Pa. House Of Representatives Can’t Discriminate Against Non-Theists, Americans United And American Atheists Say In Lawsuit

Legislative Body’s Exclusionary Invocation Policy Is Unconstitutional, Church-State Watchdogs Assert

Aug 25, 2016

A Pennsylvania House of Representatives’ policy barring people who do not believe in God from offering pre-meeting invocations is discriminatory, Americans United for Separation of Church and State says.

In a federal lawsuit filed today, Americans United and American Atheists explain that several non-theists who requested to deliver opening invocations before the House were deemed ineligible on the grounds that they are “non-adherents or nonbelievers.”

GOP Call To Repeal Ban On Church Politicking Is ‘Reckless And Corrosive To Religious Life,’ Says Americans United’s Lynn

Changing Federal Law Could Dramatically Escalate Partisan Activity In Houses Of Worship, Church-State Watchdog Says

Jul 19, 2016

The Republican Party platform approved yesterday includes a call for altering federal law to allow houses of worship to jump into partisan politics. This change threatens religious life in America, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

The platform advocates repeal of the Johnson Amendment, a provision adopted by Congress in 1954 that prohibits 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, non-profit organizations, including houses of worship, from intervening in partisan politics by endorsing or opposing candidates for public office.

Mass. Town Should Not Use Public Funds to Support Its Churches, Americans United Says In Lawsuit

Historic Status Of Buildings Is Not An Excuse To Subsidize Religion With Taxpayer Funds, Group Says

Jul 7, 2016

Americans United for Separation of Church and State has filed a lawsuit to stop the town of Acton, Mass., from spending taxpayer funds to support two local churches.

In legal action filed today on behalf of 13 Acton taxpayers, Americans United says officials in Acton violated the Massachusetts Constitution when they approved Community Preservation Act grants for Acton Congregational Church and South Acton Congregational Church.

Mo. Church Has No Right To Taxpayer Funds, Americans United And Allies Tell U.S. Supreme Court

High Court Should Uphold State ‘No-Aid’ Clauses, Coalition Says

Jul 5, 2016

Missouri is not obligated to give a grant to a church for the purpose of refurbishing its religious preschool’s playground, Americans United for Separation of Church and State says.

In a friend-of-the-court brief in the case of Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia, Inc. v. Pauley submitted today to the U.S. Supreme Court by Americans United and seven allied groups, the organizations explain that Missouri’s decision to offer grants only to secular organizations is not unconstitutional. 

U.S. Supreme Court Was Right To Refuse To Hear Wash. Contraception Case Raising Phony ‘Religious Freedom’ Argument

Pharmacists Cannot Use Religious Beliefs To Deny Patients Needed Medication, Group Says

Jun 28, 2016

The U.S. Supreme Court rightly decided not to hear a Washington state pharmacy’s claim that it has a “religious freedom” right to refuse to fill prescriptions for birth control, Americans United for Separation of Church and State says.

In an order issued today, the high court declined to hear the case of Stormans, Inc. v. Wiesman.

Americans United Staffer Honored For Religious Freedom Work In Georgia

Legislative Director Maggie Garrett To Receive Award From LGBT Rights Group

Jun 14, 2016

Georgia Equality will honor Americans United for Separation of Church and State Legislative Director Maggie Garrett at its upcoming Evening For Equality. Garrett will receive the Allen Thornell Political Advancement Award on June 18.

In a statement, Georgia Equality identified Garrett as “the most responsive attorney in reviewing legislative language” they’ve ever worked with and praised her for her diligence and dedication to the First Amendment. 

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