First Amendment - Establishment Clause Study Group - League of Women Voters of Colorado

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Religious Freedom Study Group Position: Approved on April 1, 2025

The League of Women Voters of Colorado stands for the separation of church and state and religious freedom founded upon individual conscience, free of social or political influence by any state or religious body; these fundamental civil rights are threatened by religious nationalism.

The First Amendment of the US Constitution reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” The League of Women Voters of Colorado believes that the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment are cornerstones of our democracy.

VIEW STUDY PAPER HERE
PRESENTATION SLIDES

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM STUDY GROUP: VIDEOS

Religious Freedom Study Group
MEETING DATE: December 16, 2024

SUMMARY
The group discuss the challenges of defining religious nationalism and religious nationalism. They also emphasize the importance of empathy, understanding, and community support in fostering good dialogue and addressing social issues. The conversation concludes with a focus on the role of churches and the Interfaith Alliance in promoting morality, advocating for minorities, and centering the most marginalized people in their efforts towards collective liberation.

NEXT STEPS
1. Interfaith Alliance of Colorado to mobilize faith communities across the state to stand up against religious nationalism and advocate for marginalized communities.
2. League of Women Voters of Colorado to make presentations in January and February on the 1st Amendment, focusing on the establishment clause and free exercise clause.
3. League of Women Voters of Colorado to work on building bridges between different faith communities and promoting understanding and empathy.

WATCH VIDEO

Religious Freedom Study Group
MEETING DATE: November 21, 2024

SUMMARY
The League of Women Voters of Colorado and Rev. discuss the intersection of freedom of religion and the destruction of Oak Flats due to capitalist interests, the struggles of Indigenous religions and spiritualities in the United States, and the influence of certain organizations and their political agendas. The conversation also highlights the need for active engagement in promoting a more inclusive and just society, particularly within the context of Christianity, and the potential impact of the rise of deceptors on freedom of religion in America. Lastly, the discussion touched on the challenges faced by religious institutions in adapting to the 21st century and the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of interfaith dialogue and understanding.

NEXT STEPS
1. Liz to continue her work in raising up generations of religious and community leaders who can call out the extremism in some Christian movements and promote a gospel of justice, peace, and love.
2. The Apache stronghold to continue their fight to protect Oak Flat and defend their freedom of religion against the destruction of their sacred land by multinational mining corporations.
3. Faith leaders and communities to reject the extremism in some Christian movements and promote a gospel of justice, peace, and love that aligns with the teachings of Jesus and the Bible.

WATCH IT HERE

Religious Freedom Study Group
MEETING DATE: November 20, 2024

SUMMARY
The League of Women Voters of Colorado and Jonathan Wilson Hargrove discuss the importance of religious freedom, the potential misuse of religious liberty, and the need for empathy and understanding in today's society. They also explore the role of the Church in addressing social issues, the concept of a "deep story" in the United States, and the influence of Christian nationalism on various religious communities. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the need for people of different faiths to listen to each other's stories and concerns, and the potential for using their church to recapture the original story of Christianity.

NEXT STEPS
1. Jonathan to continue working on counter-cultural efforts to challenge the narrative of Christian nationalism and promote a more inclusive and just vision of Christianity.
2. LWVCO to explore ways to cultivate religious freedom in the United States, including facilitating conversations among people of different faith traditions and promoting mutual understanding and respect.
3. Jonathan to continue advocating for policies that address poverty and economic inequality, such as increasing the minimum wage and providing affordable housing.
4. The League of Women Voters of Colorado to consider ways to support and amplify the work of organizations like the Poor People's Campaign and the School for Conversion, which are working to promote social justice and challenge systems of oppression.

WATCH IT HERE

Religious Freedom Study Group
MEETING DATE: November 12, 2024

SUMMARY
The League of Women Voters of Colorado and Bob Nagel, Professor Emeritus Constitutional Law, discuss the importance of religious freedom.

Robert Nagel joined the faculty of Colorado Law School in 1975, leaving a position as a deputy attorney general in Pennsylvania. Since that time, he has focused on constitutional law and theory. For an audience of legal scholars, Professor Nagel has written prolifically, including four books and over 50 law review articles. He has also contributed to the popular debate on constitutional issues, including free speech, hate codes, and federalism, by addressing his ideas to the general citizenry in articles and opinion pieces in publications such as The New Republic, the Wall Street Journal, First Things, and the Weekly Standard.

WATCH IT HERE
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