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About AU Sacramento Since 1947, Americans United has worked to protect the constitutional principle of church-state separation, a vital cornerstone of religious liberty. Americans of many faiths and political viewpoints, individuals from all walks of life, have come together to defend freedoms.Mandatory prayer in public schools, tax dollars for parochial schools, government intrusion into religious affairs and meddling in partisan politics by religious groups are among the troubling issues that threaten the protective wall between church and state. Daily, on your behalf, we confront these problems and those who seek to force their religious views on the public. Americans United, with more than 70,000 members, concerned citizens like you, stands as one of the most respected and trusted organizations working to preserve this Nation's heritage of freedom. With national offices in the Washington, D.C. area and a network of members and volunteers in all 50 states, Americans United fights vigorously in behalf of all citizens. Americans United Sacramento Chapter Statement of Purpose Americans United for Separation of Church and State proudly supports and defends the right of citizens to choose and live according to their own convictions, whether religious or non-religious. It traces that basic freedom to a tradition founded by Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Roger Williams, and enshrined in the First Amendment. It venerates the principle that religion is too important to be entrusted to government and encourages pluralism, tolerance, and a public life in which we the people interact on the basis of equal worth and mutual respect. Thus, Americans United considers separation of church and state a positive force in American society, a principle that encourages full participation among all people, burdens no one for following their conscience, and has encouraged a flowering of religious variety and vitality unequaled in today's world.CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . .CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 1: DECLARATION OF RIGHTS, SEC. 4: Free exercise and enjoyment of religion without discrimination or preference are guaranteed. This liberty of conscience does not excuse acts that are licentious or inconsistent with the peace or safety of the State. The Legislature shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. A person is not incompetent to be a witness or juror because of his or her opinions on religious beliefs.CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 9: EDUCATION, SEC. 8: No public money shall ever be appropriated for the support of any sectarian or denominational school, or any school not under the exclusive control of the officers of the public schools; nor shall any sectarian or denominational doctrine be taught, or instruction thereon be permitted, directly or indirectly, in any of the common schools of this State.ARTICLE 16, SECTION 5 OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE CONSTITUTION PUBLIC FUNDS; AID OF RELIGIOUS PURPOSES OR INSTITUTIONS SEC. 5: Neither the Legislature, nor any county, city and county, township, school district, or other municipal corporation, shall ever make an appropriation, or pay from any public fund whatever, or grant anything to or aid of any religious sect, church, creed, or sectarian purpose, or help to support or sustain any school, college, university, hospital, or other institution controlled by any religious creed, church, or sectarian denomination whatever; nor shall any grant or donation of personal property or real estate ever be made by the state or any city, city and county, town or other municipal corporation for any religious creed, church, or sectarian purpose whatever, provided that nothing in this section shall prevent the Legislature grating aid pursuant to section 3 of Article XVI.(Adopted November 5, 1974) |