News From The Week Of March 29 – April 2, 2021

Friend:

One year ago this week, AU filed our first amicus brief opposing a request for a religious exemption to a public-health order limiting in-person gatherings because of the coronavirus pandemic. This week, we filed our 49th, in a California case, and yesterday a federal appeals court allowed the state’s restrictions on in-person worship to remain in place ([link removed]).

For some of us, myself included, this week we’re also celebrating Spring holidays for the second time since the pandemic forced us to stay home and radically changed the way we engage in our religious traditions. I know how hard it is for faith communities to go so long without coming together as a community, in person, to worship. And I know how hard it is still not to be able to celebrate the holidays with our larger families in person. But hope along with Spring is in the air, and dare I say that it’s looking like the day is soon coming when we can safely resume religious and secular traditions together.

Until then, AU will continue to fight efforts to jeopardize public safety and exempt houses of worship or religious schools from temporary rules that prohibit large gatherings or require mask-wearing. Religious freedom is not the freedom to risk other peoples’ lives.

Nor is religious freedom the right to force taxpayers to fund private religious schools that discriminate against students who are LGBTQ or turn away students with different religious beliefs. AU’s campaign to raise awareness of this growing threat hit its stride this week, and I’m happy to report that hundreds of thousands of people were reached by our digital ad highlighting the vulnerability of diverse public school students who are so often harmed by private religious schools.

There’s still time to take action against private school vouchers through our campaign website, if you haven’t already. Visit [link removed] to learn more. And if you’re joining me in any religious celebrations this week, I wish you a safe and joy-filled holiday!

In solidarity,

Rachel K. Laser
President and CEO

Hypocrisy Alert! Conservatives Who Celebrated Trump Won’t Acknowledge Biden’s Faith:
Many conservatives, especially those affiliated with the Religious Right, are living in their own little bubble of illusions, a place where facts dare not tread.
READ MORE » [link removed]

What America’s Changing Religious Demographics Mean For Church-State Separation:
America’s version of religious freedom has always encompassed the right to doubt, to debate, to argue, to change your mind, to blend traditions and to create your own personal theology outside the walls of any house of worship – or to reject religion entirely.
READ MORE » [link removed]

New Arkansas Law Fosters Religious Interference In Health Care:
Arkansas' new 'conscience' law is clearly targeted at members of the LGBTQ community and is among several mean-spirited bills pending in a number of states that seek to undermine LGBTQ rights
READ MORE » [link removed]

Michigan Catholic School Has No Right To Be Exempt From Mask Mandate, AU Tells Court:
A new AU legal brief asserts, 'The precious right of religious freedom should not be misused in a manner that jeopardizes the health of children and their family members.'
READ MORE » hhttps://www.au.org/blogs/Michigan-school-masks

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