Religious Freedom

The First Amendment protects all individuals' right to religious liberty. The right to practice any religion - or no religion at all - is among the most fundamental of the freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.

The United States is the most religiously diverse nation in the world. Americans belong to over 1,500 different religious bodies and sects. We're also a devout nation, with research indicating that more than 90% of Americans profess a belief in God. While other countries experience constant civil unrest stemming from religious differences, the United States has never suffered this type of conflict. The ACLU believes this is a result of the separation of church and state required by the First Amendment.

The separation of church and state is crucial to the protection of free religious exercise. The ACLU opposes government sponsorship of religious beliefs and practices, and we support individuals' right to worship as they please without government interference. For example, the government may not post the Ten Commandments in a courthouse, but the government cannot stop an individual from posting the Ten Commandments in that person's home, or business, or place of worship.

Some people interpret the separation of church and state as a form of hostility toward religion. The ACLU believes this separation is the ultimate protector of religion. The government that sponsors mandatory prayer in our classrooms and public institutions will become the government that enters our places of worship to regulate our religious expression.

 

Press Releases

Legislative Alerts

Past Events

Current Docket

Resources

 

Press Releases

September 7, 2006: ACLU-TN Fights for Religious Freedom in Wilson County School System

January 13, 2006: ACLU-TN Requests Permanent Removal of Ten Commandments Display in Rutherford County Courthouse

December 1, 2005: ACLU-TN Alerts School Superintendents/High School Principals about Religious Freedom

May 5, 2005: ACLU-TN Responds to National Day of Prayer

January 29, 2004: ACLU-TN Files Lawsuit Challenging the Posting of the Ten Commandments in Monroe County

August 25, 2003: ACLU-TN Alerts School Superintendents about Religious Freedom

June 25, 2002: Victory for Religious Freedom in Rutherford County

May 3, 2002: MEDIA ADVISORY: Preliminary Injunction Hearing in ACLU-TN Lawsuit Challenging the Posting of the Ten Commandments in Rutherford County Set for May 6

May 30, 2002: Victory for Religious Freedom in Hamilton County

April 25, 2002: MEDIA ADVISORY: ACLU-TN Lawsuit Challenging the Posting of the Ten Commandments in Hamilton County Goes to Trial April 29

April 18, 2002: ACLU-TN Challenges Posting of Ten Commandments in Rutherford County Courthouse

January 29, 2002: ACLU-TN Files Lawsuit Challenging the Posting of the Ten Commandments in Hamilton County

 

Legislative Alerts

May 9, 2008: ACLU-TN Chart of 2008 TGA Bills Related to Religious Freedom

April 14, 2008: Voice Your Opinion on Several Pending Civil Liberties/Civil Rights Bills!

ACLU-TN Legislative Chart: Religious Freedom, 104th TGA, 2005 - 2006 (30 KB)

November 13, 2003: Stop Proposed "God Resolution" - Knox County Vote on Monday; CALL all commissioners NOW!!!

April 22, 2002: Effort to Bring Prayer to School - Call Senate Education Committee and your State Senator

February 11, 2002: Urge Tennessee General Assembly not to support Voluntary School Prayer Amendment

July 16, 2001: New Government-Funded Religion Action Alert - Send a free fax from National ACLU

May 23, 2001: Pending school voucher amendments in US House

February 19, 2001: "In God We Trust" -- HB 220 incorporates national motto onto state flag

 

Past Events

March 28, 2004: Barry Lynn to Speak on "One Nation under Whose God" on Sunday in Nashville

 

Current Docket

American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee and K.O. Herston v. Monroe County
(United States District Court of Eastern District of Tennessee at Knoxville)

American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, et. al. v.
Rutherford County
(United States District Court of Middle Tennessee, Nashville Division)

Resources

ACLU-TN Briefing Paper - Religion in Public Schools (33 KB)

Religious Freedom - National ACLU