June, 26 2017, 12:00am EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Rob Boston or Liz Hayes, 202.466.3234, www.au.org, communications@au.org
Americans United Dismayed By U.S. Supreme Court's Decision in Trinity Lutheran Church v. Comer
Ruling Is A Blow To Country’s Fundamental Principle Of Church-State Separation, Religious Freedom Advocacy Group Says
WASHINGTON
Today the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia v. Comer that the state of Missouri must give taxpayer funding to a house of worship - a blow to our country's fundamental principle of church-state separation.
The Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, issued the following statement:
"This ruling undermines the bedrock principle that no American should be forced to support a religion against his or her will. The religious freedom protections enshrined in state constitutions are worth more than resurfacing a playground.
"Taxpayer-funded religion is bad for churches, communities and citizens. Americans United will continue to fight to buttress the church-state wall because that's the only thing that can ensure true religious freedom for everyone.
"This ruling threatens to open the door to more taxpayer support for religion, which is at odds with our history, traditions and common sense."
Information about AU's work on the case is available here.
Americans United is a religious liberty watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom.
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