Since 1947, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State has defended the constitutional protection of the separation of government and religion. Americans United vigorously advocates in the courts, legislatures, and the public square to protect everyone’s freedom to believe as they choose — and stop anyone from using their beliefs to harm others. Americans United aggressively opposes Christian Nationalism and fights for the preservation of our democratic principles. Americans United envisions a nation where our government does not promote any religion or spiritual belief and where we come together as equals to build a stronger democracy. Visit Americans United at au.org. Below is a recently featured article from Americans United’s monthly magazine.

Church & State

America’s Best Idea: The Separation of Church and State

At the first meeting of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, John Adams recalled many years later, a motion to open the gathering with prayer “was opposed because we were so divided in religious sentiments — some were Episcopalians, some Quakers, some Anabaptists, some Presbyterians, and some Congregationalists — so that we could not join in the same act of worship.” Samuel Adams, John Adams’s cousin and a firebrand from Boston, finally rose and broke the deadlock. Pronouncing himself “no bigot,” he allowed that he “could hear a prayer from any gentleman of piety and virtue, who was at the same time a friend to his country.” READ MORE…

October 2025 Church & State Magazine

First Amendment

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

150 Years Ago: Words from a U.S. President that Ring Loudly Today

General Ulysses S. Grant, having played a pivotal role in defeating the Confederate States of America, afterward won the 1868 and 1872 presidential elections. A century after the beginning of the America Revolution — and six months after signing the Civil Rights Act of 1875 — Grant, addressing the men he had earlier led into battle, argued that the separation of religion and state was necessary for true freedom. READ MORE…

November 2025 Church & State Magazine