|
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise therof." - The First Amendment
The First Amendment's guarantee of the free exercise of religion means generally that government should not interfere with religious practice. The Constitution, however, does not protect religious practice in all instances. In 1990, the Supreme Court held by a narrow majority that the Free Exercise Clause does not require exceptions to neutral laws of general applicability. We support many legislative efforts that offer greater protection than courts otherwise may provide. We believe the government should avoid substantially burdening a person's sincerely held religious beliefs absent an important governmental interest that could not be pursued in a less restrictive manner.
Related Articles
Inopportune time for bill attacking Establishment Clause
By K. Hollyn Hollman
Unlike France, religion-friendly secular state exists in U.S.
By J. Brent Walker
Press statements
September 19, 2006
Baptist group opposes "unnecessary and unwise" language on military chaplains in Defense bill
News Stories
February 21, 2008
Probe of religious discrimination in prisons include faith-based ministries
October 30, 2007
Bureau of Prisons changes course on banning religious texts
May 24, 2007
Veterans Affairs agrees to allow Wiccan symbol as grave markers
January 17, 2007
Driver says he followed policy when kicking Muslim woman off bus
October 2, 2006
Update: Obama bill would allow bankrupt worshippers to tithe
September 27, 2006
House passes measure to chill establishment-clause lawsuits
September 25, 2006
House bill would deny effective relief for Establishment Clause violations
September 21, 2006
Alliance directors approve next step
in Cuba fine, new staffing plan
September 15, 2006
State Department softens language on Saudi religious freedom
September 14, 2006
Widow wins fight to have Wiccan symbol for fallen soldier
September 13, 2006
Court says tithing not an option for the bankrupt
September 8, 2006
House bill would make it harder to sue over church-state separation
September 8, 2006
Alliance challenges $34,000 fine for alleged Cuba violations
August 28, 2006
Two churches cited in Alliance fine get Cuba travel licenses anyway
August 8, 2006
Alliance of Baptists fined $34,000 for 'tourist' activities in Cuba
June 21, 2006
BWA delegation presses Vietnamese government on religious freedom
June 19, 2006
Support grows for Wicca marker on soldier's grave
|
