Advocacy
Court Ruling Against Louisiana’s Ten Commandments Law is a Win for True Religious Freedom
Interfaith Alliance, a leading advocate for healthy boundaries between religion and government, welcomed the ruling by a US District Court Judge that Louisiana's new law requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments is unconstitutional and cannot be enforced.
In response to the ruling, Interfaith Alliance’s president and CEO Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush shared the following comment:
“Today’s ruling is a victory for the Constitution and for true religious freedom – which requires ensuring that no one religious group is allowed to impose their viewpoint on all Americans. Louisiana’s Ten Commandments law is blatant religious coercion that should have absolutely no place in public schools. Placing the Ten Commandments in schools is a de facto establishment of a religion and a direct attack on the intent of the founders of our country.
"The ruling is also a victory for families of students of all faiths and beliefs who believe that they, not the government, should control the religious formation of their children. As a pastor, a parent, and an American I applaud this ruling.
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Department of Education Gets Patriotism Wrong
Interfaith Alliance, together with major religious organizations committed to religious freedom and education, has submitted a formal comment to the U.S. Department of Education opposing the proposed priority and definitions on promoting patriotic education.
Moral Courage in Action: Faith Communities Confront Executive Overreach
This June, the Trump administration deployed the National Guard to California following widespread protests against a series of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across the city; protesters stood in solidarity with immigrant communities and voiced opposition to mass deportation. Executive overreach under the guise of making communities “safer” threatens the freedom and safety of protesters and distorts democratic norms. In August, the administration further displayed overreach by deploying National Guard troops and quelling protests in Washington, D.C. In September, the administration announced that Portland, Oregon, would be the next city to have troops mobilized in its community. In response, faith communities, along with their partners, have not relented and are pushing back in defense of immigrant rights and the integrity of our democracy.
Interfaith Solidarity with LDS Communities
These past few weeks have been some of the hardest for our partners in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). On September 27th, LDS Church President Russell M. Nelson passed away at the age of 101. President Nelson served as the Church’s 17th president and was a leader in promoting deep partnerships during a trying time in the Church’s history, including with other faith communities. We extend our deepest condolences to members of the LDS Church and wish them comfort as they mourn the passing of such an important leader.