Protecting Religious Freedom

et us never believe that the freedom of religion imposes on any of us some responsibility to run from our convictions. Let us instead respect one another’s faiths, fight to the death to preserve the right of every American to practice whatever convictions he or she has, but bring our values back to the table of American discourse to heal our troubled land.”

—President Bill Clinton

Religion has always played a central role in the President’s life. The President firmly believes that religion is an issue that should draw us together — strengthening, rather than dividing, our communities. He has worked hard to help people of different faiths find common ground while adhering to the spirit of the First Amendment and its imperative that our government must neither establish nor interfere with religion, but rather respect the role religion plays in our families and in our nation.

President Clinton has protected the religious freedoms Americans treasure by:

	Signing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) — one of the most important civil rights bills for religion in American history. Supported by nearly 70 civic and religious groups, the RFRA mandates that government cannot interfere with religious practice unless health and/or safety are jeopardized. Even then, the government must pursue its interest in the manner least burdensome to religion.
	President Clinton directed the general counsel of each department of the federal government to prepare a report on religious rights issues that could arise in the course of their department’s operations and to designate a staff lawyer to monitor new policies for violations of the RFRA. These procedures insure that federal agencies take account of Americans’ religious sensibilities at the earliest stages of the policy-making process.
	President Clinton directed the Justice Department to file a brief arguing that the RFRA entitled a church to retain money contributed by a bankrupt couple. The 8th U.S. Circuit Court affirmed President Clinton’s opinion, ruling that the protection of creditors was not a compelling government interest of the sort required to justify encroachment upon religious freedom under the RFRA.
	Directing the Justice Department to issue guidelines on acceptable forms of religious expression in public schools. The Administration’s 1995 Guidance on Religion in Public School directs school officials to permit forms of religious expression, including allowing students to bring Bibles to school, to participate in student religious groups, and to say grace before meals. The President wanted to give guidance that could help parents, teachers, school officials, and community leaders work together to address these difficult issues.
	Working to end church arson. President Clinton moved quickly to focus the nation’s attention and resources to help stop the rash of church burnings across the country, prosecute those responsible, and speed the rebuilding process. The President enacted legislation toughening criminal penalties for those convicted of burning religious institutions, providing loan guarantees to non-profit groups — including churches — victimized by arson, and appropriating funds to combat church arson. He also established a task force to coordinate investigations of church fires and ordered the establishment of a 24 hour, toll-free hotline to collect information on church fires.
	Recognizing the role of religious freedom in promoting democratic virtues by declaring January 14th as Religious Freedom Day. President Clinton invited Americans to use the day to reflect upon “the awesome power of religious liberty, not only to unite the citizenry in common cause, but also to empower us to question age-old beliefs and lift this Nation toward enlightenment.”

Building on Our Progress

America is blessed with adherents of every significant religion, but what truly distinguishes this nation is the ability of Americans of different faiths to live side by side and work together for the common good. President Clinton will continue to protect the religious freedom of every American by:

	Promoting character education. President Clinton will continue to actively promote the teaching of ethical values in America’s schools. Recognizing that basic moral values such as discipline, tolerance, and civility are common to all beliefs, the President will continue to encourage schools to teach young people how to be good citizens as well as successful students. The Clinton Administration has provided grants to help school districts develop comprehensive character-education programs.
	Continuing to use the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to protect religious freedom. President Clinton ordered the EEOC to file its first class-action suit on the basis of religion. The EEOC challenged Dillard Department Store’s mandatory weekend work policy, ultimately settling the case in favor of the claimants whose religious beliefs did not allow them to work during the Sabbath. Many churches and synagogues were prepared to join the government’s case as friends of the court. The President will continue to use this option when appropriate.

Meeting Our Challenges Protecting Our Values