Today, in a divided decision and with one recusal, the Supreme Court of the United States ultimately upheld the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s ruling that public funding for religious schools is unconstitutional.
American Atheists filed an amicus brief last month urging the Court to recognize a taxpayer-funded religious school would be antithetical to our nation’s history and traditions. The brief was joined by the American Humanist Association, Secular Student Alliance, Secular Coalition for America, and the Center for Inquiry.
“Today’s ruling is a major victory for nonreligious Americans and, indeed, for all supporters of church-state separation. The lower court got it right: The First Amendment is clear our government must never compel taxpayers to support a particular religion,” said Nick Fish, president of American Atheists.
Also today, a federal judge blocked – at least temporarily – the White House’s unlawful directive to dismantle the Department of Education. The agency has been ordered to reinstate laid-off employees to prevent “the irreparable harm” caused by a “loss of essential services” that are required by Congress, including the enforcement of civil rights laws.
“While we celebrate both of these wins, we also know Christian Nationalists will not stop here, and neither will we,” said Fish. “The very principle of religious freedom for all remains under attack. Our nonsectarian public schools are still under attack. Just last night, the House passed a disastrous voucher bill to divert public dollars to unaccountable and discriminatory religious schools. We must remain vigilant and continue fighting every day to defend the First Amendment against revisionists and religious supremacists.”
