Can you spot the MYTHS being spread about religious freedom today?

Polling suggests that Americans value religious freedom.  But tragically, many—including Christians—don’t understand it.

As a result, the marketplace of ideas is littered with myths about religious freedom and its role in American society.  Sometimes those myths lead to people being targeted or punished simply for living out their faith.

The “Separation of Church and State” Myth

You likely have heard about Thomas Jefferson’s letter touting a “wall of separation” between church and state. People often use that line to justify discrimination against religious groups and individuals.

But that line and logic are found nowhere in the Constitution. Instead, the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause protects the church from government control. It does not wall off the public from religious expression. Yet, even today, this “wall of separation” myth continues to inspire discrimination against religious groups.

This must stop!

The “Religious Freedom Only Benefits Certain Groups” Myth

Religious freedom is a God-given right. It is grounded in the fact that human beings are made in God’s image, endowed with reason, free will, and an immortal soul. America’s Founders knew that government has a duty to preserve that freedom for each person to follow his or her own conscience.

In other words, religious freedom is for the atheist, the Buddhist, the Muslim, the Jew, and the Christian alike.

In addition, studies have shown that countries with high degrees of religious freedom are more stable and possess a greater level of flourishing.

The “Religious Freedom Is Just an Excuse for Discrimination” Myth

This may be the most common—and destructive—myth about religious freedom. You’ve likely heard activists deploy this myth as a weapon to shame and marginalize Americans who simply want to peacefully live and work according to their faith without fear of government punishment—for example, artists who want to express messages that line up with their deepest convictions. Yet this freedom protects all Americans.

With true religious freedom, we tolerate a diversity of opinions and don’t use the government to punish those who hold a different view. There should be—there must be—room in the public square for people on all sides of a debate to peaceably express their beliefs without fear of government punishment.

But last year’s election results don’t mean the battle has been won.  Far from it!

The radical activists who oppose freedom of speech and freedom of conscience and embrace gender ideology haven’t given up.  They are doubling down and threatening to attack freedom even more aggressively.

The threats to your freedoms aren’t going away.  Will you give today to help stand against these attacks—and uphold the rights that allow families, faith communities, and our country to flourish?

A generous friend of Alliance Defending Freedom has offered a $287,000 Challenge Grant.  Your gift today will help maximize the impact of the Challenge Grant in defense of religious freedom.

Thank you!