“The Do No Harm Act will ensure that we honor two core American values: religious freedom and the promise of equal protection under the law,” said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United.

“The U.S. House of Representatives’ practice of having overwhelmingly Christian and monotheistic invocations does not reflect the religious pluralism of today’s America,” said Rachel Laser, AU’s president and CEO. “The chaplains offering invocations to the House should reflect this religious diversity.”

“This law does a great disservice to kids in care. Those children deserve loving, stable homes, and providing them should be Kansas’ first priority. Senate Bill 284 works against that principle by allowing state-funded agencies to turn away prospective parents – in the name of religion – because they’re a same-sex couple, interfaith, previously divorced or the ‘wrong religion.’ This law is indefensible," said AU President and CEO Rachel Laser.

“Religious freedom is a fundamental American value. So is protecting our children. Senate Bill 1140 violates both of these core principles," said AU Legislative Director Maggie Garrett. "Religion should never be used as an excuse to discriminate or cause harm to others, but this law gives taxpayer-funded child welfare agencies the authority to do just that."

Today at a National Day of Prayer ceremony, President Donald Trump, with his Evangelical Advisory Board at his side, will sign an executive order to further entrench policies to allow religion to discriminate.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State says this executive order will not protect religious freedom, but trample it.

“Our government should protect religious freedom, not use it as a sword to harm others,” said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United. “Our country is strongest when we are all free to believe, or not, as we see fit and to practice our faith without hurting others.”