Public schools
Our public schools should be places where every student feels welcome regardless of their religious or nonreligious beliefs. New laws aimed at replacing school counselors with unlicensed religious chaplains, forcing public schools to post the 10 commandments, placing the Bible as part of standard learning requirements are all part of a Christian nationalist assault on our schools.
We believe in public funds for public schools
Ensuring that every child receives a quality education is a top priority across the country. But instead of investing in high quality public schools, state and local governments are increasingly embracing funding programs that redirect taxpayer dollars away from public schools and toward private, often religious, alternatives. Interfaith Alliance works to keep public money in public schools through the National Coalition for Public Education.
Stand up to government-sponsored school prayer
Don’t bring public school chaplains to my state
Education resources
We co-chair the national Coalition for Religious Freedom in Public Schools with Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the Sikh Coalition. In partnership with the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, we have led the faith-based opposition to a growing effort to replace school counselors with religious chaplains.
If you’re interested in learning more about our education advocacy, please contact Tranée McDonald at tmcdonald@interfaithalliance.org.
We co-chair the national Coalition for Religious Freedom in Public Schools with Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the Sikh Coalition. In partnership with the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, we have led the faith-based opposition to a growing effort to replace school counselors with religious chaplains.
If you’re interested in learning more about our education advocacy, please contact Tranée McDonald at tmcdonald@interfaithalliance.org.
Book Bans vs. the Right to Read: Kelly Jensen and Rev. Amos Brown
This week on The State of Belief, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush welcomes Kelly Jensen. She’s a passionate advocate for intellectual freedom, democracy, and the right to read. As an editor at Book Riot and a former librarian, Kelly has been at the forefront of the fight against book bans and censorship. The urgent conversation covers the growing wave of censorship, the role of religious extremism in book-banning efforts, and what we can do to safeguard free expression and democratic values.
WATCH: Faith Leaders in Opposition to Arkansas 10 Commandements Bill
Over 50 Arkansas faith leaders have signed a letter opposing SB433, requiring the display of a government-selected version of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms and buildings. They gathered at the Capitol in Little Rock yesterday to hold a press conference that is making waves across the state.
A Crucial Test for Church-State Separation: St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School v. Drummond
In April 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear the consolidated cases of St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School v. Drummond and Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond which could redefine the boundary between religion and government in public education.
Let's build a democracy that works for all people
Together, we can make a significant impact in this pivotal moment in our nation's history.