Americans United for Separation of Church and State’s President and CEO Rachel Laser issued the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s new religious liberty commission, which is staffed with Christian Nationalists and which he created on the National Day of Prayer:
“This commission is not about religious liberty, but about advancing Christian Nationalism.
“True religious freedom requires equality among religions and between religion and nonreligion in the eyes of the law and at every level of our government. Trump clearly designed this commission to favor conservative Christians, especially those who want to use the power of our government to impose their religion on others.
“Both the majority of commissioners and commission’s six areas of focus show that it’s all about advancing Christian Nationalism. Chairman Patrick has frequently claimed that America is a ‘Christian nation’ and his actions repeatedly show a desire to impose his personal religion on all Americans using the machinery of the state – a gross violation of our religious freedom.
“True religious freedom means we each have the right to live as ourselves and believe as we choose, so long as we don’t harm others. This commission makes a mockery of religious freedom.”
During the signing ceremony, Trump questioned the importance of the separation of church and state, asking “the separation, I don’t know, is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
Laser added in response, “The separation of church and state is a wonderful thing. Not only is it an American invention, but it’s also the only guarantee we have for true religious liberty. This country needs a renewed national recommitment – and a new and different commission – to defend church-state separation.”
Americans United is a religious freedom advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, AU educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom.
Liz Hayes
Associate Vice President of Communications
[email protected]
