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Religious Freedom

Issues

"One of the amendments to the Constitution... expressly declares that '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,' thereby guarding in the same sentence and under the same words, the freedom of religion, of speech, and of the press; insomuch that whatever violates either throws down the sanctuary which covers the others."
Thomas Jefferson

The Framers of the U.S. Constitution understood quite clearly that religious freedom is one of the most fundamental human rights that exist.  After all, religious freedom is the main aspiration that sent America’s founders searching for independence from England.  This is also why the Framers included free exercise of religion in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. 

According to the First Amendment the government may not establish a religion nor deny its citizens the right to freely exercise their religion.  The Rutherford Institute believes that religious freedom and freedom of conscience are among the most basic and fundamental rights guaranteed in the Constitution.  Everyday The Rutherford Institute works tirelessly to defend the right of people to freely worship and exercise their religion.  Whether at work, in the public square, in prison, or in the classroom, The Rutherford Institute fights to ensure that your fundamental right to exercise your religion is respected and unabridged. 

Religious Discrimination in the Workplace:
An Epidemic in Need of a Legislative Cure

Calling on Congress to take legislative action to protect the rights of religious individuals in the workplace, The Rutherford Institute has issued a special report and 10-year overview of religious discrimination in the workplace. In addition to illustrating how protections for religious persons in the workplace have been weakened by various court rulings over the years, the report provides a 10-year overview of workplace religious discrimination cases handled by Rutherford Institute attorneys and highlights the sharp increase of religious discrimination complaints filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in recent years. Specifically, the report calls for the passage of the proposed Workplace Religious Freedom Act (WRFA), which was co-sponsored by Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) and has languished in Congress since being introduced in April 2003. More.

Press Releases

Rutherford Institute Secures Court Victory for New York Residents Whose 'Jesus Saves/John 3:16' Religious Bricks Were Removed from School

Navy Prayer Policy Prohibits Free Exercise of Religion; Rutherford President Calls on Navy to Bring Policy in Line with Constitution

Rutherford Institute Attorneys Plan to Appeal District Court Dismissal of First Amendment Lawsuit Over Removal of Teacher's Christian-Themed Posters

ACLU, People for the American Way Join Forces to Oppose Rutherford Institute Lawsuit Over City Council Member’s Right to Pray ‘in Jesus’ Name’

Rutherford Institute President Urges Federal Prosecutors to Refrain from Discriminating Against Jurors' Religious Beliefs

Rutherford Institute President Calls on Texas Governor to Respect First Amendment Rights of Jewish Prison Inmates

The Rutherford Institute Issues “Twelve Rules of Christmas” Guidelines for Thanksgiving, Christmas Holiday Celebrations

U.S. Supreme Court Refuses to Hear First Amendment Public School Religious Freedom Case

Rutherford Institute Calls for Public Schools to Respect Right of Students, Teachers to Participate in National See You at the Pole Day

Supreme Court Declares Texas Ten Commandments Monument Constitutional

Rutherford Institute Lauds U.S. Supreme Court’s Affirmation of Religious Rights of Prisoners

Articles

Christmas Under Siege:  A Report on the Elimination of an American Tradition

Celebrating the Christmas Holiday in Public Schools

Prayer at City Council Meetings:  Analysis and Guidelines

See You at the Pole

Pledge of Allegiance Ruled Unconstitutional by a California Federal Court

Inside the Schoolhouse Gates:  A Report on Religion in the Public Schools


Resources

Download your copy of Key United States Supreme Court Religion Decisions, with summaries of over 50 important Supreme Court cases.

Order your copy of Handbook on Religious Liberty Around the World, a valuable tool for all those involved in the battle to stop religious persecution.

Read Rutherford White Papers about religious freedom.

Download First Liberties, The Rutherford Institute’s free quarterly public radio campaign educating listeners about their rights and freedoms.

 

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