The Establishment Clause, which prohibits governmental sponsorship of religion, is one of the crucial elements of protecting religious freedom in America. In recent years, however, certain individuals and groups have ardently -- and, at times, furtively -- worked to insinuate their own religious beliefs and practices into schools, legislatures, and the courts.

The League continues its involvement in fighting discrimination and vigorously opposes unconstitutional programs in public schools, as well as official English language requirements. Filing amicus briefs in a number of civil rights cases, the League affirms its position that religion is a private, individual choice too sacred to be exploited for political ends.

THREATS TO RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

ADL disagreed with the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in City of Boerne v. Flores, which held that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) was unconstitutional. The law mandated that government could not impede religious observances unless there was a "compelling interest" for doing so. The League believes the Boerne decision could conceivably hinder people in certain situations from practicing their religion.

In view of the ruling, ADL has focused its efforts on state legislatures to pass their own versions of RFRA on the state level. ADL is also part of a broad coalition drafting new Federal legislation that will ultimately pass constitutional scrutiny.

With policy-makers around the country debating the introduction of vouchers, ADL has vigorously opposed these programs, emphasizing the importance of separation of religion and state, and of maintaining a nonsectarian public school system available to all young Americans.

In Agostini v. Felton, the Court declared that public school teachers could work in parochial schools as long as certain precautions were taken to preclude the teachers' involvement in religious activities. ADL believes that the decision does not seriously undermine constitutional protections regarding the separation of religion and government, but is concerned that language in the majority decision could cause problems in the future when the Court rules on similar issues.

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN THE FEDERAL WORKPLACE

ADL endorsed the Clinton Administration's guidelines for protecting religious freedom for Federal employees. The League declared that the pertinent document, Guidelines on Religious Exercise and Religious Expression in the Federal Workplace, should serve as a model for state and private employers. ADL also supports a bill working its way through Congress, the Workplace Religious Freedom Act, which would increase workplace safeguards in the private sector for religious employees.

IN ATLANTA ADL's Southeast Regional Office used the League's Religion in the Public Schools in an extensive educational workshop for all area superintendents, administrators, school board members and staff. IN DENVER When Hebrew Christian missionaries targeted new Russian immigrants, ADL's Mountain States Regional Office's Task Force on Missionaries and Cults countered by preparing educational materials in Russian.

RESOURCES

Protecting Religious Freedom: A State Legislative Priority. Pointing out that the Supreme Court's decision in Boerne does not limit the ability of individual states to secure freedom of religion, this publication by the Legal Affairs Department advises states on how to craft laws sustaining religious freedom that are constitutionally sound.