Updated 10.02.07  The ACLU believes that the right of every American to practice his or her own religion, or no religion at all, is among the most fundamental of the freedoms guaranteed by the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. The Constitution’s framers understood that religious liberty can flourish only if the government leaves religion alone.

What’s Happening Nationally

On August 13, 2007, the ACLU filed a lawsuit against Lousiana Governor Kathleen Blanco and state treasurer John Neely Kennedy for authorizing the payment of state taxpayers' money to two churches. While states can, in certain circumstances, provide funding to religious organizations for some programs that provide non-religious social services, the First Amendment squarely bars the government from funneling direct, unrestricted, cash payments to churches. Read more about the ACLU's work to preserve religious freedom on the national ACLU website.

What’s happening in Ohio

Ohio is at the forefront of the theocracy movement, with several groups targeting the state as a battleground against secularism.  Here’s a detailed look at the movement from Theocracy Watch.

Get Active!

1. Host a Living Room Liberties party. Invite friends, neighbors, and co-workers to your home for light refreshments and viewing of the 30-minute ACLU Freedom Files episode on religious liberty. We can help with the planning; just send us an email.

2. Write a letter to the editor about the importance of a distinct church and state.

3. Join or start a discussion group in your church, synagogue or spiritual institution.  To request an ACLU speaker, click here.

4. Talk with someone whose religious beliefs are different from your own.

5. Participate in your local school board and city council meetings. Make sure your schools teach science rather than theology, and that your local government respects religious diversity.

Resources

December 10, 2008 will mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

Nativity Scenes and Holiday Display Guide

Halloween: Is It A Religious Holiday?

Students! Know Your Rights

School Holiday Program Guide

Frequently asked questions about intelligent design

Americans United for the Separation of Church and State

National Center For Science Education

Theocracy Watch (a project of the Center for Religion, Ethics and Social Policy (CRESP) at Cornell University)

Read Religious Liberty press releases and news articles in our News Center.

ACLU of OHIO : Max Wohl Civil Liberties Center : 4506 Chester Avenue : Cleveland, OH 44103

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