Freedom of Religion and Belief

The ACLU works to safeguard the First Amendment’s guarantee of religious liberty by ensuring that laws and governmental practices neither promote religion nor interfere with its free exercise.

Image collage of four images. Top left: a pregnancy test laying on a table, bottom left image is hands held together in prayer, top right image of a religious book, bottom right a crowd holding LGBTQ pride flags.

The ACLU of Massachusetts will always defend the separation of church and state. We also defend the right to hold and express diverse religious beliefs or no religious beliefs at all.

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits the government from establishing a national religion or interfering with the free exercise of religion, with very rare exceptions. Our state Constitution offers similar protections.

The Latest

Press Release
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Massachusetts Court Blocks Religious Statues on Government Building in Quincy

Norfolk Superior Court granted a preliminary injunction blocking the planned installation of two large statues of Catholic saints outside the entrance of the new public safety headquarters in Quincy.
Press Release
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Advocates, experts call on lawmakers to ban sale of cellphone location data

Reproductive advocacy groups, abortion care providers, privacy and technology experts, LGBTQ+ organizations, and others called on state lawmakers to pass the Location Shield Act.
Press Release
Boston City Hall

Boston City Council candidates show views on civil rights, public safety

Where do Boston City Council candidates stand on critical issues impacting the daily lives of Boston residents?
Resource
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2019 Boston City Council Candidate Questionnaire

Court Case
May 27, 2025

Fitzmaurice et al. v. City of Quincy

In May 2025, a multifaith group of Quincy residents and taxpayers filed a lawsuit to stop the planned installation of two large religious statues at the entrance of the city’s new public safety building. The plaintiffs are members of diverse faiths who do not want their government officials...
Court Case
Oct 16, 2020

Jess v. Summer Hill Estates Condominium Trust

The ACLU of Massachusetts is suing on behalf of a woman in Belchertown who was ordered--unlawfully--by the trustees of her condominium to remove a "Black Lives Matter" sign that she had placed in front of her unit.
Court Case
Jan 31, 2017

Louhghalam v. Trump

We're challenging President Trump's unconstitutional ban on Muslims.