News & Commentary

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David Loy, legal director of the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties, and author of the letter that alerted the school to the constitutional issue, responded by saying, "As always, we are pleased to reach a mutually agreeable solution without litigation. I am satisfied that the school and district understand the serious issues raised. Though I don't dispute the school's intent was worthy, a public school must avoid the effect, intentional or not, of giving aid to religion. This principle keeps government out of the business of religion, as our founders intended."

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Dec. 8, 2014 - While commending a middle school’s public spirit, the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties raised serious concerns about the school’s sponsorship of fundraising for a religious organization. As stated on San Marcos Middle School’s website, the school is “partnering” with Kids Around the World, which “exists to reach children around the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” to raise $3,500 to provide meals for children in Tanzania.

Acknowledging it is “a worthy goal” to provide for needy children, David Loy, legal director of

Some members of the public may be surprised or confused by this. It is no wonder, given the misinformation out there. But, sadly, the non-existent "War on Christmas" is in reality a cynical rallying cry for some fringe groups seeking attention.
In a Salon interview ("How the secular humanist grinch didn't steal Christmas"), Chip Berlet, a senior analyst at Political Research Associates, "one of the foremost experts on the religious right," says, "You have a dynamic here, where you have the Christian right hysterically over-representing the problem, and then anecdotally you have some towns where lawyers restrict any kind of display or representation of religion, which is equally absurd. It's a closed loop. In that dynamic, neither the secular humanists or the ACLU are playing a role."

In other words, the extremist groups have invented their own nightmare, and then feed off its effects.

Of course, meaningful freedom of religion is possible only because of a separation between government and religion. So, this Christmas, we ask those who wish a war in the name of Christmas to put down arms. Instead, why not take up these few simple guidelines for respecting the interdependent principles of freedom of religion and separation of church and state:

Christmas displays, including nativity scenes, are perfectly acceptable at homes and chu

The Board of the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties recognizes esteemed board member Jim McElroy, for receiving one of the American Association for Justice’s top honors, the Leonard Weinglass in Defense of Civil Liberties Award this week. The Weinglass award is presented to the person “who has made a notable contribution to the defense of civil liberties by bringing, trying, or resolving a suit, or by otherwise protecting or advancing civil liberties, in a way that has had a significant impact in the past year or over the course of his/her career,” according to a statement by the AAJ, formerly known as the American Trial Lawyers Association.