Attacks on religious freedom in the United States have doubled in the past three years, according to the latest report by the First Liberty Institute in Texas.
The "Undeniable: The Survey to Hostility in America" documents the rise in attacks on religion. The first edition documented over 600 incidents where religious liberty was threatened or suppressed.
This year, the institute has identified 1,285 attacks on religious liberty in the U.S., doubling the number of cases in the last three years.
"The religious liberty of Americans is under attack like never before," said Kelly Shackelford, president and CEO of the First Liberty Institute. "These attacks are coming from all directions, against America's churches, in our school, in the military, and in the public arena."
He added that "the good news is, even though the number of attacks has risen, the Constitution hasn't changed. Religious liberty is still our first, foundational freedom. And when Americans stand up for their rights, they can win."
In the report, she wrote that these attacks are "eroding the bedrock on which stand vital American institutions such as government, education, the military, business, houses of worship and charity. It has the potential to wash away the ground that supports our other rights, including freedom of speech, press, assembly and government by consent of the people."
One of the cases involved Joe Kennedy, the football coach of Bremerton High School who was suspended by school authorities for praying at football games. There was also the case of a U.S. Marine who was court-martialled for refusing to take down a Bible verse.
An Orthodox Jewish synagogue was also sued by the government for meeting in a private home and veterans being prohibited from practising Native American faith rituals at a veterans' centre.
A group of cheerleaders was also banned from writing Bible verses on their cheer banners.
Shackelford said these attacks can be stopped if Americans stand up and fight it.
"Hostility to religion can be defeated in the legal system—but only if challenged by Americans like you," he said, according to Charisma News.
