Home : Religion and Belief

ACLU of Ohio Demands Schools Stop Teaching Intelligent Design as Science (02/14/2006)
TOLEDO, OH -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio today sent a letter to the Toledo Public Schools demanding that they cease allowing staff to teach intelligent design in science classrooms throughout the district.

ACLU of Rhode Island Files Appeal on Behalf of Christian Prisoner Barred from Preaching at Religious Services (01/12/2006)
PROVIDENCE, RI -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island announced today that it has filed an appeal in federal court on behalf of a Christian prisoner who was barred from preaching during religious services at the state prison.

ACLU Applauds Decision in "Intelligent Design" Case (12/20/2005)
HARRISBURG, PA -- The American Civil Liberties Union today applauded a court ruling that it is unconstitutional to teach "intelligent design" as an alternative to evolution in a public school science classroom. Judge John E. Jones III, who was appointed by President George W. Bush, today ruled that "intelligent design" is a particular religious view and not a scientific theory. In his ruling, Judge Jones sharply rebuked the Dover Area School Board and its legal representation, Thomas More Law Center, stating, "the students, parents, and teachers of the Dover Area School District deserved better than to be dragged into this legal maelstrom, with its resulting utter waste of monetary and personal resources."

ACLU Hails Historic Ruling in Dover, Pennsylvania "Intelligent Design" Case (12/20/2005)
HARRISBURG, PA - "Intelligent design" is a particular religious belief, not a valid scientific theory, and teaching it in public school science classrooms violates the Constitution, according to Judge John E. Jones III's ruling today in Kitzmiller v. Dover.

Florida Officials Agree to Protect Free Speech, Suspend Insurance Requirement for Public Displays During the Holidays (12/13/2005)
TAMPA, FL - In a victory for free speech, Polk County officials today agreed to temporarily eliminate a burdensome rule that had been challenged by the American Civil Liberties Union requiring that individuals and groups purchase expensive insurance policies before being allowed to set up displays in front of the county administration building.

ACLU of Michigan Defends Catholic Man Coerced to Convert to Pentecostal Faith in Drug Rehab Program (12/06/2005)
DETROIT - After exhausting all avenues in the Michigan courts, the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan today filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of a Catholic man who was criminally punished for not completing a Pentecostal drug rehabilitation program.

Indiana Court Upholds Challenge to House’s Exclusionary Sectarian Prayers (11/30/2005)
INDIANAPOLIS -- U.S. District Court Judge David F. Hamilton today ordered the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Indiana General Assembly to stop permitting sectarian prayers from being offered as part of the official House proceedings.

Fredericksburg City Council Agrees to ACLU Request, Adopts Non-Sectarian Prayer Policy (11/14/2005)
FREDERICKSBURG, VA – Following a request by the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, the Fredericksburg City Council voted last night to make the prayers that open its meetings non-sectarian.

ACLU of New Jersey Defends Property Owner Against Government Seizure of Land to Give to Religious School (10/18/2005)
NEWARK, NJ -- The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey announced today that it is representing tavern owner Cheng "Terry" Tan, who is fighting the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency's attempt to take his restaurant by eminent domain. Jersey City officials want to take Tan's land to give it to a parochial school, St. Peter's Prep, for its football field.