Submitted by the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island and passed by the AEU

Whereas the American Ethical Union has in its past resolutions expressed itself as firmly opposed to any breaching of the constitutional wall of separation between church and state; and

Whereas there is today a growing attempt to avoid and evade the provisions of the First Amendment and State Constitutions in this regard, especially in the field of public education; and

Whereas pressure and influence are increasingly being brought to bear on political machinery to pass legislation and to made administrative rulings weakening the distinction between public and sectarian education and education facilities;

Therefore Be It Resolved that the American Ethical Union reaffirms its convictions that the maintenance of the separation of church and state in every area is of paramount importance for the insuring of the religious freedom of all individuals. The American Ethical Union, furthermore, calls upon its members to do all things possible to create a climate of public opinion which will oppose inroads of church upon state.

And furthermore, the American Ethical Union enjoins its members to be alert to all attempts, proposals and steps which would make it possible for religion to encroach upon the state.

And we hold it to be the ethical obligation of each member of the American Ethical Union and of its constituent Societies and groups to act with courage in opposing any and all such attempts, and to join with other like-minded groups in opposition, regarding every such attempt as subversive of our prized religious liberty and of our basic democracy.