American Center for Law and Justice

American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) was established in 1990, by "Dr. M.G. Pat Robertson, a Yale law school graduate, religious leader, entrepreneur, and concerned citizen, [who] decided to act to undo the damage done by almost a century of liberal thinking and activism. He founded the American Center for Law and Justice," its website states.

About
The Center states in its profile:


 * The ACLJ, in just a few years, has become this nation's pre-eminent public interest law firm and educational organization dedicated to defending and advancing religious liberty, the sanctity of human life, and the two-parent, marriage-bound family.


 * From the U.S. Supreme Court to local school boards, lawyers of the ACLJ have been defending the rights of believers, standing up for the unborn, the elderly and the infirm, and reasserting the primary rights of parents and the centrality of the family.


 * Already the ACLJ has proven a formidable opponent to those who would seek to undermine these fundamental institutions of the American civilization. Here are just a few examples of how the American Center for Law and Justice has helped people who have had their religious or civil liberties attacked.


 * When abortion supporters alleged that pro-life social protest was discrimination against women, the ACLJ went to the U.S. Supreme Court in Bray v. Alexandria Women's Health Clinic and guaranteed that persons opposed to abortion are free to express those views peacefully without the threat of censorship or recrimination through the misuse of federal anti-discrimination laws.


 * When a school would not rent its facilities to a local church because of the religious content of the church's message, we went to the U.S. Supreme Court in Lamb's Chapel v. Center Moriches School District, and won the important right for religious groups to have equal access to public facilities.


 * When students are told they cannot start Bible clubs in their schools, or when their Bible clubs don't receive equal treatment like other clubs, our legal teams spring into action to defend the student's rights.


 * These victories have been accomplished in spite of the intense opposition of groups like the American Civil Liberties Union(ACLU). They have openly named us as their adversary. So have People for the American Way, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Planned Parenthood and many other special-interest activist groups.


 * The ACLJ engages in litigation, provides legal services, renders advice and counsels clients, and supports attorneys who are involved in defending the religious and civil liberties of Americans.


 * The American Center has a national network of attorneys who are committed to the defense of Judeo-Christian values. We also cooperate with other organizations that are committed to a similar mission, and serve the public through educational efforts regarding First Amendment and religious freedom issues as well as pro-family and pro-life concerns.


 * As a nonprofit organization that does not charge for its legal services, the American Center for Law and Justice is dependent upon God and the resources He provides through the time, talent, and gifts of people who share our concerns over the erosion of our religious and civil liberties.

Personnel

 * Jay Allen Sekulow, Chief Counsel

Contact information

 * http://www.aclj.org/

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Alliance Defense Fund
 * Liberty Counsel

External articles

 * Debra England, "Top 10 charitable gift ideas for this holiday season," TownHall.com, December 16, 2006.