Home : Religion and Belief : Free Exercise of Religion

ACLU of New Jersey Successfully Defends Right of Religious Expression by Jurors (12/22/2004)
NEWARK, NJ-- The State Supreme Court ruled today that a prosecutor violated the New Jersey Constitution when he removed two jurors from a jury pool, one for wearing Muslim religious clothing and another for having engaged in missionary activity.

Pentagon Agrees to End Direct Sponsorship of Boy Scout Troops in Response to Religious Discrimination Charge (11/15/2004)
CHICAGO - In response to a religious discrimination lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, the Defense Department today agreed to end direct sponsorship of hundreds of Boy Scout units, which require members to swear religious oaths, on military facilities across the United States and overseas.

ACLU Rebukes Backdoor Congressional Attempts to Allow Tax-Exempt Religious Groups To Engage in Partisan Political Activities (06/14/2004)
WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union today strongly rebuked a backdoor attempt by some Members of Congress to permit tax-exempt religious organizations to engage in partisan political activities, saying that the unconstitutional measure would discriminate against secular non-profit organizations.

ACLU Nebraska Files Lawsuit on Behalf of Muslim Woman Barred from Public Pool Because She Refused to Wear a Swim Suit (06/09/2004)
OMAHA -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska today filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city of Omaha on behalf of Lubna Hussein, a Muslim woman who was told she must remove her religious garb in order to accompany her children at a municipal swimming pool.

Following Threat of ACLU of Virginia Lawsuit, Officials to Agree Not to Ban Baptisms in Public Parks (06/03/2004)
RICHMOND, VA - Under pressure from the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, Falmouth Waterside Park Manager Brian Robinson has agreed not to prohibit baptisms in Stafford County, the ACLU announced today.

ACLU of Virginia Warns Park Officials Not to Discriminate Against Religious Groups (05/27/2004)
RICHMOND, VA -- Based on news accounts that a riverfront park in Stafford County has banned baptisms and may be limiting other religious activities, the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia said today that is has sent a letter to park officials seeking written assurances that religious expression will not be curtailed in the future.

Court Rejects Justice Department's Attempt to Enter San Diego Boy Scout Lease Case (03/17/2004)
SAN DIEGO-- The American Civil Liberties Union of San Diego and Imperial Counties today applauded a ruling that the United States Department of Justice cannot intervene in its challenge to the constitutionality of subsidized leases for the San Diego Boy Scouts.

ACLU of Louisiana Opposes Renewed White House Push for Taxpayer Funded Religious Discrimination (01/15/2004)
NEW ORLEANS -- Responding to President Bush's renewed lobbying for his controversial faith-based initiative in New Orleans yesterday, the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana today reiterated its concern at the unilateral way in which the White House is pushing its agenda -- which was rejected by Congress -- and warned that the new approach would permit religious organizations to use taxpayer funds to discriminate in employment and the provision of services based on religion.

ACLU of San Diego Secures Landmark Settlement in Boy Scout Lease Case (01/08/2004)
SAN DIEGO -- The American Civil Liberties Union of San Diego and Imperial Counties today announced a settlement with the City Council here in its 2000 lawsuit challenging the city's subsidy of the Desert Pacific Boy Scout Council through preferential leases for public land in Balboa Park and Fiesta Island Aquatic Park.

Federal Court Says that Virginia County's Prayer Policy Violates Religious Freedom Rules (11/13/2003)
RICHMOND, VA -- A federal magistrate here has ruled that the process by which the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors selects religious leaders to pray at the beginning of its meetings violates separation of church and state.

ACLU Says Orlando Court Decision in Veil Case Permits Government to Needlessly Restrict Religious Freedom Without Enhancing Security (06/06/2003)
ORLANDO, FL -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida said today's circuit court ruling in the case of a Muslim homemaker who declined on religious grounds to remove her face veil for a driver's license photo is a needless restriction on religious freedom with no benefit to public safety.

ACLU of PA Files Discrimination Lawsuit Over Denial of Zoning Permit for African American Baptist Church (10/28/2002)
PITTSBURGH - Acting on behalf of a local congregation, the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania today filed a federal civil rights lawsuit charging illegal race and religious discrimination in town officials' refusal to issue a zoning permit to a predominantly African-American church.

ACLU of Pennsylvania Supports Congregation's Fight for Religious Freedom (01/07/2002)
PHILADELPHIA--Citing the "constitutional promise of religious freedom," the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania today announced its support for members of Congregation Kol Ami in their fight to use a former Catholic convent as a synagogue. 

"Missionary" Discounts at Utah Restaurants (09/05/2001)
SALT LAKE CITY--The American Civil Liberties Union of Utah said today that it has sent letters to the State Attorney General's Office and the state Restaurants Association advising that the practice of offering "missionary" discounts at local eateries and retail businesses violates Utah's non-discrimination law. 

ACLU Files Lawsuit to Stop Coerced Prayers at Virginia Military Institute (05/09/2001)
RICHMOND, VA -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia today filed a lawsuit challenging Virginia Military Institute's requirement that students be present for a prayer ceremony prior to each evening meal. 

ACLU asks Virginia Military Institute to Stop School-Sponsored Prayers (04/03/2001)
RICHMOND, VA - After receiving several complaints from cadets at Virginia Military Institute, the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia has asked the school to cease its practice of having a student chaplain lead the cadets in prayer prior to each evening meal. 

ACLU Sues Federal Government Over Christian Cross in Mojave National Preserve (03/22/2001)
LOS ANGELES - The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California filed a lawsuit in federal court today seeking to compel National Park Service officials to remove a large cross installed in the Mojave National Preserve in San Bernardino County. 

Mississippi Governor to Sign 'In God We Trust' Bill (03/21/2001)
JACKSON, MS -- Governor Ronnie Musgrove says he will ignore a threat of legal action and sign into law a bill that mandates that public schools display the slogan "In God We Trust" and allows a moment of silence in classrooms, the Associated Press reported.

ACLU Files Lawsuit on Behalf of Ohio Firefighters Forced to Attend Church Service or Face Discipline (10/04/2000)
CLEVELAND, OH--Acting on behalf of a group of firefighters who were forced by their supervisor to attend church services while on duty, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today filed a federal lawsuit charging violations of religious liberty rights.

Suspending Rastafarian Police Officer for Wearing Dreadlocks Violates Religious Liberty, ACLU Says (07/11/2000)
BALTIMORE, MD -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland today called on the Baltimore Police Department to reinstate a suspended Rastafarian police officer who wears his hair in locks for religious reasons.