Religious Liberty

The ACLU-SC strives 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.

Collage of praying hands, a Bible, pregnancy tests, and pride flags

The Constitution’s framers understood that religious liberty can flourish only with its separation from the government. The free exercise clause of the First Amendment guarantees the right to practice one’s religion free of government interference. The establishment clause requires the separation of church and state. Combined, they ensure religious liberty. Yet assaults on this basic freedom continue.

In the Courts

In one of the ACLU-SC's most famous cases, Silverman v. Campbell, we successfully defended the right of South Carolinians to hold elected office regardless of their religious affiliation. We continue to fight in the courts the protect the religious freedom of all South Carolinians.

In the Legislature

Christian nationalism presents the clearest threat to religious liberty in South Carolina. When political leaders seek to enforce their religious beliefs in law, we are there to remind them that the First Amendment applies everywhere.

The Latest


Podcast
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Episode 8: Without a Prayer

Dr. Herb Silverman ran for governor of South Carolina to challenge the state’s unconstitutional religious oath requirement for public office. Today we are joined by Herb as well as Dr. Bonnie Cleaveland, a leader with the Secular Humanists of the Lowcountry who has found herself tangled up in a fight over comprehensive sex education in the Charleston County School District. Secular Coalition for America: https://secular.org/ Secular Humanists of the Lowcountry: https://lowcountryhumanists.org/ Herb’s website: https://www.herbsilverman.com/ PRRI survey: “Support for Christian Nationalism in All 50 States” https://www.prri.org/research/support-for-christian-nationalism-in-all-50-states/ Theme music by Daft Hartley.
News & Commentary
"The Danger of Christian Nationalism" in white text over a Statehouse dome waving the US and Christian flags

The danger of Christian nationalism

The First Amendment is fundamental, and it’s under attack
News & Commentary
South Carolina Statehouse dome tinted blue and yellow

Statehouse Dispatch: Session in Review

We stopped some of the worst bills in their tracks. The work isn't finished.
News & Commentary
South Carolina Statehouse dome tinted blue and yellow

Private: Statehouse Dispatch: Session in Review

Good news: We stopped some of the worst bills in their tracks

Cases, Campaigns & Legislation


Court Case
Jan 24, 2012

Anderson v. Chesterfield County Schools

Legislation
Jan 21, 2026

Ten Commandments in Schools (H. 4762)

Schools would be required to display the Ten Commandments, starting with “I AM the Lord thy God,” in a prominent place in every classroom. This is a crystal-clear example of establishment of religion.
Status: Active
Position: Oppose
Legislation
Dec 11, 2024

Chaplains in Schools (S. 122)

Status: Active
Position: Oppose
Legislation
Dec 11, 2024

Teaching the Bible in Public Schools (S. 134)

Status: Active
Position: Oppose