June 26: Religious Discrimination

Pray 

Pray that government officials respect and include faith-based organizations in public programs. 

Reflect 

Religious liberty ensures that people of faith can fully participate in the life of the political community. When a government creates programs that aim to serve the common good in some way, religious organizations ought to have the opportunity to participate in those programs. Unfortunately, many governments have included legislative provisions that bar religious organizations from participating in public programs, or bar the use of public funds for religious activities. In recent decisions, the Supreme Court has indicated that governments cannot discriminate against religious organizations simply because they are religious. Moreover, early in his second term, President Donald Trump signed an executive order requiring agencies to ensure that all rules are in compliance with Carson v. Makin. In the coming year, religious freedom would receive a significant boost if legislation were passed that repealed the discriminatory provisions that remain in federal statutes. 

Act 

Learn more about federal and state laws that discriminate against religious conduct in government programs. This coalition of religious liberty advocates developed this tool to help researchers, advocates, and policymakers identify laws that still violate the bedrock rule that discrimination against religious institutions violates the First Amendment. It documents laws that deny religious believers or religious organizations the right to participate in public programs, and which may be unconstitutional as a result.