Two alarming pieces of legislation in Alabama would infringe upon the religious freedom rights of students and families. That’s why the Interfaith Alliance of Central Alabama and other faith leaders in the state are pushing back in defense of church-state separation.
In a powerful demonstration of unity, clergy and faith leaders across Alabama are taking a stand against House Bill 231 (HB231) introduced by Representative Reed Ingram on February 6, 2025. This bill seeks to put a state constitutional amendment on the ballot to require a “Judeo-Christian” prayer in public K-12 schools. If found in violation, a school district that chooses not to participate could have 25% or more of its funding withheld, ultimately hurting our children's education and ability to thrive.
The Interfaith Alliance of Central Alabama organized a prayer vigil and rally in front of the State House in Montgomery to voice their opposition to what they see as a threat against religious freedom and pluralism. In a statement from the Central Alabama affiliate Executive Director, Rev. Julie Conrady said, "Believe in the power of prayer, and that government-sponsored prayer diminishes the independence and freedom of religious institutions." The affiliate also affirms, "Prayer is a deeply personal matter best left to families and faith communities, not government officials." Prayer vigils such as this have served as a plea for divine intervention and an affirmation of shared faith, reinforcing the belief that God is present where two or more are gathered, even amidst chaos.
The Interfaith Alliance of Central Alabama, alongside other civil rights organizations, argues that the bill directly contradicts constitutional protections by forcing religious practices onto students of diverse backgrounds. “Our public schools should be places where all children, regardless of faith, feel safe and included,” said one leader at the Montgomery rally. “This bill forces one religious perspective into the classroom, violating the fundamental principle of church and state separation.” Christian nationalist rhetoric is infused into bills such as this through language like, “Judeo-Christian values, voluntary, and continued patterns of intentional refusal to comply”, which was used to justify infusing Christian ideology into government functions, despite the U.S. being founded on religious pluralism. The bill quotes, “A prayer representative of the Judeo-Christian values upon which the United States was founded.” While the bill states students can opt out, peer pressure and administrative enforcement can make this choice difficult, leading to implicit pressure and intimidation in schools. Legislature, its fate remains uncertain.
In a recent media clip from the prayer vigil, Rev. Julie Conrady, the affiliate's President prophetically claims: “Our Government cannot flip one religion above all others.” Rev. Conrady noted that this prayer mandate would, “creates a hodgepodge of a prayer and is ineffectual.” Rev. Conrady comes from a background as a former AP Government teacher, and she inspires us to see the importance and vital way she can amplify the shape-shifting narrative and the prophetic in lay ministry. This testament to perseverance, and a sacred act of solidarity, affirming that justice and righteousness are not only moral imperatives but divine mandates.
Interfaith Alliance of Central Alabama also organized in opposition to Senate Bill 166, which would mandate the posting of the Ten Commandments in public schools. Several leaders testified before an Alabama Senate public hearing on March 5th. They argued that the bill would infringe on the diverse religious beliefs of students and their families. A letter signed by 34 Alabama faith leaders representing Methodist, Presbyterian, Muslim, Baptist, Disciples of Christ, Unitarian Universalist, Jewish, Episcopalian, Buddhist, and other faith traditions, states: “Not only do these unconstitutional bills coerce our public school students into reading a religious text, they also require the use of a specific translation of the Ten Commandments… that are not remotely universal or inclusive of all faith traditions, even among those of us who incorporate or hold sacred the Ten Commandments.”
The legislation is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, but currently stands still in the education policy committee for further discussions.
What are we called to in this moment?
- Amplify the Voices of Faith Leaders
- Empowering more religious leaders and clergy perspectives to speak, write op-eds, and testify in public hearings is crucial. Speak with the leadership of your house of worship about why these issues matter, empower the discernment of engaging in this type of advocacy, and how houses of worship can continue to advocate for the rights of all. Your conviction and beliefs against injustice can significantly impact the fight against SB166 and HB231.
- Mobilize Communities for Advocacy
- Contact state legislators, leave voice mails, and urge them to oppose SB166 and HB231.
- Organize town halls and community discussions on the implications of government-endorsed religious messaging in schools and the community impact/resources. Reach out to church leadership for hosting these in houses of worship.
- Prepare for Legal Challenges
- If SB166 passes, it is likely to face constitutional challenges. The U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled against government-mandated religious displays in public schools.
- Stand Firm in Our Commitment to the Power of Prayer
- The heart of interfaith work is embracing religious diversity, not enforcing uniformity. This moment calls us to live out our faith traditions’ values of compassion and love for everyone.
- Reach out to Central Alabama Interfaith Alliance, discover ways the community can provide communal care and resistance against harmful policy through spiritual formation.
The political agenda is apparent, but we can no longer stand idly by; we must unite as a community. However, allyship and advocacy for transformation demand ongoing work, self-reflection, and action that brings systemic change. Lay and clergy leadership must be willing to confront systemic racism and injustices outside and within the pulpit, to speak for those who have been silenced. By creating a space in and out of houses of worship, the many dear values of human respect, compassion, and equity can be preached and practiced with fellowship.
Kennedy Perry is currently an Organizing Intern at Interfaith Alliance.
Jewish Communal Responses to Trump’s Antisemitism Agenda
In response to the Trump administration’s Executive Order about antisemitism, many Jewish groups have spoken up to reject the instrumentalization of Jewish safety to target other religious minorities. Interfaith Alliance joins them in working to combat distinct forms of hatred and bigotry together.
Jesus Christ’s Kingship: Religious Freedom or Religious Imposition?
In North Dakota’s Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly, House Concurrent Resolution 3020, introduced by Representatives Rios, Christianson, Henderson, Holle, Hoverson, Morton, Nehring, VanWinkle, K. Anderson, J. Johnson, and Senators Walen and Weston, has ignited a considerable debate about infringement on religious freedom. At the heart of this controversy is a proposal to acknowledge Jesus Christ’s Kingship to redeem society. However, clergy, interfaith communities, and community members warn that this measure threatens religious freedom and moves toward government endorsement of Christianity.
