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
January 5, 2010: Wilson County School Officials Agree To End Annual Distribution Of Bibles To Elementary School Students - Annual Practice Imperiled Religious Liberty
December 22 , 2009: City of Clarksville Ends Preferential Treatment of Religious Group - ACLU-TN Applauds City ’s Efforts
November 16, 2009: ACLU-TN Lawsuit Charges Cheatham County School Official with Pattern and Practice of Government-Sponsored Religious Activities
October 7, 2009 - ACLU-TN Successfully Advocates On Behalf Of Student Preachers: Worship Services Can Now Be Held In Public Park
September 29, 2009: ACLU-TN Responds to Religious Activity in Tennessee Public Schools - Releases Guide for Administrators and Teachers
May 30, 2008: ACLU Wins Judicial Victory for Religious Freedom in Tennessee - Preferential Treatment of Praying Parents is Ruled Unconstitutional
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 11, 2009: Reproductive Freedom, Free Speech, Privacy and More at Stake at the Legislature This Week
May 4, 2009: Legislative Alert: Privacy, LGBT Rights, Religious Freedom, Reproductive Freedom, Voting Rights and Equal Treatment Under the Law at Stake
April 27, 2009: Legislative Alert: Free Speech, LGBT Rights, Reproductive Freedom, Immigrants' Rights and More
April 13, 2009: Legislative Alert: Contact Your Legislators on Free Speech, LGBT Rights, Religious Freedom, Immigrants' Rights and More
April 6, 2009: Legislative Alert: Busy Week at the Legislature - Please Contact Legislators ASAP
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
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
Letter to Public School Superintendents Regarding Religion in Schools
Religious Freedom - National ACLU
