Colorado Governors’ Prayer Proclamations Violate State Constitution, Says Americans United

Church-State Watchdog Group Tells State Supreme Court To Uphold Appeals Court Ruling

Nov 11, 2013

Several Colorado governors violated the state constitution by declaring a Colorado Day of Prayer, Americans United for Separation of Church and State told the Colorado Supreme Court in a friend-of-the-court brief.

The brief was filed Friday afternoon in support of the plaintiffs in Freedom From Religion Foundation v. Hickenlooper. Read more

D.C. Federal Appeals Court Ruling On Contraceptives Is Misguided, Says Americans United

Church-State Watchdog Group Criticizes Ruling That Allows Owners Of Secular Corporations To Curb Employee Access To Birth Control

Nov 1, 2013

A federal appeals court ruling today that allows owners of secular for-profit corporations to refuse to provide certain forms of birth control to their employees is a dangerous distortion of the concept of religious freedom, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Read more

For-Profit Florida Firm Has No Religious Freedom Right To Deny Workers Access To Contraceptives, Says Americans United

Church-State Watchdog Group And Allies Tell Appeals Court To Rule Against Beckwith Electric Company

Oct 29, 2013

A Florida company that manufactures electrical products cannot exercise religion and therefore cannot exempt itself from the Affordable Care Act’s contraception mandate, Americans United has told a federal appeals court.
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Americans United And Allied Groups Ask Federal Court To Nullify Nevada And Hawaii Bans On Same-Sex Marriage

Marriage Prohibitions Violate Genuine Religious Freedom, Coalition Asserts

Oct 28, 2013

Americans United for Separation of Church and State has joined a legal brief asking the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to nullify amendments to the state constitutions of Nevada and Hawaii that prohibit same-sex marriage. Read more

Federal Appeals Court Says For-Profit Firm Is Not A Person With Right To Exercise Religious Freedom

Americans United Asked Court Not To Grant Exemption From Birth Control Mandate To Secular Corporation

Oct 25, 2013

A Michigan-based for-profit business that produces organic foods has no right to an exemption from the Obama administration’s birth control mandate, a federal appeals court ruled yesterday. Read more

Maryland Town Council Agrees To Discontinue Recitation Of Lord’s Prayer At Meetings

Brentwood Council Ends Official Invocations Thanks To Complaint Brought By Americans United On Behalf Of Local Residents

Oct 18, 2013

The Brentwood (Md.) Town Council has agreed to permanently stop reciting the Lord’s Prayer before its meetings, Americans United for Separation of Church and State announced today.

The council agreed Wednesday to discontinue the sectarian invocation as part of a settlement in Pomerleau v. Town of Brentwood.

The Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director, expressed satisfaction with the council’s decision. Read more

For-Profit Corporation Is Not A Person With Ability To Exercise Religious Freedom Rights, Federal Court Says

Americans United Advised Court To Rule Against Secular Firms Seeking Exemption From Birth Control Mandate

Sep 17, 2013

A Michigan-based for-profit business that manufactures fuel systems, power-steering systems and medical devices does not have the right to an exemption from the Obama administration’s birth control mandate, a federal appeals court ruled today. Read more

Supreme Court Should Not Permit Sectarian Prayers Before Local Board Meetings, Says Americans United

Church-State Watchdog Group Urges High Court To Require Town Board To Respect Religious Minorities’ Freedom of Conscience

Sep 16, 2013

Citizens should not be required to participate in prayers – let alone prayers that are faith-specific – in order to participate in local government, Americans United for Separation of Church and State told the U.S. Supreme Court.

In a brief being filed today with the high court, Americans United argues that many citizens have no choice but to attend these meetings when they are seeking board action on local issues or must take an oath of office or receive public honors. Read more

Texas Public School Cheerleaders Have No Right To Display Bible Verse Signs, Groups Say

Religious And Public Policy Organizations Advise Texas Court To Curb On-Field Proselytizing

Sep 6, 2013

A Texas public school may curb cheerleaders from displaying large banners bearing Bible verses during football games, Americans United for Separation of Church and State and a coalition of religious and public policy groups have advised a state court. Read more

Congress Should Ignore Report Calling For Legalization Of Pulpit Politicking, Says Americans United

Church-State Watchdog Group Says Pastors Must Not Be Allowed To Engage In Partisan Activity

Aug 14, 2013

Congress should ignore a proposal by a group of evangelical and other religious organizations recommending that lawmakers end the prohibition against pulpit politicking, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State.   Read more

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