News from the Week Jan. 9- Jan. 13, 2023
Friend:
It’s always nice to get news of a win before a holiday weekend. As you know, on Monday we honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a strong supporter of church-state separation ([link removed]). Monday is also Religious Freedom Day. And just in time to celebrate, the Biden administration announced plans to reinstitute religious freedom protections for millions of vulnerable people who use federally funded social services.
AU has led the charge to restore these protections ever since the Trump administration began rolling them back three years ago. They ensure people who rely on government-funded programs like food banks, homeless or domestic violence shelters, job training and elder care can’t be pressured to participate in religious activities or be required to meet a religious litmus test in exchange for receiving the help they need. As I said in my press statement, no one should have to sacrifice their religious freedom in order to get critical services – especially when they’re funded by taxpayers: [link removed]
This marks the second time in a few weeks that our Public Policy and Legal teams’ efforts to get the Biden administration to rescind harmful Trump-era rules have paid off. In late December, the Department of Health and Human Services announced plans to rescind the Denial of Care Rule, which invited health care workers to cite their religious beliefs to deny treatment to any patient, even in emergencies. AU, with our allies, had filed federal lawsuits to challenge both the Denial of Care Rule and the Trump regulations for social-service providers.
It takes precious time and great effort to score these victories – but we couldn’t do it without your passionate support. I hope you will pause to feel proud and celebrate these important wins with me. They are our wins.
With hope and resolve,
Rachel K. Laser
President and CEO
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Protecting Abortion Rights: It’s Up To Us
In two recent opinions, state Supreme Courts in Idaho and South Carolina came to opposite conclusions when deciding abortion rights cases.
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State Legislatures Are Back In Session – And Church-State Separation Is At Risk
While many people are focused on what has been happening in Congress, it’s important to pay attention to your state legislature – that’s where the majority of bills are introduced and passed each year.
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Religious Extremism Threatens Democracy Worldwide
The violence in Brazil was spawned by an incendiary cocktail of political and religious extremism. It’s eerily reminiscent of the Jan. 6, 2021, siege on the U.S. Capitol.
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Christian Nationalism Helped Fuel The Jan. 6, 2021, Insurrection. Americans Must Not Forget That.
Christian Nationalism provided much of the fuel that fed the flames of fanaticism that nearly burned down our democracy on Jan. 6, 2021.
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Get Involved—Check Out AU’s Upcoming Events:
Find additional details and a full list of events at [link removed]
Jan. 21, 7 p.m. ET (Virtual): Screening of “Church & State,” a film about the improbable partnership that toppled Utah's ban on same-sex marriage. Sponsored by AU's Orange County, Calif., Chapter. Sign up here: [link removed]
Feb. 18, 7 p.m. ET (Virtual): University of California at Irvine Law School Dean Austen Parrish will talk about the law school and legal education. Sponsored by AU's Orange County, Calif., Chapter. Sign up here: [link removed]
April 22 - April 24 (Virtual & In Person): The Summit for Religious Freedom (SRF) is a collaborative conference that will unify supporters, activists, organizers, policy and legal experts, academics, political and religious leaders, and committed people of faith and of no religion to fight for religious freedom. Sign up here: [link removed]
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Americans United for Separation of Church and State
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