment to church-state separation.Rachel Laser, President & CEO
Who we are
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.
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.
