Civil Rights RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

Safeguarding Religious Freedom for All Americans - Whether in the Majority or Minority

Recognizing the unique and intimate nature of religion, the Founding Fathers wisely put religion on a different footing from other forms of speech and observance – mandating strict separation of religion and government to ensure religious freedom for all individuals and faiths.

An ardent advocate for religious freedom, ADL believes that keeping government out of religion is the best way to safeguard religious freedom.

Read ADL's New Primer on the First Amendment & Religious Freedom ▶

Other Religious Freedom Issues

Religious Freedom in the Courts

During the last half century, ADL has filed friend-of-the-court (amicus) briefs in virtually every major religious freedom case - Separation of Church and State and Free Exercise Clause Briefs - before the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as numerous briefs with lower federal and state courts.

Read ADL's Religious Freedom Amicus Briefs ▶

Religious Freedom in the Public Schools

ADL is a staunch defender of religious freedom in our nation's public schools. The issue of the proper role of religion in the public schools continues to be the subject of great controversy. School officials wrestle with these questions every day. ADL’s comprehensive resources on this issue ensure educators, community leaders, parents and students have the tools they need to protect our children’s religious freedom.

Read ADL's Newly Revised Publication "Religion in the Public Schools" ▶