RELIGION OUT OF GOVERNMENT
The Jewish Voice for Religious Freedom
Why Secular Democracy?
The surest safeguard of all citizens’ rights is a government neutral to religion including those with no religion. Jews have a unique role in this effort.
Why Should Jews Care?
Jews have benefited greatly from secular democracy; now we have a responsibility to ensure that all others have the same freedoms.
What’s Happening Now?
The US is currently experiencing a powerful reactionary wave of religious fundamentalism that has gained influence in all levels of government.
We bring Jews to action
Through advocacy, mobilizing people and resources, and partnerships with allies, Jews for a Secular Democracy brings more Jews to action on religion-state issues.
While there are great organizations in the secular world fighting for the separation of church and state, and great Jewish organizations fighting for social justice in general, Jews for a Secular Democracy is a unique initiative focused on issues of religion-state separation from a Jewish perspective.
Key Issues We Address
Ending Government-Sanctioned Discrimination
We oppose so-called “religious freedom” laws that allow businesses to discriminate against customers they object to on religious grounds. Jews were once excluded from commercial enterprises and we won’t accept it again, no matter who the target.
Requiring Science-Based Government Decisions.
Climate change is real, “conversion therapy” is not. Regulatory agencies like the FDA and EPA should be led by scientists. Jews have long demonstrated how religion can coexist with an acceptance of science and must counter the assault against evidence-based policymaking.
Rejecting Policies Guided by Just One Religion’s Version of “Family Values.”
We demand full marriage equality, LGBTQ rights, women’s equality, equal pay, family leave, and reproductive rights based on constitutional and secular principles, not biblical passages—even if it’s our own Bible being cited.
