Home : Religion and Belief

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.

Louisiana Court Affirms Christian Protester's Free Speech Rights (01/29/2007)
NATCHITOCHES, LA - The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana today announced a federal court's decision in its free speech lawsuit on behalf of Christian protester Edwin Crayton, whose rights were violated by Natchitoches' unconstitutional permit requirements.

North Carolina Appeals Court Allows ACLU Lawsuit Over Court Swearing-in Practice to Go Forward (01/16/2007)
RALEIGH, NC - A unanimous North Carolina Court of Appeals today ruled that the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina can proceed with its lawsuit challenging state courts' practice of refusing to allow people of non-Christian faiths to swear religious oaths using any text other than the Christian Bible.

Georgia School Board Drops Defense of Anti-Evolution Stickers (12/19/2006)
ATLANTA - The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia announced today that it has reached an agreement with the Cobb County School Board to keep controversial “Evolution Disclaimer” stickers out of biology textbooks in public schools, ending a legal challenge that began in 2002.

Appeals Court Finds Louisiana School Board Improperly Engaged in Sectarian Prayer During Meetings (12/16/2006)
NEW ORLEANS—In a religious freedom case brought by a local family and the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has ruled that the Tangipahoa Parish School Board acted improperly by promoting their own sectarian religious beliefs during meetings.

ACLU of New Jersey Applauds Ruling in Favor of Student's Right to Sing "Awesome God" (12/12/2006)
NEWARK, NJ - The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey today praised a decision by U.S. District Court Judge Freda L. Wolfson protecting the religious expression rights of students. The court held that a Frenchtown Elementary School student had the right to sing the song "Awesome God" at a school talent show. The ACLU of New Jersey submitted a friend-of-the-court brief in support of the student.

ACLU of Texas and ACLJ Urge State Supreme Court to Enforce Religious Freedom Act (12/06/2006)
AUSTIN, TX - The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas and the American Center for Law and Justice today filed a joint friend-of-the-court brief in support of Pastor Rick Barr and Philemon Homes, Inc. urging the state supreme court to reverse a lower court decision upholding an ordinance that forbids correctional or rehabilitation facilities within 1,000 feet of a church.