Defending the Rights of Religious Minorities
The ACLU works in courts, legislatures, and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and the laws of the United States guarantee everyone in this country.
The Latest
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Religious Discrimination Persists in Zoning Proceedings, Despite Strong Legal Protections
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A Mississippi City Blocked a Proposed Mosque Due to Anti-Muslim Prejudice. We’re Suing.
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People of Minority Faiths Could Be Turned Away From Taxpayer-Funded Programs
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Airman Becomes First Sikh American to Complete Basic and Technical Training with A Religious Accommodation
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What's at Stake
Religious freedom is one of America’s most fundamental liberties and a central principle upon which our nation was founded. Unfortunately, though, throughout this country’s history almost every religious group has been the target of discrimination at one point or another. Tolerance and fairness have generally prevailed, but only after principled voices have transcended prejudice and hatred.
Even as the ACLU vigorously defends the rights of Christians, we are mindful of the often severely disproportionate threat to the rights and well-being of religious minorities. In recent years, for example, Muslim and Sikh communities in the United States have faced a disturbing wave of bigotry and outright hostility. From religiously motivated discrimination and attacks on existing and proposed religious centers to misguided congressional hearings, minorities are being unfairly targeted simply for exercising their basic constitutional right to religious liberty.
We must always—especially in times of controversy—vigilantly uphold our core values. When we violate one group’s religious freedom, everyone’s liberty is at stake.
Religious freedom is one of America’s most fundamental liberties and a central principle upon which our nation was founded. Unfortunately, though, throughout this country’s history almost every religious group has been the target of discrimination at one point or another. Tolerance and fairness have generally prevailed, but only after principled voices have transcended prejudice and hatred.
Even as the ACLU vigorously defends the rights of Christians, we are mindful of the often severely disproportionate threat to the rights and well-being of religious minorities. In recent years, for example, Muslim and Sikh communities in the United States have faced a disturbing wave of bigotry and outright hostility. From religiously motivated discrimination and attacks on existing and proposed religious centers to misguided congressional hearings, minorities are being unfairly targeted simply for exercising their basic constitutional right to religious liberty.
We must always—especially in times of controversy—vigilantly uphold our core values. When we violate one group’s religious freedom, everyone’s liberty is at stake.