With Congress

Our nation’s public schools educate approximately 90% of American schoolchildren, helping us learn how to live together as one community. Proposals to elevate one religious belief over others or use taxpayer dollars for tuition or other expenses at private, often religious, schools pop up frequently in state and federal bills. 

BJC has long worked with a number of religious, public education, and civil liberties groups to oppose any kind of publicly funded voucher program. Simply put, religious teachings should be paid for by voluntary contributions – not through compulsory taxation. Vouchers violate the freedom of conscience of taxpayers, who have the right to insist that the government remain neutral in matters of faith. In addition, for any religious academy that might benefit financially, government funding comes with strings attached.

BJC also works to make sure our public schools are free from Christian nationalism, including opposing bills that would mandate the posting of Scripture in classrooms or bills that would conflate the role of a “chaplain” for a school counselor. We also support clear federal guidelines on religion in public schools.

BJC was founded on the principle of religious liberty for all, including people of every faith and those who do not claim a religious tradition. 

One example: BJC supports the Save Oak Flat From Foreign Mining Act (H.R. 1351), which was introduced in the previous Congress. It would keep an Indigenous sacred space currently within the boundaries of Tonto National Forest protected from total destruction by a foreign mining operation.

We also oppose efforts to infuse Christian nationalism into our public schools or other areas, including through problematic proposals that would force Bible teaching or mandate the posting of the Ten Commandments. Hear more in this podcast from 2024. One religious belief should not be elevated in the law over others.

Those are just two of many projects BJC undertakes to defend religious freedom for everyone.

In countries around the world, blasphemy laws exist that criminalize religious dissent, stifle religious expression and undermine human rights. They are often used to silence religious minorities and punish political opponents, fostering religious intolerance, discrimination and violence. In December 2020, both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate passed bipartisan resolutions that called for the State Department and the administration to prioritize the repeal of such laws in foreign policy. BJC supported both measures (H.Res. 512 and S.Res. 458). These laws still exist in more than 80 countries, so the work continues as we support our global neighbors seeking faith freedom for all.

BJC is a leading voice in fighting various attempts to repeal the “Johnson Amendment” — the provision in the tax code that prohibits 501(c)(3) nonprofits from partisan campaigning. This law currently allows houses of worship and other religious charities to engage issues and carry out their missions without the political pressure and additional dangers that come with endorsing and opposing candidates, including turning their offering plates into political slush funds. So far, our efforts have preserved the Johnson Amendment. But, the battle continues.

It’s a well-known adage that government money comes with “strings attached.” It’s also a constitutional principle that government must not advance religion, and therefore it cannot directly fund religion. For example, when Congress offers disaster relief through FEMA, are churches eligible for those funds? BJC says no, taxpayers should not be forced to build — or rebuild — churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, and other houses of worship. Should a Christian nonprofit in South Carolina participate in a federally-funded foster-care program, even though it will only work with Protestant families? BJC says that’s crossing the line — government-funded services must be available to all regardless of religion. Delicate issues will continue to arise, and BJC supports the kinds of laws and regulations that protect religious liberty rights of beneficiaries while permitting the government to partner with faith-based organizations to meet its secular interests.