Religious Freedom
"Religion in America... must be regarded as the foremost of the political institutions of that country; for if it does not impart a taste for freedom, it facilitates the use of it. Indeed, it is in this same point of view that the inhabitants of the United States themselves look upon religious belief." ~Alexis de Tocqueville
About the issue:
From classrooms to businesses and beyond, religious freedom is denied every day. The First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees American citizens freedom of religion, but gradually, that freedom is being eroded. Some of the most serious threats to religious freedom include the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and hate crimes legislation. These policies, among others, would effectively stifle the free speech of churches and pastors, and would impede the progress of ministries nationwide.
However, a number of policies have been enacted in Texas and nationwide that protect the freedom of religion, including the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), and the Schoolchildren's Religious Liberties Act. The Texas RFRA was passed in 2000, and RLUIPA was passed in 1994 by Congress as a way to protect churches and religious organizations in their attempt to use property for their ministries. In 2007, the Texas Legislature passed a groundbreaking bill that protects the religious liberties of schoolchildren; other states have passed similar legislation, with more to follow.
What We're Doing:
Liberty Institute believes that the First Amendment protection of religious freedom is one of the greatest things our Founding Fathers could have done in drafting the Constitution and Bill of Rights. That's why Liberty Institute drafted the Hostility to Religious Expression document, which shows how maligned our freedoms really are. In the document, you can find detailed explanations of legal cases nationwide, such as the case of Morgan v Plano Independent School District, where a third grade student was banned from handing candy cane pens with a religious message to classmates as a Christmas gift.
Too many cases like these abound, which is why our work to protect religious freedom is so important. Liberty Institute has helped churches and ministries when they encounter unconstitutional obstacles from cities, and through the Barr v. Sinton case, has received the most important ruling ever issued under the Texas RFRA, thereby protecting the religious freedom of churches all over the state. Liberty Institute also received the most substantial IRS ruling defining the freedom pastors have in their churches to preach on political issues.
Liberty Institute also helped to pass Texas' Schoolchildren's Religious Liberties Bill, and has represented numerous families against school districts which sought to silence students, and also represented school districts against attacks by liberal religion-hating groups.
Additionally, Liberty Institute strongly opposes any efforts to quiet any religious opposition as found in ENDA or hate crimes legislation, and is working to educate everyday Americans about what passing either of those bills would mean for their liberties.
