Untwisting “Separation of Church and State”
If you ask many Americans what guarantees are included in the First Amendment, there’s a good chance you’ll hear “the separation of church and state.” We usually hear this phrase—or the First Amendment’s ban on national religious establishments—as justification for why legislative invocations, veterans memorials that contain traditional imagery and […]
Midnight Phone Call Frees Student to Keep Faith in Graduation Speech
Knowledge is power, which is what Josiah Bell discovered last month just before delivering his valedictorian address at his high school graduation. Thanks to a midnight call with First Liberty attorneys, Josiah was able to share his heart—and his faith—during one of the most important moments of his life. A […]
California Politicians Take Aim at Religious Freedom and Diversity?
Legal analysis by First Liberty attorney Chelsey Youman Editor’s Note: In light of the grave threat posed by the California Assembly Bill 569 as described in this article, First Liberty Institute is available to assist any California faith-based school, organization, or church who may be impacted should AB 569 become […]
Victory! Growing Church Overcomes Unlawful Zoning Ordinance
After a three-year legal battle, a growing church has overcome an unlawful zoning ordinance that sought to keep it from using its own property to minister to the community. This victory continues a string of wins by First Liberty Institute having a common theme: a house of worship—including churches and synagogues—running […]
America’s Next “Religious Freedom Generation” Off to a Fast Start!
By Racheal Carlyon, 2016 Fellowship Alumna and First Liberty Intern Editor’s note: Modern America began with a strong “religious freedom generation” fleeing religious persecution in Europe. Since then, our history has depended on successive generations who renewed or revived the religious freedom at our country’s core. First Liberty Institute began […]
Right to Pray Denied
The right to pray in one’s own home without retaliation or government harassment is a fundamental aspect of religious freedom. Mary Anne Sause — a retired Catholic nurse on disability — went to court to vindicate this right. In 2013, Sause was ordered to “stop praying” in her own apartment […]
