With the unveiling of our new website in February 2016, our name officially changed from Liberty Institute to First Liberty Institute. 
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RESTORING RELIGIOUS LIBERTY FOR ALL AMERICANS

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shutterstock_160243067-998x767 Mount Rushmore, Devils Tower Still Convey Quintessential American Ideas THE FEDERALIST Mount Rushmore reminds us how we used to talk as a nation. This is what we used to believe. This is what I want my sons to remember. Read More »
Screen Shot 2016-08-22 at 5.15.01 PM Texas judge under fire for offering prayer in the courtroom FOX AND FRIENDS Attorneys have complained that the practice is ‘unconstitutional.’ Read More »
Sketch of Oral Arguments before Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces in United States v. Sterling – Art by Dana Verkouteren. Military Court Botches RFRA NATIONAL REVIEW By a vote of 4-1 yesterday in United States v. Sterling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces adopted a strangely narrow reading of the threshold provisions of the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Read More »
Screen Shot 2016-08-10 at 4.02.45 PM Coach fired for praying speaks out after filing lawsuit THE KELLY FILE Coach Joe Kennedy goes on 'The Kelly File' to explain why he took legal action against the school district. Read More »

First Liberty Cases

Churches and Ministries Military Public Arena Schools
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COACH KENNEDY School district suspends football Coach Joe Kennedy over prayer. Read More »
cornerstone church
CORNERSTONE WORLD OUTREACH CHURCH The State of Iowa published a brochure defining churches as places of public accommodation and claiming that the state has the power to control what the church teaches regarding matters of gender and sexuality. Read More »
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OSCAR RODRIGUEZ, JR. Decorated Air Force veteran assaulted and dragged out of retirement ceremony over the word “God”. Read More »
The 170-foot Sagemont Church Cross in Houston, Texas inspired Pastor Milby to build the Corpus Christi Cross. (Photo credit: Sagemont Church. May be republished.)
CORPUS CHRISTI CROSS Atheist from San Antonio sues Corpus Christi pastor for building America's tallest cross on church property. Read More »
OUL
OKLAHOMANS UNITED FOR LIFE Oklahoma State University allows pro-life group on campus following First Liberty action. Read More »
Sterling
UNITED STATES V. STERLING U.S. Marine court-martialed for refusing to remove Bible verse in her workspace. Read More »
Kleins
KLEINS First Liberty Institute is representing Aaron and Melissa Klein, owners of “Sweet Cakes by Melissa,” in a battle for the Oregon couple’s religious freedom. In 2013, two women asked the Kleins to make a cake celebrating their same-sex wedding. Read More »
Walsh
DR. ERIC WALSH First Liberty is defending Dr. Eric Walsh, a public health official fired for expressing his religious beliefs in church. Read More »
Liberty_Cases-Bladensburg
BLADENSBURG Federal Court Declares Historic World War I Veterans Memorial Constitutional, American Humanist Association Appeals. Read More »
Kountze
MATTHEWS V. KOUNTZE ISD Cheerleaders banned from painting scripture verses on cheer banners. Read More »
125

active legal matters involving religious freedom

90%

win rate for all cases

24

of the top 50 law firms in the U.S. volunteer on our cases

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Religious Liberty Issues

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Issues: Religious Liberty in Schools

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Protecting Religious Freedom in the Public Arena

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Issues: Religious Liberty in the Military

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RESOURCES TO PROTECT YOURSELF & YOUR ORGANIZATION

Can students pray in school?  See your rights »

Guard your Church from Legal Attack.  See your rights »

How Service Members and Chaplains can exercise their Legal Rights.  See your rights »

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First Liberty News

In God We Trust

Stand up for America’s National Motto and support the rights of law enforcement officers to display it on their department vehicles by requesting your FREE “In God We Trust” window cling here!

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First Liberty President at VVS: Will You Stand?

Are you willing to stand? That’s what First Liberty President Kelly Shackelford asked over 2,000 attendees at Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C.

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A Millennial’s Perspective: Look Up

It’s time for my generation to look up from their smart phones, recognize the danger we’re in, and take immediate action.

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Coach Kennedy Needs You!
He was fired from his job as a beloved high school coach – for praying. Join #TeamKennedy to help put Coach Kennedy back in the game! Find out how.»
Religious Liberty News in Under Two Minutes
n about 90-seconds, three times a week, Jeremy recalls the stories that have shaped America’s religious liberty, from the founding era to current legal battles and more.Listen Now»
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Religious Liberty Facts

First Amendment

Religious liberty is the first right mentioned in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Charities in America

According to the Non-Profit Times, three of the top five charities in America are religiously affiliated (YMCA, Catholic Charities, and the Salvation Army).

Religious Landscape

Seventy-seven percent of American adults identify as religious, according to the Pew Research Center.

Religious Services

Over 88.2 million (36 percent) adults attend religious services at least once a week.

Religious Schools

In the 2011-12 school year, religious elementary and secondary schools educated over 4 million students.

Americans’ Rights

George Washington called religious liberty one of Americans’ “choicest” blessings and rights in 1789.

James Madison

In 1792, James Madison said, “conscience is the most sacred of all property.”

Attacks on Religious Freedom

Between 2011 and 2015, attacks on religious freedom in America tripled. (Documented in First Liberty’s annual survey, Undeniable: Survey of Hostility to Religion in America)