News from the Week Aug. 29 – Sept. 2, 2022

Friend:

After working from the Southwest for most of the past two months (with a few much-needed breaks to spend time with family), I’m back in Washington, D.C. Returning to the nation’s capital was a sobering reminder that the beginning of a new Supreme Court session in October and the November midterm elections are right around the corner.

Too many people are just now becoming aware that the separation of church and state is a critical pillar of our democracy. This foundational American principle ensures that we are all treated equally under the law and have the freedom to live as ourselves and believe as we choose. Without it, our democracy crumbles along with all the rights and freedoms we hold dear.

We’re learning more about this connection, especially as it relates to Christian nationalism. The goal of Christian nationalism is to ensure that anyone who is not among the chosen cannot fully participate in public life. One of the leading experts on this ideology studied the link between “Christian nationalism and anti-democratic attitudes” and the conclusion is, as he put it, “stunning.” You can read more on this here: [link removed]. Those who embrace Christian nationalism most strongly are more likely to:

- believe that it’s “too easy to vote” in America;
- support “hypothetical policies that exclude those who could not pass a basic civics test from voting;” and
- deny that “voter suppression” is a problem.

Put simply, the separation of church and state is critical to the equality that our democracy promises, but that Christian nationalists reject. I highlighted several of their attacks during a recent interview with the four stellar hosts of the “We Dissent” podcast; I hope you’ll check it out: [link removed]

If there’s a silver lining to these existential threats to our democracy, it’s that the white Christian nationalist crusade for their own religious privilege is alienating people and generating momentum for our movement. The majority of Americans want true religious freedom for all, not religious privilege for a chosen few. They want freedom without favor and equality without exception. And they’re realizing they want—they need—the separation of church and state now more than ever.

We need to clarify for our friends and family the connection between a strong, healthy democracy and a strong, healthy separation between church and state. I’d love to hear your thoughts here. How would you convince a friend that the separation of church and state is integral to our democracy?

With your support, we are preparing to launch a campaign for a national recommitment to the separation of church and state. Religious extremists started this fight, but we have every intention of winning it. We must—our democracy is at stake.

With hope and determination,

Rachel K. Laser
President and CEO


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Virginia Conservatives Sought To Ban Two ‘Obscene’ Books. A Court Has Dismissed Their Lawsuit.:
Two conservative activists recently tried to use an obscure state anti-obscenity law to attack two books, even challenging the right of bookstores to sell them. Thankfully, they failed—this time.
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Here’s Another Shortcoming Of Christian Nationalism—To Millions Of Believers, It’s Not Christian:
Christian nationalism is ahistorical and un-American. To many believers of that faith, it’s also un-Christian. Among them is the Rev. Thomas Reese, a Jesuit priest and columnist for Religion News Service.
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Disrupting Other People’s Events Because Of Your Religion Is Not Free Speech:
Christian nationalists talk a lot about “religious freedom.” But some of their followers have demonstrated through their actions (like disrupting drag queen story hours and Pagan festivals) that they mean religious freedom only for themselves.
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This N.C. Politician Says Science And History Are Controversial Subjects—So Let’s Just Stop Teaching Them In Elementary School:
In a forthcoming memoir, North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson argues that elementary schools shouldn’t teach science and history. This assertion aligns with the growing Christian nationalist assault on public schools and public libraries—part of a crusade to keep children as ignorant as possible.
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Get Involved—Check Out AU’s Upcoming Events:
Find additional details and a full list of events at [link removed]

Sept. 17, 7 p.m. ET (Virtual): “An American Muslim Perspective on Religion, Politics, Patriotism and Patriarchy,” featuring Ameena Mirza Qazi, the co-director of the Peace and Justice Law Center and former deputy executive director and staff attorney for the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Greater Los Angeles Area Chapter. Presented by AU’s Orange County, Calif., Chapter. Sign up here: [link removed]

Sept. 21, 8 p.m. ET (Virtual): “Voter Suppression: Christian Nationalism's Attempts to Control Who Votes,” featuring AU VP of Strategic Communications Andrew L. Seidel and journalist Sarah Posner. Presented by AU’s Greater Houston Chapter. Sign up here: [link removed]


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Americans United for Separation of Church and State
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