Worship... Or Not
Religious liberty and the separation of church and state allow all of us to make our own private choices about faith and how we practice what we believe. What makes America different from other countries is that our right to make decisions about our beliefs is a private matter protected by the Constitution.
Some advocacy groups want to change the First Amendment and allow elected officials to make decisions about when and how people pray. Sometimes these misguided efforts are focused on introducing coercive prayers at public schools; sometimes they are focused on imposing sectarian devotions at meetings of governmental bodies.
Our private choice to worship, or not, must be protected when we go to work and to school and when we participate in our communities. It is never up to politicians or public officials to coerce us into supporting religious expressions in which we do not believe.
In The News:
"Stark's atheist views break political taboo"
The San Francisco Chronicle - March 15, 2007
The San Francisco Chronicle - March 15, 2007
"Congressman says he doesn't believe in God"
The Los Angeles Times - March 13, 2007
The Los Angeles Times - March 13, 2007
"Nonbelievers Experience an American Resurgence"
Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life - January 29, 2007
Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life - January 29, 2007
"Yes, Virginia, there is a Festivus"
Joseph P. Kahn, Globe Staff - December 19, 2006
Joseph P. Kahn, Globe Staff - December 19, 2006
"Christmas Wars Lucrative for Advocacy Groups"
Religion News Service - December 18, 2006
Religion News Service - December 18, 2006
"A Dissent: The Case Against Faith Religion does untold damage to our politics. An atheist's lament."
Newsweek - November 13, 2006
Newsweek - November 13, 2006
"Is God dead? Atheism finds a market in U.S."
The Washington Post - October 18, 2006
The Washington Post - October 18, 2006
TIA Website, August 2006
Given current religious freedom in public schools, The Interfaith Alliance questions the true intention behind any effort to legalize and expand state-sponsored school prayer.
TIA Website, August 2006
Proposals to funnel government dollars directly into houses of worship and religious organizations, namely President Bush’s Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, endanger both the sanctity of religion and the integrity of government.
AU Press Release – June 2006
... that have allowed him and his family the freedom to worship as they choose. ... guarantees of religious freedom for which Sgt. Stewart fought and died.” ...
AU Press Release - November 4, 2005
Watchdog Group Urges Military Branch To Reject Religious Right Overtures
AU Press Release - October 19, 2005
Church-State Watchdog Group Says Air Force Must Stop Promoting Religion
AU Blog – May 2005
In the most recent developments, Air Force officials have issued a statement reminding officers that they must respect the religious beliefs of others and ...
AU Press Release - April 28, 2005
Watchdog Group Asks Rumsfeld, Air Force Officials, To Correct Problems
AU brochure
In 1962 and ’63, the Supreme Court struck down mandatory worship in public schools. The court did not ban voluntary prayer and Bible reading or “kick God ...
AU brochure
Public schools are not permitted to sponsor worship, but that does not mean that they must be "religion-free zones." In order to clear up some of the ...
AU Blog – November 2004
All enjoy the right to worship or not worship unhindered by the whim of government officials or state-appointed religious leaders. ...
AU Blog – May 2005
A judge in Indiana apparently believes the First Amendment's religious ...
AU Press Release - February 21, 2006
Unanimous High Court Says Federal Government Failed To Show 'Compelling Interest' In Banning Hallucinogenic Tea
AU Press Release - May 31, 2005
Decision Upholds Federal Law Protecting Rights Of Minority Faiths, While Ensuring Prison Security, Says Church- State Watchdog Group
AU Press Release - May 4, 2005
Inclusive Event Celebrates Freedom Of Conscience, Welcomes All Faiths And Philosophical Traditions
AU Press Release - April 26, 2004
Action Preserves Freedom Of Religion At Publicly Funded Institution, Says Americans United
AU Press Release - April 29, 2003
Americans United Lauds Decision Barring Public Universities From Compelling Students To Attend Religious Worship
In The News:
"Stark's atheist views break political taboo"
The San Francisco Chronicle - March 15, 2007
The San Francisco Chronicle - March 15, 2007
"Congressman says he doesn't believe in God"
The Los Angeles Times - March 13, 2007
The Los Angeles Times - March 13, 2007
"Nonbelievers Experience an American Resurgence"
Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life - January 29, 2007
Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life - January 29, 2007
"Yes, Virginia, there is a Festivus"
Joseph P. Kahn, Globe Staff - December 19, 2006
Joseph P. Kahn, Globe Staff - December 19, 2006
"Christmas Wars Lucrative for Advocacy Groups"
Religion News Service - December 18, 2006
Religion News Service - December 18, 2006
"A Dissent: The Case Against Faith Religion does untold damage to our politics. An atheist's lament."
Newsweek - November 13, 2006
Newsweek - November 13, 2006
"Is God dead? Atheism finds a market in U.S."
The Washington Post - October 18, 2006
The Washington Post - October 18, 2006
Coalition Organizations
The organizations featured below are encouraging their members and supporters to sign the First Freedom First petition to safeguard separation of church and state and protect religious liberty. Click their logo to learn more.
The Jefferson Society
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