Last week, Americans United, Interfaith Alliance, American Humanists Association, and the Center for American Progress came together to celebrate the release of our new report, âReligious Liberty for All: Celebrating This Founding Freedom at America 250.â This report is a collective effort from organizations coming together to safeguard religious liberty and remind Americans what is truly at stake. The report brings together diverse voices in an expression of interfaith solidarity and showcases our commitment to democratic ideals, like the separation of church and state.
The report presents a clear and compelling alternative to the Trump administrationâs Religious Liberty Commission (RLC). Unfortunately, the commission has been advancing one narrow, exclusive version of religion that gives a pedestal to religious extremists misrepresenting and misusing religious freedom to favor one religion above all others.
As AU readers may know, Trumpâs RLC consists almost exclusively of Christians, all of whom collectively represent the narrow perspective that America was founded as a âJudeo-Christianâ nation and must be guided by biblical principles. Not on our watch. So we sued to challenge the creation of the commission and block its work and recommendations.
We know that Trumpâs commission reflects a narrow ideological perspective that does not represent the extraordinary diversity of religions and beliefs in this country. At a moment of reflection on our countryâs progress, when the nation should be celebrating and renewing its commitment to the constitutional promise of liberty and equality for all, this commission and this administration risk advancing a vision of religious freedom that excludes and harms many Americans.
Thatâs why this âReligious Liberty For Allâ report is so timely and necessary. At AU, we know that religious liberty is about advancing freedom for everyone, and that protecting and strengthening the separation of church and state is the only way to assure that.
The new âReligious Liberty For Allâ report features 20 prominent voices who share testimonials on what religious liberty means in their lives. Members of Congress, faith leaders, legal experts, secular advocates, leaders of faith-based organizations, and more share their stories and make the case for a vision of religious liberty rooted in dignity and the Constitution.
Legal experts reflect on how our nationâs history is being distorted in the courts and in the public square, engaging in an overly expansive application of the free exercise clause and pushing a narrative that excludes many faith traditions and nonreligious Americans.
We also hear from advocates about how the faith-based immigrantsâ rights movement is offering us a new vision of religious freedom in action â one about helping our neighbors regardless of their faith instead of forcing religion upon others.
Religious minorities tell of their personal experiences with living their faith boldly and freely, and how that can make them more vulnerable to exclusion and outright harm, but also how much it can be a source of strength, identity, and community.
Collectively, these stories underscore the urgency of defending a vision of religious liberty that includes us all and celebrates our differences, rather than excluding some based on their religion or lack thereof.
I hope that you find inspiration in these stories â because the truth is, each of us has a story about why religious freedom is important to us, even if we donât know it yet. It shapes our families, our communities, and our houses of worship. Whether you are a Christian, a Muslim, an atheist, or a humanist, a parent, a military servicemember, a public school teacher, or a government worker, your religious freedom protects your right to live as yourself and believe as you choose, and protects you from those trying to use their religion to harm others. It helps us build a more just and equal society. It is vital to our democracy.
By sharing our stories, we can work together to preserve and protect true religious liberty for all.
Photo credit: Mariel Montero
