Safeguarding religion and government from the undue influences of the other
The ACLU strives to safeguard the First Amendment's guarantee of religious liberty by ensuring that laws and governmental practices neither promote religion nor interfere with its free exercise.
ACLU vigorously defends the rights of all Americans, all faiths*
Religious freedom is the right to practice the religion of one's choice or no religion at all. The First Amendment protects that right by keeping religion free from government interference and coercion. The First Amendment says,
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
As enshrined in the First Amendment, religious freedom includes two complementary protections: the right to religious belief and expression and a guarantee that the government neither prefers religion over non-religion nor favors particular faiths over others. These dual protections work hand-in-hand, allowing religious liberty to thrive and safeguarding both religion and government form the undue influences of the other. * or no faith
