Home : Religion and Belief

ACLU Applauds Congress’ Vote For Religious Freedom (05/02/2007)
WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union today praised the House for standing for religious freedom during its vote of HR 1429, the “Improving Head Start Act of 2007.” The body rejected a motion that would have removed longstanding civil rights protections prohibiting the hiring of teachers, staff and volunteers based on religion in Head Start programs. The provision failed by a vote of 195 to 222.

Veterans Win Right to Post Religious Symbol on Headstones (04/23/2007)
WASHINGTON – Following separate lawsuits filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the Department of Veterans Affairs today agreed to allow family members to include a Wiccan symbol on the headstones of deceased veterans.

Appeals Court Overturns Ban on Christian Preacher in Rhode Island Prison (04/09/2007)
BOSTON - In an important victory for religious freedom, a federal appeals court ruled that Rhode Island corrections officials cannot bar a Christian prisoner from preaching during religious services at the state prison. The ruling comes in a case brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island.

North Carolina Residents File Lawsuit Challenging the Use of Sectarian Invocations to Open County Commissioners' Meetings (03/30/2007)
WINSTON-SALEM, NC - Acting on behalf of several Forsyth County residents, the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina and the Winston-Salem Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed a lawsuit in federal court today, challenging the use of sectarian invocations to open official meetings of the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners.

U.S. Justice Department Joins NYCLU in Fight for Religious Freedom for New York Prison Guards (03/15/2007)
NEW YORK - The United States Department of Justice today joined the New York Civil Liberties Union in challenging a state policy that forbids corrections officers from wearing religious head coverings.

ACLU Praises Committee’s Vote For Religious Freedom, Head Start Will Continue to Hire Teachers Based on Qualifications not on Religious Beliefs (03/14/2007)
WASHINGTON – The American Civil Liberties Union today praised the House Education and Labor Committee for standing for religious freedom during its mark up of HR 1429, the “Improving Head Start Act of 2007.” The committee rejected an amendment to the bill that would have removed longstanding civil rights protections prohibiting the hiring of teachers, staff and volunteers based on religion in Head Start programs. The provision failed by a vote of 24 to 13.

ACLU of New Jersey Sues Newark Public Schools for Holding Graduation in Church (03/07/2007)
NEWARK - The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey filed a lawsuit today against the Newark Public Schools for violating a Muslim student's religious freedom by holding West Side High School's 2006 graduation ceremony in the sanctuary of a Baptist church.

Supreme Court Should Reject Attempt to Silence Taxpayers, ACLU Says (02/28/2007)
WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court today heard arguments in an appeal by the Bush administration to severely limit the right of taxpayers to sue over government funding of religious activities. The American Civil Liberties Union and other groups filed a brief urging the Court to uphold legal precedent and protect religious freedom.

ACLU of Virginia Asks Governor to Amend Religion Bill (02/27/2007)
RICHMOND, VA- The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia today asked Governor Tim Kaine to amend proposed legislation intended to strengthen religious rights in Virginia. The ACLU said that it supports the law, but only if a clause is added to the bill to prevent it from being used as an excuse to discriminate against minorities, and it is changed to apply to incarcerated persons.

ACLU of North Carolina to Investigate Reports of Anti-Muslim Proselytizing to High School Students (02/27/2007)
RALEIGH, NC - The American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina today announced that it is expanding its investigation into reports of longstanding, anti-Muslim proselytizing to students at Enloe High School in Raleigh. Expressing deep concern about the dismissive manner in which the school has handled this matter, the ACLU of North Carolina invited parents and students to contact the organization with information about proselytizing at Enloe High School on February 15, 2007 or any time prior.