Friend: 

I’m so pleased to share some of the feedback I’ve received this week about the “Know Your Rights” back-to-school guides AU produced to help students, parents and teachers understand and defend their religious freedom rights in public schools.

The responses we’ve received confirmed what we knew: These resources are much needed, especially given the many reports our Legal Department receives every year about unconstitutional school-promoted prayers, lessons that preach rather than teach objectively about religion, and incidents of teachers, coaches and other public school staff proselytizing our impressionable children.

Here is some of what you told us on social media, in website visits and in direct responses:

• “Would you please track down whoever it was who wrote the ‘Know Your Rights’ materials … and thank them for an absolutely SUPERB JOB!!!” [That would be Staff Attorney Ian Smith, who deserves major credit for creating the guides!]

• “I really like the materials prepared … to educate those in education on what’s fair game and what isn’t. The documents set the right tone.”

• The guides say “it is coercive for schools to hold events in houses of worship. As this is a point of contention in my community, can you point me to court rulings that support this?” [We’ll be getting back to this commenter.]

• “I passionately support separation of church and state and am extra happy with AU’s defense of LGBTQ people who always need protection from religious bigotry.”

If you haven’t already, check out the “Know Your Rights” guides at au.org/KnowYourRights. Then share them with friends and family, educators in your life, on social media and with local public schools.

We also know that back-to-school time is especially stressful for everyone this year. Like you, I’ve watched the disturbing scenes of parents shouting down elected officials, school board members, teachers and others charged with protecting our children. 

“Religious freedom” must not become a deadly license to overrule public health requirements. The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals agrees and ruled on Monday that Michigan’s now-expired requirement that all public and private school students wear masks was constitutional. A private religious school had claimed that making students wear masks violated their religious freedom because “God created us in His image [and] we are masking that image.” In denying the school’s request, the court cited a brief AU had filed in the case. 

I am proud of the 18 months AU has spent fighting religious exemptions from public health protections. If we weren’t here to lead on this, thanks to you all, who would be?

Thank you for playing such a crucial part in all of it.

With hope and gratitude,