In its work defending individual rights, the ACLU often undertakes controversial cases that lead its detractors to make unfounded accusations against the ACLU. Here are some of the false allegations - and the truth about the ACLU's position. Myth: The ACLU is anti-Christian. Fact: The ACLU believes in the right of each and every American to practice his or her own religion, or no religion at all; that's one of the most fundamental of the freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. The ACLU has defended the rights of many individuals to express their religious beliefs freely. Click here for a list of some recent ACLU cases defending religious expression.
Myth: The ACLU hates Christmas and tries to force stores and their staffs to stop using the words "Merry Christmas."
Fact: Private stores have right to use any language they want for advertising or greeting customers. The ACLU has never filed lawsuit to stop the use of "Merry Christmas." Myth: The ACLU wants to have crosses removed from headstones at public military cemeteries. Fact: Gravestones are personal, chosen by families, not government. The ACLU fully supports the right of individuals to express their religious beliefs, including the choice of a gravestone. Myth: The ACLU objects to federal employes bowing their head in prayer on federal property on federal time. Fact: The ACLU has no knowledge about the photograph of Marines in prayer that has been circulated on the Internet along with the false allegation, nor has it ever had a spokesperson quoted on the site named Lucius Traveler. The Web site allegation is an exaggeration of the ACLU's stance on the separation of government and religion; it does not represent a position the ACLU has taken. Myth: The ACLU supports pedophilia and the North American Man/Boy Love Association (NAMBLA) . Fact: In its suit, ACLU only defended NAMBLA's free-speech rights - just as it defends the free-speech rights of everyone, no matter how much it may disagree with the content of the speech. The ACLU does not advocate sexual relationships between adults and children. It does not support the beliefs of NAMBLA.
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