Americans United for Separation of Church and State today announced that it had reached an agreement to settle a lawsuit challenging a veterans memorial in King, N.C., that contained Christian symbols.
The King City Council voted 3-2 last night to approve the settlement agreement. Read more
Americans United for Separation of Church and State and its allies have asked a federal appeals court to uphold a lower court’s ruling that struck down Florida’s ban on same-sex marriage.
Read more
Americans United for Separation of Church and State today issued the following statement about the vandalism of the Satanic Temple’s display at the State Capitol Rotunda in Tallahassee, Fla.:
“This act of mindless vandalism should be condemned by all decent people and all those who support true freedom of religion. It’s important to remember that free speech in an open forum is for all groups, even those whose message some deem controversial or unpopular. Read more
A towering Latin cross that sits atop Mt. Soledad in California is not a generic symbol of military sacrifice, Americans United for Separation of Church and State says. Read more
Ohio officials may not require public school districts to partner with churches and faith-based organizations as a condition of taking part in a tax-funded mentoring program, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
In a letter sent to Ohio officials, Americans United explains that the Community Connectors program, which provides $10 million in 3-to-1 matching grants, violates the First Amendment because it gives religious organizations priority over secular groups. Read more
Americans United for Separation of Church and State today told Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal to end his sponsorship and endorsement of an evangelistic Christian rally, saying his behavior is inappropriate and possibly illegal.
Jindal used official state letterhead to invite residents to “The Response-Louisiana,” a fundamentalist Christian event that, in Jindal’s words, promotes the idea that “Jesus Christ, Son of God and the Lord of Life, is America’s only hope.”
Read more
Americans United for Separation of Church and State today released an in-depth report that debunks claims by Religious Right groups that religious liberty in the military is under siege.
The AU report, “Clear and Present Falsehoods: The Real State of Religious Freedom in the Military,” responds to an earlier report by the Family Research Council (FRC) that purported to list widespread instances of religious liberty violations in the armed forces.
Read more
Abercrombie & Fitch company policies that banned religious headgear violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Americans United for Separation of Church and State says in a brief filed before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Americans United joined a friend-of-the-court brief filed by the American Jewish Committee in the matter of EEOC v. Abercrombie & Fitch. The case will be heard by the Supreme Court this term. Read more
A proposed theme park based on the story of Noah’s Ark will not receive tax incentives from the state of Kentucky, officials announced today.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State hailed the move.
“This project was never a good candidate for public funding,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “Its purpose is to promote fundamentalist Christianity, and it should be funded with private contributions from believers.”
Read more
Americans United for Separation of Church and State today announced that officials in Florida have agreed to allow the Satanic Temple to erect a holiday display at the State Capitol in Tallahassee this month.
Although officials had previously labeled the display “offensive,” they reversed themselves after Americans United threatened to file a lawsuit on the Temple’s behalf.
Read more
