Ahead of Oklahoma v. Drummond Oral Arguments, Interfaith Alliance Joins Amicus Curiae Brief: State-Sponsored Religion in Public Schools Undercuts Religious Freedom

WASHINGTON, DC – Interfaith Alliance, a national leader in defending religious freedom and multi-faith democracy, proudly joined an amicus curiae brief in the Supreme Court case that combines Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond and St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School v. Drummond, ahead of the start of oral arguments in the case on April 30. Interfaith Alliance is one of 11 religious organizations joining the brief.

In this case, the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board argues that, under the First Amendment, public funding for religious charter schools is required to balance public funding for nonreligious charter schools. Faith groups in the brief argue that allowing the State of Oklahoma to fund religious charter schools would allow for unconstitutional discrimination based on the faith, identity and creed of students and teachers, undermining student success and creating a dangerous precedent for religious freedom.

The full amicus brief can be found here. Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, president and CEO of Interfaith Alliance, shared the following statement: 

“Once again, the extreme religious right is trying to Trojan horse its narrow worldview into public schools and indoctrinate students, but faith communities can see it from a mile away – and we reject it. 

Perhaps members of Oklahoma’s Statewide Charter School Board fell asleep during class about religious freedom. The Constitution is crystal clear that our government cannot impose any religion on Americans. The board’s attempt to impose government-sponsored religion in public schools will undermine classroom success and the freedom of students, parents, and teachers to make their own religious decisions.”

A full list of partner organizations in the amicus brief is below:

• Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty
• Central Conference of American Rabbis
• Cooperating Baptist Fellowship of Oklahoma
• Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
• The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
• General Synod of the United Church in America
• Interfaith Alliance
• The Episcopal Church
• Muslim Public Affairs Council
• National Council of Jewish Women
• Union for Reform Judaism

Rev. Raushenbush is available for interview to discuss what’s at stake in the Drummond v. Oklahoma case. Other available Interfaith Alliance spokespeople include:

• Maggie Siddiqi, Senior Fellow, who previously served in the Department of Education as Director of the Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. 
• Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons, Vice President of Programs and Strategy, a leading Christian expert on Christian nationalism and progressive faith organizing. 

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Interfaith Alliance is a network of people of diverse faiths and beliefs from across the country working together to build a resilient democracy and fulfill America’s promise of religious freedom and civil rights not just for some, but for all. We mobilize powerful coalitions to challenge Christian nationalism and religious extremism, while fostering a better understanding of the healthy boundaries between religion and government. We advocate at all levels of government for an equitable and just America where the freedoms of belief and religious practice are protected, and where all persons are treated with dignity and have the opportunity to thrive. For more information visit interfaithalliance.org.