Americans United for Separation of Church and State

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Liz Hayes
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Americans United, ACLU File Brief Opposing Taxpayer-Funded Religious Training In Maine

“Forcing Maine residents to pay for religious education – particularly at private schools that can discriminate against students – is a fundamental violation of religious freedom,” said Alex J. Luchenitser, AU’s associate legal director. “The court should reject this lawsuit and maintain the state’s current protections that ensure that taxpayers aren’t compelled to support religious beliefs with which they may not agree.”

Americans United Issues Statement On New Zealand Mosque Attacks

“Our hearts are heavy today as we try to comprehend the aftermath of the tragic murders of 49 people and the wounding of at least 20 others in New Zealand," said AU President & CEO Rachel Laser. "This brutal attack by a white nationalist is another reminder of the threat posed by the global reach of hateful extremism and ideologies based on division, fear and violence. We must stand united against this growing plague of hate.
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13 Religious Freedom Organizations Oppose Washington State Flower Shop’s Misuse of Religion to Discriminate Against LGBTQ Customers

“It is unfathomable that in 2019, businesses are still seeking the legal right to discriminate against people who don’t live by the owner’s religious beliefs,” said AU President & CEO Rachel Laser. “Our society and our courts rejected this thinking decades ago when we declared that businesses open to the public must be open to all and that religious beliefs could not be used as a basis for discrimination."

Americans United Applauds Supreme Court Decision Not to Hear Case of Taxpayer-Funded Restoration of New Jersey Churches

“The Supreme Court’s decision protects the religious freedom of New Jersey residents by ensuring that their tax dollars are not funding religious activity that they may not support," said AU Legal Director Richard B. Katskee. "Public funds should support buildings and programs that benefit all members of the community, not build or repair churches that are used primarily by members of one faith."

Americans United Applauds the ReIntroduction of the Do No Harm Act to Protect the True Meaning of Religious Freedom

“We need to pass the Do No Harm Act now more than ever to protect people like our client Aimee Maddonna, who wanted to help children in foster care, but was turned away by a government-funded agency for being the ‘wrong’ religion,” said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United. “We urge all members of Congress to support this legislation and defend religious freedom, one of our country’s most sacred principles.”

Catholic Mom Sues Trump Administration, South Carolina Governor for Religious Discrimination

“It was demoralizing to hear we are not good enough because we aren’t the right kind of Christians. It was difficult for my family, of course, but at the end of the day my kids still have parents,” said Aimee Maddonna, AU's plaintiff. “These foster children need and deserve to have someone looking out for them – and the government is taking that away. These children are still in an institution. That isn’t right, it isn’t fair and it isn’t necessary.”

Americans United Leads Religious and Civil Rights Groups to Urge Supreme Court to Honor All Veterans by Affirming Bladensburg Cross is Unconstitutional

“Our service members made the ultimate sacrifice to our nation. Our government must treat them equally and honor them equally,” said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United. “The cross is an inherently Christian symbol. And this cross towering over a community allegedly to commemorate all veterans excludes and dishonors the sacrifices made by thousands of non-Christian veterans."
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The Shadow Network is 2nd in line for the Presidency - Donate Now

New Speaker of the House Mike Johnson worked at ADF, a Christian Nationalist outfit and leader in the Shadow Network, for more than a decade. Now, he's in one of the most powerful offices in the world. Please donate now to help AU protect religious freedom and church-state separation.

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