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| logo_alt = Logo of Alliance Defending Freedom | logo_alt = Logo of Alliance Defending Freedom
| motto = For Faith, For Justice | motto = For Faith, For Justice
| formation = {{start date and age|1993|03|25}}<ref name= corp>"". ''Business Entity Details''. State Corporation Commission. Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved September 9, 2016.</ref> | formation = {{start date and age|1993|03|25}}<ref name="corp">"". ''Business Entity Details''. State Corporation Commission. Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved September 9, 2016.</ref>
| type = ] | type = ]
| purpose = "To advocate for religious freedom to uphold justice and preserve the right of people to freely live out their faith." <ref name= 990-2013>"". Retrieved 26 December 2018. ''Alliance Defending Freedom''. ]. June 30, 2014.</ref> | purpose = "To advocate for religious freedom to uphold justice and preserve the right of people to freely live out their faith." <ref name="990-2013">"". Retrieved 26 December 2018. ''Alliance Defending Freedom''. ]. June 30, 2014.</ref>
| headquarters = ]<ref name= 990-2013/> | headquarters = ]<ref name= 990-2013/>
| leader_title = ] | leader_title = ]
| leader_name = Chapman Cox<ref name= 990-2013/> | leader_name = Chapman Cox<ref name= 990-2013/>
| leader_title2 = ], ] | leader_title2 = ], ]
| leader_name2 = ]<ref name= 990-2013/><ref>{{cite web|title=ADF Names New CEO|url=http://www.adflegal.org/adfceo|website=Alliance Defending Freedom|accessdate=11 January 2017}}</ref> | leader_name2 = ]<ref name= 990-2013/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.adflegal.org/adfceo |title=ADF Names New CEO |website=Alliance Defending Freedom |access-date=11 January 2017}}</ref>
| volunteers = 686<ref name= 990-2013/> | volunteers = 686<ref name= 990-2013/>
| name = Alliance Defending Freedom | name = Alliance Defending Freedom
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| employees_year = 2013 | employees_year = 2013
| volunteers_year = 2013 | volunteers_year = 2013
| revenue = $55,629,426"<ref name= 990-2017>""</ref> | revenue = $55,629,426"<ref name="990-2017">""</ref>
| revenue_year = 2017 | revenue_year = 2017
| expenses = $50,304,647<ref name= 990-2017/> | expenses = $50,304,647<ref name= 990-2017/>
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}} }}
{{Conservatism US}} {{Conservatism US}}
'''Alliance Defending Freedom''' ('''ADF''', formerly '''Alliance Defense Fund''') is an ] ] ] and ] designated LGBTQ hate group.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/alliance-defending-freedom|title=Alliance Defending Freedom|website=Southern Poverty Law Center|language=en|access-date=2019-06-02}}</ref> It has the stated goal of advocating, training, and funding on the issues of "religious freedom, sanctity of life, and marriage and family."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.adflegal.org/about-us |title=Who We Are |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=adflegal.org |publisher=ADF |access-date=27 January 2017}}</ref> ADF is headquartered in ]. It also has four branch offices located in ]; ]; ]; and ].<ref name="international">{{cite web|title=International Overview|url=https://www.adflegal.org/issues/international|publisher=Alliance Defending Freedom|accessdate=14 February 2018}}</ref> '''Alliance Defending Freedom''' ('''ADF''', formerly '''Alliance Defense Fund''') is an ] ] ] and ] designated LGBTQ hate group.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/alliance-defending-freedom |title=Alliance Defending Freedom |website=Southern Poverty Law Center |language=en |access-date=2019-06-02}}</ref> It has the stated goal of advocating, training, and funding on the issues of "religious freedom, sanctity of life, and marriage and family."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.adflegal.org/about-us |title=Who We Are |last=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=adflegal.org |publisher=ADF |access-date=27 January 2017}}</ref> ADF is headquartered in ]. It also has four branch offices located in ]; ]; ]; and ].<ref name="international">{{Cite web |url=https://www.adflegal.org/issues/international |title=International Overview |publisher=Alliance Defending Freedom |access-date=14 February 2018}}</ref>


Because of its budget, caseload, and network of allied attorneys, ADF is seen as the most organized and influential Christian legal interest group in the country.<ref>{{cite book |title=Defending Faith: The Politics of the Christian Conservative Legal Movement|last=Bennett|first=Daniel|year=2017|publisher=University Press of Kansas|isbn=978-0700624607}}</ref> ADF has argued nine cases before the Supreme Court and won all of them.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/inside-the-christian-legal-powerhouse-that-keeps-winning-at-the-supreme-court/2018/07/04/fffa6aa0-7adb-11e8-93cc-6d3beccdd7a3_story.html|title=Inside the Christian legal powerhouse that keeps winning at the Supreme Court|work=The Washington Post|access-date=2018-10-26}}</ref> Because of its budget, caseload, and network of allied attorneys, ADF is seen as the most organized and influential Christian legal interest group in the country.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bennett |first=Daniel |title=Defending Faith: The Politics of the Christian Conservative Legal Movement |publisher=University Press of Kansas |year=2017 |isbn=978-0700624607}}</ref> ADF has argued nine cases before the Supreme Court and won all of them.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/inside-the-christian-legal-powerhouse-that-keeps-winning-at-the-supreme-court/2018/07/04/fffa6aa0-7adb-11e8-93cc-6d3beccdd7a3_story.html |title=Inside the Christian legal powerhouse that keeps winning at the Supreme Court |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2018-10-26}}</ref>


==History== ==History==
] was a co-founder of Alliance Defense Fund, the predecessor of Alliance Defending Freedom.]] ] was a co-founder of Alliance Defense Fund, the predecessor of Alliance Defending Freedom.]]
In the early 1990s, people from various denominations{{which|date=March 2018}} began to notice what they saw as progressive values supplanting traditional Judeo-Christian values in American society and threats to religious liberty. They viewed the ] (ACLU) as a major contributing factor to the erosion of values.<ref name="eckholm">{{cite news|last1=Eric|first1=Eckhholm|title=Legal Alliance Gains Host of Court Victories for Conservative Christian Movement|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/12/us/legal-alliance-gains-host-of-court-victories-for-conservative-christian-movement.html|accessdate=21 January 2018|work=New York Times|date=11 May 2014}}</ref><ref>McFeely, Tom (January&nbsp;18, 2012). "" . '']''. ncregister.com. Retrieved 2017-10-14. Referring to Ron Rosenberger and his volunteer lawyer, Alan Sears explains that ADF "raised money, and&nbsp;... funded the petition for certiorari that asked the ] to hear their case" and that later it "funded the costs of the case and a number of amicus briefs."</ref> In response ADF was incorporated in 1993<ref name= corp/> by ] (founder, ]), ] (founder, ]), ] (founder, ]), ] (founder, ]), ] (president, International Christian Media), and William Pew.<ref name= founders>, With Gratitude, for the Giants Whose Shoulders ADF Stands On</ref> In the early 1990s, people from various denominations{{which|date=March 2018}} began to notice what they saw as progressive values supplanting traditional Judeo-Christian values in American society and threats to religious liberty. They viewed the ] (ACLU) as a major contributing factor to the erosion of values.<ref name="eckholm">{{Cite news |last=Eric |first=Eckhholm |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/12/us/legal-alliance-gains-host-of-court-victories-for-conservative-christian-movement.html |title=Legal Alliance Gains Host of Court Victories for Conservative Christian Movement |date=11 May 2014 |work=New York Times |access-date=21 January 2018}}</ref><ref>McFeely, Tom (January&nbsp;18, 2012). "" . '']''. ncregister.com. Retrieved 2017-10-14. Referring to Ron Rosenberger and his volunteer lawyer, Alan Sears explains that ADF "raised money, and&nbsp;... funded the petition for certiorari that asked the ] to hear their case" and that later it "funded the costs of the case and a number of amicus briefs."</ref> In response ADF was incorporated in 1993<ref name= corp/> by ] (founder, ]), ] (founder, ]), ] (founder, ]), ] (founder, ]), ] (president, International Christian Media), and William Pew.<ref name="founders">, With Gratitude, for the Giants Whose Shoulders ADF Stands On</ref>


ADF’s first president was ] who also served as CEO and Chief Counsel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adflegal.org/adfceo|title=ADF Names New CEO - Alliance Defending Freedom|website=www.adflegal.org|access-date=2017-01-11}}</ref> Sears was the staff executive director of the Attorney General's Commission on Pornography, popularly known as the ]. ADF’s first president was ] who also served as CEO and Chief Counsel.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.adflegal.org/adfceo |title=ADF Names New CEO - Alliance Defending Freedom |website=www.adflegal.org |access-date=2017-01-11}}</ref> Sears was the staff executive director of the Attorney General's Commission on Pornography, popularly known as the ].


In 2000 the ] was founded with 24 participants. The nine week intense summer internship program trains law students from a traditionalist perspective.<ref name="dexter"/> In 2000 the ] was founded with 24 participants. The nine week intense summer internship program trains law students from a traditionalist perspective.<ref name="dexter" />


The Christmas Project was launched in 2003. The annual initiative was organized in an effort to resist what the organization called the “censorship of Christmas.” In its press release ADF singled out the American Civil Liberties Union as the chief target of the campaign.<ref>{{cite web|title=Alliance Defense Fund Announces Plan to Fight Censorship of Christmas|url=https://adflegal.org/detailspages/press-release-details/alliance-defense-fund-announces-plan-to-fight-censorship-of-christmas|publisher=Alliance Defending Freedom|accessdate=14 February 2018|date=20 Oct 2003}}</ref> By 2004, the organization had contacted 3,600 school districts to inform them that they were not required by the Constitution to have holiday celebrations inclusive of all religions.<ref>{{cite news|title=ADF Launches 'Christmas Project' to Protect Right to Religious Expression|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/adf-launches-christmas-project-to-protect-right-to-religious-expression-20740/|accessdate=14 February 2018|work=The Christian Post|date=29 Nov 2004}}</ref> The Christmas Project was launched in 2003. The annual initiative was organized in an effort to resist what the organization called the “censorship of Christmas.” In its press release ADF singled out the American Civil Liberties Union as the chief target of the campaign.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://adflegal.org/detailspages/press-release-details/alliance-defense-fund-announces-plan-to-fight-censorship-of-christmas |title=Alliance Defense Fund Announces Plan to Fight Censorship of Christmas |date=20 Oct 2003 |publisher=Alliance Defending Freedom |access-date=14 February 2018}}</ref> By 2004, the organization had contacted 3,600 school districts to inform them that they were not required by the Constitution to have holiday celebrations inclusive of all religions.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/adf-launches-christmas-project-to-protect-right-to-religious-expression-20740/ |title=ADF Launches 'Christmas Project' to Protect Right to Religious Expression |date=29 Nov 2004 |work=The Christian Post |access-date=14 February 2018}}</ref>


In 2005 the first Day of Truth (now called "]") was held with over 1,100 students in 350 schools participating. The annual event was created as a response to what the ADF believed was a ]. In 2005 the first Day of Truth (now called "]") was held with over 1,100 students in 350 schools participating. The annual event was created as a response to what the ADF believed was a ].


In 2008, ADF created the Pulpit Freedom Sunday which has been called "perhaps most aggressive effort." The national event encourages pastors to include political endorsements in their sermons, in defiance of Internal Revenue Service regulations.<ref name="eckholm"/> In 2008, ADF created the Pulpit Freedom Sunday which has been called "perhaps most aggressive effort." The national event encourages pastors to include political endorsements in their sermons, in defiance of Internal Revenue Service regulations.<ref name="eckholm" />


On July 9, 2012, the Alliance Defense Fund changed its name to Alliance Defending Freedom. The name change was intended to reflect the organization's shift in focus from funding allied attorneys to litigating cases.<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=Alliance Defending Freedom|date=2012-07-09|title=Alliance Defense Fund now Alliance Defending Freedom|url=http://www.adfmedia.org/News/PRDetail/7504}}</ref> On July 9, 2012, the Alliance Defense Fund changed its name to Alliance Defending Freedom. The name change was intended to reflect the organization's shift in focus from funding allied attorneys to litigating cases.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Alliance Defense Fund now Alliance Defending Freedom |date=2012-07-09 |publisher=Alliance Defending Freedom |url=http://www.adfmedia.org/News/PRDetail/7504}}</ref>


By 2014, ADF had an annual budget of $40 million and more than 40 staff attorneys, and had "emerged as the largest legal force of the religious right, arguing hundreds of pro bono cases across the country."<ref name="eckholm" /><!--copied from https://en.wikipedia.org/search/?title=Alan_Sears&oldid=809845026 --> The surprise hit '']'' is released. The film's producer, Russell Rolfe stated that the inspiration for the film came from Alan Sears who shared a story about a First Amendment case where a college coed's faith is challenged.<ref name="hallowell">{{cite web|last1=Hallowell|first1=Billy|title=‘God’s Not Dead’ Producer Answers Critics Who Say Film Is Too Over the Top|url=https://www.theblaze.com/news/2014/03/25/gods-not-dead-producer-answers-critics-who-say-film-is-too-over-the-top|publisher=The Blaze|accessdate=14 February 2018|date=25 Mar 2014}}</ref> Over 1,800 ministers enroll in the annual Pulpit Freedom Sunday.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Anugrah|first1=Kumar|title=Over 1,800 Pastors Take Part in Pulpit Freedom Sunday|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/over-1800-pastors-take-part-in-pulpit-freedom-sunday-127914/|publisher=The Christian Post|accessdate=14 February 2018|date=11 Oct 2014}}</ref> By 2014, ADF had an annual budget of $40 million and more than 40 staff attorneys, and had "emerged as the largest legal force of the religious right, arguing hundreds of pro bono cases across the country."<ref name="eckholm" /><!--copied from https://en.wikipedia.org/search/?title=Alan_Sears&oldid=809845026 --> The surprise hit '']'' is released. The film's producer, Russell Rolfe stated that the inspiration for the film came from Alan Sears who shared a story about a First Amendment case where a college coed's faith is challenged.<ref name="hallowell">{{Cite web |url=https://www.theblaze.com/news/2014/03/25/gods-not-dead-producer-answers-critics-who-say-film-is-too-over-the-top |title=‘God’s Not Dead’ Producer Answers Critics Who Say Film Is Too Over the Top |last=Hallowell |first=Billy |date=25 Mar 2014 |publisher=The Blaze |access-date=14 February 2018}}</ref> Over 1,800 ministers enroll in the annual Pulpit Freedom Sunday.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/over-1800-pastors-take-part-in-pulpit-freedom-sunday-127914/ |title=Over 1,800 Pastors Take Part in Pulpit Freedom Sunday |last=Anugrah |first=Kumar |date=11 Oct 2014 |publisher=The Christian Post |access-date=14 February 2018}}</ref>


In 2014, ADF achieved a legal victory in a case challenging the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. In '']'', the Court ruled that the birth control mandate in employee funded health plans was unconstitutional.<ref name="sherry"/> In 2014, ADF achieved a legal victory in a case challenging the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. In '']'', the Court ruled that the birth control mandate in employee funded health plans was unconstitutional.<ref name="sherry" />


In 2016 ], the former prime minister of Australia and current Member of Parliament, gave an address to ADF regarding marriage. Abbott was an outspoken opponent of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Australia.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Doran|first1=Matthew|author2=Roscoe Whalan|title=Tony Abbott to address US conservative Christian lobby group on marriage views|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-26/tony-abbott-speak-at-us-conservative-christian-lobby/7114506|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|accessdate=14 February 2018|date=25 Jan 2016}}</ref> In 2016 ], the former prime minister of Australia and current Member of Parliament, gave an address to ADF regarding marriage. Abbott was an outspoken opponent of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Australia.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-26/tony-abbott-speak-at-us-conservative-christian-lobby/7114506 |title=Tony Abbott to address US conservative Christian lobby group on marriage views |last=Doran |first=Matthew |last2=Roscoe Whalan |date=25 Jan 2016 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=14 February 2018}}</ref>


In January 2017, ] became the new ] of ADF. Farris lobbied Congress for the passage of the ] of 1993, and is the founder of ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adflegal.org/adfceo|title=ADF Names New CEO - Alliance Defending Freedom|website=www.adflegal.org|accessdate=2017-01-11}}</ref> In January 2017, ] became the new ] of ADF. Farris lobbied Congress for the passage of the ] of 1993, and is the founder of ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.adflegal.org/adfceo |title=ADF Names New CEO - Alliance Defending Freedom |website=www.adflegal.org |access-date=2017-01-11}}</ref>


In 2016, the ] listed the organization as an anti-LGBTQ hate group. The group's designation on a list that includes the ], ], and ] groups "was a judgment call that went all the way up to top leadership at the SPLC."<ref name=postmag>{{cite news |last1=Montgomery |first1=David |title=The State of Hate |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/magazine/wp/2018/11/08/feature/is-the-southern-poverty-law-center-judging-hate-fairly/ |accessdate=27 December 2018 |publisher=The Washington Post Magazine |date=November 8, 2018}}</ref> The ADF has opposed its inclusion on the SPLC's list, with senior counsel Jeremy Tedesco describing it as "a stranglehold on conservative and religious groups that is just hovering over us and that can continue to constrict and limit our ability to simply voice our opinion."<ref name=postmag/> According to the SPLC, the ADF was included on the list due to the group's filing of an amicus brief in the 2003 U.S. Supreme Court case '']'', in which the ADF expressed support for upholding the state's right to decide whether "same-sex sodomy is a distinct public health problem."<ref name=nbc>{{cite news|last1=O'Hara|first1=Mary Emily|title=This Law Firm Is Linked to Anti-Transgender Bathroom Bills Across the Country|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/law-firm-linked-anti-transgender-bathroom-bills-across-country-n741106|accessdate=5 August 2017|publisher=NBC|date=April 8, 2017}}</ref> The SPLC has described the ADF as "virulently ]".<ref>See: In 2016, the ] listed the organization as an anti-LGBTQ hate group. The group's designation on a list that includes the ], ], and ] groups "was a judgment call that went all the way up to top leadership at the SPLC."<ref name="postmag">{{Cite news |last=Montgomery |first=David |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/magazine/wp/2018/11/08/feature/is-the-southern-poverty-law-center-judging-hate-fairly/ |title=The State of Hate |date=November 8, 2018 |access-date=27 December 2018 |publisher=The Washington Post Magazine}}</ref> The ADF has opposed its inclusion on the SPLC's list, with senior counsel Jeremy Tedesco describing it as "a stranglehold on conservative and religious groups that is just hovering over us and that can continue to constrict and limit our ability to simply voice our opinion."<ref name=postmag/> According to the SPLC, the ADF was included on the list due to the group's filing of an amicus brief in the 2003 U.S. Supreme Court case '']'', in which the ADF expressed support for upholding the state's right to decide whether "same-sex sodomy is a distinct public health problem."<ref name="nbc">{{Cite news |last=O'Hara |first=Mary Emily |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/law-firm-linked-anti-transgender-bathroom-bills-across-country-n741106 |title=This Law Firm Is Linked to Anti-Transgender Bathroom Bills Across the Country |date=April 8, 2017 |access-date=5 August 2017 |publisher=NBC}}</ref> The SPLC has described the ADF as "virulently ]".<ref>See:
* . * .
* Nelson, Leah (Spring 2013). "". ''Intelligence Report''. Southern Poverty Law Center. splcenter.org. Retrieved 2017-07-15.</ref> The SPLC describes the group's mission as "making life as difficult as possible for LGBT communities in the U.S. and internationally".<ref name=nbc/> ADF president ] called the SPLC's designation a "troubling smear" and "slander".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Farris |first1=Michael |title=Southern Poverty Law Center ‘Hate’ Labels Deserve a Vigorous Response |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/08/southern-poverty-law-center-hate-label-deserves-vigorous-response/ |accessdate=27 December 2018 |publisher=National Review |date=August 17, 2018}}</ref> It's international activities have included supporting anti-LGBT groups fighting the decriminalization of sodomy in Jamaica<ref name="Compton">{{cite news |last1=Compton |first1=Julie |title=Activists take aim at anti-LGBTQ ‘hate group,’ Alliance Defending Freedom |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/activists-takes-aim-anti-lgbtq-hate-group-alliance-defending-freedom-n936391 |accessdate=26 July 2019 |work=NBC News |date=14 Nov 2018 |language=en}}</ref> and support for a Belize law which would have made sodomy a criminal offense with a possible ten year jail term. As of 2019 it had tripled its spending in the European Union to £1.5 million.<ref name="Pegg">{{cite news |last1=Pegg |first1=David |title=US fundamentalists spent £38m on European politics |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/28/us-fundamentalists-spent-38m-on-european-politics |accessdate=26 July 2019 |work=The Guardian |date=28 March 2019}}</ref> * Nelson, Leah (Spring 2013). "". ''Intelligence Report''. Southern Poverty Law Center. splcenter.org. Retrieved 2017-07-15.</ref> The SPLC describes the group's mission as "making life as difficult as possible for LGBT communities in the U.S. and internationally".<ref name=nbc/> ADF president ] called the SPLC's designation a "troubling smear" and "slander".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Farris |first=Michael |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/08/southern-poverty-law-center-hate-label-deserves-vigorous-response/ |title=Southern Poverty Law Center ‘Hate’ Labels Deserve a Vigorous Response |date=August 17, 2018 |access-date=27 December 2018 |publisher=National Review}}</ref> It's international activities have included supporting anti-LGBT groups fighting the decriminalization of sodomy in Jamaica<ref name="Compton">{{Cite news |last=Compton |first=Julie |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/activists-takes-aim-anti-lgbtq-hate-group-alliance-defending-freedom-n936391 |title=Activists take aim at anti-LGBTQ ‘hate group,’ Alliance Defending Freedom |date=14 Nov 2018 |work=NBC News |access-date=26 July 2019 |language=en}}</ref> and support for a Belize law which would have made sodomy a criminal offense with a possible ten year jail term. As of 2019 it had tripled its spending in the European Union to £1.5 million.<ref name="Pegg">{{Cite news |last=Pegg |first=David |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/28/us-fundamentalists-spent-38m-on-european-politics |title=US fundamentalists spent £38m on European politics |date=28 March 2019 |work=The Guardian |access-date=26 July 2019}}</ref>


In July 2017, U.S. Attorney General ] attended ADF's Summit on Religious Liberty. Praising the group, Sessions said, "While your clients vary from pastors to nuns to geologists, all of us benefit from your good work." LGBTQ rights groups criticized Sessions for his participation at the event. ] wrote in ''BuzzFeed News'' that ADF's growing influence within the federal government can be attributed to Sessions' support.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thefederalist.com/2017/07/13/heres-the-speech-jeff-sessions-delivered-to-christian-first-amendment-lawyers/|title=Sessions: Faith Inspired MLK Jr. To March For Civil Rights|last=Freedom|first=Religious|date=2017-07-13|website=The Federalist|accessdate=2017-08-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/13/politics/jeff-sessions-alliance-defending-freedom-speech-released/index.html|title=Sessions reveals in closed-door speech new protections for religious liberty on the way|author=Laura Jarrett|website=CNN|access-date=2017-08-11}}</ref><ref name="holden">{{cite news|last1=Holden|first1=Dominic|title=How This Anti-Trump Evangelical Is Quietly Taking Advantage of The Trump Presidency|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/dominicholden/adf-mike-farris|accessdate=16 February 2018|work=BuzzFeed News|date=4 Dec 2017}}</ref> In July 2017, U.S. Attorney General ] attended ADF's Summit on Religious Liberty. Praising the group, Sessions said, "While your clients vary from pastors to nuns to geologists, all of us benefit from your good work." LGBTQ rights groups criticized Sessions for his participation at the event. ] wrote in ''BuzzFeed News'' that ADF's growing influence within the federal government can be attributed to Sessions' support.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://thefederalist.com/2017/07/13/heres-the-speech-jeff-sessions-delivered-to-christian-first-amendment-lawyers/ |title=Sessions: Faith Inspired MLK Jr. To March For Civil Rights |last=Freedom |first=Religious |date=2017-07-13 |website=The Federalist |access-date=2017-08-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/13/politics/jeff-sessions-alliance-defending-freedom-speech-released/index.html |title=Sessions reveals in closed-door speech new protections for religious liberty on the way |last=Laura Jarrett |website=CNN |access-date=2017-08-11}}</ref><ref name="holden">{{Cite news |last=Holden |first=Dominic |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/dominicholden/adf-mike-farris |title=How This Anti-Trump Evangelical Is Quietly Taking Advantage of The Trump Presidency |date=4 Dec 2017 |work=BuzzFeed News |access-date=16 February 2018}}</ref>


==Positions== ==Positions==
{{Pie chart {{Pie chart
| caption=Issue advocacy as a function of press releases<ref name="bennett">{{cite news|last1=Bennett|first1=Daniel|title=Masterpiece Cakeshop: Meet the Christian Legal Group Behind the High-Profile Court Case|url=http://religionandpolitics.org/2017/09/19/masterpiece-cakeshop-alliance-defending-freedom-christian-supreme-court/|accessdate=14 February 2018|work=Religion & Politics|date=19 Sep 2017}}</ref> | caption=Issue advocacy as a function of press releases<ref name="bennett">{{Cite news |last=Bennett |first=Daniel |url=http://religionandpolitics.org/2017/09/19/masterpiece-cakeshop-alliance-defending-freedom-christian-supreme-court/ |title=Masterpiece Cakeshop: Meet the Christian Legal Group Behind the High-Profile Court Case |date=19 Sep 2017 |work=Religion & Politics |access-date=14 February 2018}}</ref>
| label1 = Religious liberty | label1 = Religious liberty
| value1 = 45 | color1 = purple | value1 = 45 | color1 = purple
Line 75: Line 75:
| value4 = 12 | color4 = gray | value4 = 12 | color4 = gray
}} }}
ADF supports the inclusion of ]s at public meetings and the use of religious displays (such as ] and other religious monuments) on ]s and in public buildings.<ref name="Human Events">{{cite journal | last1 = Gizzi | first1 = John | year = 2009 | title = Alliance Defense Fund Promotes Religious Freedom | url = | journal = ] | volume = 65 | issue = 28| page = 21 }}</ref> ADF opposes ], and believes that ] workers have a right to decline participation in the performance of abortions and other practices an individual health worker finds morally objectionable. ADF opposes ] and ]s, as well as ] based on their belief that children are best raised by a married mother and father. ADF believes parents should be able to opt their children out of ] in schools that run counter to a family's religious beliefs.<ref name="Human Events" /> ADF supports the inclusion of ]s at public meetings and the use of religious displays (such as ] and other religious monuments) on ]s and in public buildings.<ref name="Human Events">{{Cite journal |last=Gizzi |first=John |year=2009 |title=Alliance Defense Fund Promotes Religious Freedom |journal=] |volume=65 |issue=28 |page=21}}</ref> ADF opposes ], and believes that ] workers have a right to decline participation in the performance of abortions and other practices an individual health worker finds morally objectionable. ADF opposes ] and ]s, as well as ] based on their belief that children are best raised by a married mother and father. ADF believes parents should be able to opt their children out of ] in schools that run counter to a family's religious beliefs.<ref name="Human Events" />


The international branch, ADF International, argued for European countries to be allowed to prohibit changing genders on government-issued identification documents unless the individual had gone "through a very specific medical setting, leading to genital surgery and sterilization."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2017/07/27/anti-lgbt-hate-group-alliance-defending-freedom-defended-state-enforced-sterilization |title=Anti-LGBT Hate Group Alliance Defending Freedom Defended State-Enforced Sterilization for Transgender Europeans |last=Amend |first=Alex |date=2017-07-27 |website=splcenter.org |publisher=SPLC |access-date=2017-11-26}}</ref> The international branch, ADF International, argued for European countries to be allowed to prohibit changing genders on government-issued identification documents unless the individual had gone "through a very specific medical setting, leading to genital surgery and sterilization."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2017/07/27/anti-lgbt-hate-group-alliance-defending-freedom-defended-state-enforced-sterilization |title=Anti-LGBT Hate Group Alliance Defending Freedom Defended State-Enforced Sterilization for Transgender Europeans |last=Amend |first=Alex |date=2017-07-27 |website=splcenter.org |publisher=SPLC |access-date=2017-11-26}}</ref>


== Finances == == Finances ==
ADF is a tax-exempt ] organization.<ref name= irseo>"". ''Exempt Organization Select Check''. Internal Revenue Service. Retrieved September 9, 2016.</ref> It had a budget of $9 million in 1999.<ref name="Good News Club">{{cite book|last1=Stewart|first1=Katherine|title=The Good News Club: The Christian Right's Stealth Assault on America's Children|date=2011|publisher=PublicAffairs|isbn=978-1586488437}}</ref>{{rp|84}} ADF reported a total revenue of $61.9 million for the year ending June 30, 2015, and net assets of $39.9 million.<ref>{{cite web|title=Alliancer Defending Freedom Comparative Assets|url=http://www.ecfa.org/ComparativeFinancialData.aspx?ID=8972&Type=Member|website=Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability|publisher=Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability|accessdate=28 September 2016}}</ref> ADF is a tax-exempt ] organization.<ref name="irseo">"". ''Exempt Organization Select Check''. Internal Revenue Service. Retrieved September 9, 2016.</ref> It had a budget of $9 million in 1999.<ref name="Good News Club">{{Cite book |last=Stewart |first=Katherine |title=The Good News Club: The Christian Right's Stealth Assault on America's Children |date=2011 |publisher=PublicAffairs |isbn=978-1586488437}}</ref>{{rp|84}} ADF reported a total revenue of $61.9 million for the year ending June 30, 2015, and net assets of $39.9 million.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ecfa.org/ComparativeFinancialData.aspx?ID=8972&Type=Member |title=Alliancer Defending Freedom Comparative Assets |website=Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability |publisher=Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability |access-date=28 September 2016}}</ref>


Donors include the Covenant Foundation, the ],<ref name="BolthouseFoundation">{{cite web|url=http://www.thebolthousefoundation.org |title=The Bolthouse Foundation |publisher=The Bolthouse Foundation |date=2013-04-08 |accessdate=2013-09-24}}</ref> the ],<ref name="WASHSPEC">Posner, Sarah. " {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070831010629/http://www.washingtonspectator.com/articles/20070401adf_2.cfm |date=August 31, 2007 }}" April 1, 2007, Washington Spectator Online</ref><ref name="Good News Club"/>{{rp|84, 255}} the ], and the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Affirmation of Faith|url=http://www.thebolthousefoundation.org/Statement.html|website=Bolthouse Foundation|accessdate=13 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Curtis|first1=Polly|last2=Quinn|first2=Ben|title=Abortion debate: Dorries campaign urged to reveal how it is funded|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/sep/02/abortion-debate-dorries-campaign|accessdate=13 August 2015|publisher=BBC|date=2 September 2011}}</ref> Donors include the Covenant Foundation, the ],<ref name="BolthouseFoundation">{{Cite web |url=http://www.thebolthousefoundation.org |title=The Bolthouse Foundation |date=2013-04-08 |publisher=The Bolthouse Foundation |access-date=2013-09-24}}</ref> the ],<ref name="WASHSPEC">Posner, Sarah. " {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070831010629/http://www.washingtonspectator.com/articles/20070401adf_2.cfm |date=August 31, 2007 }}" April 1, 2007, Washington Spectator Online</ref><ref name="Good News Club" />{{rp|84, 255}} the ], and the ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thebolthousefoundation.org/Statement.html |title=Affirmation of Faith |website=Bolthouse Foundation |access-date=13 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Curtis |first=Polly |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/sep/02/abortion-debate-dorries-campaign |title=Abortion debate: Dorries campaign urged to reveal how it is funded |date=2 September 2011 |access-date=13 August 2015 |publisher=BBC |last2=Quinn |first2=Ben}}</ref>


The ], one of largest charities in the ], donated nearly $1 million to ADF from 2007 to 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wweek.com/2016/04/11/a-vancouver-charity-is-funding-a-group-backing-north-carolinas-anti-transgender-bathroom-bill/ |title=A Vancouver Charity is Funding a Group Backing North Carolina's Anti-Transgender "Bathroom Bill" |work=Willamette Week |accessdate=11 April 2016 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413194622/http://www.wweek.com/2016/04/11/a-vancouver-charity-is-funding-a-group-backing-north-carolinas-anti-transgender-bathroom-bill/ |archivedate=13 April 2016 }}</ref> The ], one of largest charities in the ], donated nearly $1 million to ADF from 2007 to 2016.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.wweek.com/2016/04/11/a-vancouver-charity-is-funding-a-group-backing-north-carolinas-anti-transgender-bathroom-bill/ |title=A Vancouver Charity is Funding a Group Backing North Carolina's Anti-Transgender "Bathroom Bill" |work=Willamette Week |access-date=11 April 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413194622/http://www.wweek.com/2016/04/11/a-vancouver-charity-is-funding-a-group-backing-north-carolinas-anti-transgender-bathroom-bill/ |archive-date=13 April 2016}}</ref>


==Blackstone Legal Fellowship== ==Blackstone Legal Fellowship==
] ]


Blackstone Legal Fellowship is a highly competitive, nine week intensive summer legal training program. Notable faculty have included U. S. Court of Appeals Judge ]. It was founded in 2000 for the purpose of preparing Christian law students for professional legal careers. The first class comprised 24 interns.<ref name="dexter" /> Since its inception Blackstone has trained more than 1,900 Christian law students.<ref name="adf blackstone">{{cite web|title=Blackstone Legal Fellowship|url=https://www.adflegal.org/training/blackstone|publisher=Alliance Defending Freedom|accessdate=4 February 2018|date=2018}}</ref> In an interview, ADF co-founder ] said in 2000 Blackstone was created in response to his observation, "There’s got to be a better way for law students in America and for young lawyers than we currently have."<ref name="mcfeely"/> The program is made up of interns, called Fellows, from a diverse selection of law schools as well as elite institutions such as Harvard and Yale.<ref name="dexter">{{cite web|last1=Dexter|first1=Duggan|title=How tomorrow’s legal activists start the journey with a trip to Arizona|url=https://arizonadailyindependent.com/2014/02/16/how-tomorrows-legal-activists-start-the-journey-with-a-trip-to-arizona/|work=Arizona Daily Independent|accessdate=31 January 2018|date=16 Feb 2014}}</ref> The program is named for ], the famed eighteenth century English legal scholar and jurist who wrote about the ] which had a profound impact on the Founding Fathers of the United States.<ref name="mcfeely">McFeely, Tom (January&nbsp;18, 2012). "". '']''. Retrieved 4-Feb-2018.</ref> Blackstone Legal Fellowship is a highly competitive, nine week intensive summer legal training program. Notable faculty have included U. S. Court of Appeals Judge ]. It was founded in 2000 for the purpose of preparing Christian law students for professional legal careers. The first class comprised 24 interns.<ref name="dexter" /> Since its inception Blackstone has trained more than 1,900 Christian law students.<ref name="adf blackstone">{{Cite web |url=https://www.adflegal.org/training/blackstone |title=Blackstone Legal Fellowship |date=2018 |publisher=Alliance Defending Freedom |access-date=4 February 2018}}</ref> In an interview, ADF co-founder ] said in 2000 Blackstone was created in response to his observation, "There’s got to be a better way for law students in America and for young lawyers than we currently have."<ref name="mcfeely" /> The program is made up of interns, called Fellows, from a diverse selection of law schools as well as elite institutions such as Harvard and Yale.<ref name="dexter">{{Cite web |url=https://arizonadailyindependent.com/2014/02/16/how-tomorrows-legal-activists-start-the-journey-with-a-trip-to-arizona/ |title=How tomorrow’s legal activists start the journey with a trip to Arizona |last=Dexter |first=Duggan |date=16 Feb 2014 |website=Arizona Daily Independent |access-date=31 January 2018}}</ref> The program is named for ], the famed eighteenth century English legal scholar and jurist who wrote about the ] which had a profound impact on the Founding Fathers of the United States.<ref name="mcfeely">McFeely, Tom (January&nbsp;18, 2012). "". '']''. Retrieved 4-Feb-2018.</ref>
In 2012, Sears was asked about the major achievements of ADF. He said "among the things I am most thankful for are our Blackstone Legal Fellowship graduates."<ref name="mcfeely" /> In 2012, Sears was asked about the major achievements of ADF. He said "among the things I am most thankful for are our Blackstone Legal Fellowship graduates."<ref name="mcfeely" />


In 2017 President ]'s nominee to the ], ], was criticized by Senator ] for teaching constitutional law at Blackstone. In her Senate committee hearing he referred to ADF as a "hate group." Barrett responded that the hate group label is "controversial." Barrett was confirmed to the court by a 55-43 vote in the Senate.<ref name="McIntire">{{cite news|last1=McIntire|first1=Ken|title=Religious Freedom Advocates Rebuke Al Franken for ‘Hate Group’ Slur|url=http://dailysignal.com/2017/09/12/religious-freedom-advocate-rebukes-al-franken-for-hate-group-slur/|accessdate=5 February 2018|work=The Daily Signal|date=12 Sep 2017}}</ref> In 2017 President ]'s nominee to the ], ], was criticized by Senator ] for teaching constitutional law at Blackstone. In her Senate committee hearing he referred to ADF as a "hate group." Barrett responded that the hate group label is "controversial." Barrett was confirmed to the court by a 55-43 vote in the Senate.<ref name="McIntire">{{Cite news |last=McIntire |first=Ken |url=http://dailysignal.com/2017/09/12/religious-freedom-advocate-rebukes-al-franken-for-hate-group-slur/ |title=Religious Freedom Advocates Rebuke Al Franken for ‘Hate Group’ Slur |date=12 Sep 2017 |work=The Daily Signal |access-date=5 February 2018}}</ref>


==Day of Truth== ==Day of Truth==
Line 99: Line 99:
In 2005, the Alliance Defending Freedom established the ]<ref> Web site</ref> as a response to the ], which is organized by the ]. In 2005, the Alliance Defending Freedom established the ]<ref> Web site</ref> as a response to the ], which is organized by the ].


ADF claims that students who have spoken against LGBTQ rights have been censored under campus ] rules. ADF initiated the event in response to the suspension of Chase Harper, a high school student. Harper wore a ] that read "Be Ashamed" and "Our School Embraced What God Has Condemned," and on the back read, "Homosexuality is Shameful" and "]." ADF filed an unsuccessful federal lawsuit against school officials on behalf of Harper, claiming his religious freedoms were violated. The case was appealed to the Supreme Court.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?ID=20459 |title='Day of Truth' provides response to homosexual-themed day |newspaper=Baptist Press |publisher=Sbcbaptistpress.org |date=2005-03-29 |accessdate=2013-09-24 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927031224/http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?ID=20459 |archivedate=2013-09-27 }}</ref><ref>, Alliance Defense Fund</ref> According to ADF, over 1,100 students in 350 schools participated in the first Day of Truth.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080626034511/http://www.dayoftruth.org/resources/default.aspx?cid=3560 |date=2008-06-26 }}, Day of Truth website</ref> ADF claims that students who have spoken against LGBTQ rights have been censored under campus ] rules. ADF initiated the event in response to the suspension of Chase Harper, a high school student. Harper wore a ] that read "Be Ashamed" and "Our School Embraced What God Has Condemned," and on the back read, "Homosexuality is Shameful" and "]." ADF filed an unsuccessful federal lawsuit against school officials on behalf of Harper, claiming his religious freedoms were violated. The case was appealed to the Supreme Court.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?ID=20459 |title='Day of Truth' provides response to homosexual-themed day |date=2005-03-29 |publisher=Sbcbaptistpress.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927031224/http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?ID=20459 |archive-date=2013-09-27 |access-date=2013-09-24 |newspaper=Baptist Press}}</ref><ref>, Alliance Defense Fund</ref> According to ADF, over 1,100 students in 350 schools participated in the first Day of Truth.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080626034511/http://www.dayoftruth.org/resources/default.aspx?cid=3560 |date=2008-06-26 }}, Day of Truth website</ref>


ADF announced in 2009 that it had passed on its leadership role in the Day of Truth to an ] organization, ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dayoftruth.org/?page_id=224 |title=Hostile Questions |publisher=Day of Truth |date=2012-02-27 |accessdate=2013-09-24}}</ref><ref>{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Day of Truth website</ref> In 2010, Exodus International stated they would no longer support the Day of Truth event.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/10/06/christian-group-pulls-support-for-event-challenging-homosexuality/?hpt=T2 |title=: Day of Truth Support Pulled |publisher=Religion.blogs.cnn.com |date= |accessdate=2013-09-24}}</ref> ADF announced in 2009 that it had passed on its leadership role in the Day of Truth to an ] organization, ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://dayoftruth.org/?page_id=224 |title=Hostile Questions |date=2012-02-27 |publisher=Day of Truth |access-date=2013-09-24}}</ref><ref>{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Day of Truth website</ref> In 2010, Exodus International stated they would no longer support the Day of Truth event.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/10/06/christian-group-pulls-support-for-event-challenging-homosexuality/?hpt=T2 |title=: Day of Truth Support Pulled |publisher=Religion.blogs.cnn.com |access-date=2013-09-24}}</ref>


On November 11, 2010, evangelical Christian organization ] announced it had acquired the Day of Truth event and was renaming it the Day of Dialogue. On November 11, 2010, evangelical Christian organization ] announced it had acquired the Day of Truth event and was renaming it the Day of Dialogue.
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] ]


Pulpit Freedom Sunday is an initiative to challenge the ], which prohibits non-profit organizations, including churches, from endorsing political candidates. According to the ''New York Times'', ADF's campaign is "perhaps its most aggressive effort."<ref name="eckholm" /> In 2008, the year the program was launched, 35 churches participated. In an act of civil disobedience pastors include endorsements for political candidates in their sermons in defiance of Internal Revenue Service regulations and in hopes of triggering a court challenge based on First Amendment grounds. The inaugural 2008 event included Minnesota reverend Gus Booth who encouraged his congregation to vote for ] rather than ].<ref name="lampman">{{cite news|last1=Lampman|first1=Jane|title=Pulpit politics: Pastors to defy IRS|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2008/0926/p03s02-uspo.html|accessdate=4 February 2018|work=The Christian Science Monitor|date=26 Sep 2008}}</ref> By 2014 participation in the event had grown to over 1,800 pastors. The IRS indicated that it would increase enforcement of the Johnson Amendment.<ref name="kumar">{{cite news|last1=Kumar|first1=Anugrah|title=Over 1,800 Pastors Take Part in Pulpit Freedom Sunday|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/over-1800-pastors-take-part-in-pulpit-freedom-sunday-127914/|accessdate=4 February 2018|work=The Christian Post|date=11 Oct 2014}}</ref> Pulpit Freedom Sunday is an initiative to challenge the ], which prohibits non-profit organizations, including churches, from endorsing political candidates. According to the ''New York Times'', ADF's campaign is "perhaps its most aggressive effort."<ref name="eckholm" /> In 2008, the year the program was launched, 35 churches participated. In an act of civil disobedience pastors include endorsements for political candidates in their sermons in defiance of Internal Revenue Service regulations and in hopes of triggering a court challenge based on First Amendment grounds. The inaugural 2008 event included Minnesota reverend Gus Booth who encouraged his congregation to vote for ] rather than ].<ref name="lampman">{{Cite news |last=Lampman |first=Jane |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2008/0926/p03s02-uspo.html |title=Pulpit politics: Pastors to defy IRS |date=26 Sep 2008 |work=The Christian Science Monitor |access-date=4 February 2018}}</ref> By 2014 participation in the event had grown to over 1,800 pastors. The IRS indicated that it would increase enforcement of the Johnson Amendment.<ref name="kumar">{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=Anugrah |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/over-1800-pastors-take-part-in-pulpit-freedom-sunday-127914/ |title=Over 1,800 Pastors Take Part in Pulpit Freedom Sunday |date=11 Oct 2014 |work=The Christian Post |access-date=4 February 2018}}</ref>


==Notable cases== ==Notable cases==
{{main|List of court cases involving Alliance Defending Freedom}} {{main|List of court cases involving Alliance Defending Freedom}}
The ADF has been involved in several landmark ] cases, including '']'', '']'' and '']''. ''Good News Club'' and ''Town of Greece'' established precedents relating to Free Speech and the Establishment Clauses of the First Amendment respectively. Among its most notable legal battles was a 2014 case challenging the Affordable Care Act. In '']'', the Court ruled that the birth control mandate in employee-funded health plans when the company is "closely-held" was unconstitutional. The case set a precedent for evaluating legal questions relating to religious liberty.<ref name="sherry">{{cite web|last1=Allison|first1=Sherry|title=Who Is The Alliance Defending Freedom, The Legal Team Behind Masterpiece Cakeshop?|url=https://www.cpr.org/news/story/who-is-the-alliance-defending-freedom-masterpiece-cakeshops-legal-team|publisher=Colorado Public Radio|accessdate=January 28, 2018|date=December 5, 2017}}</ref> The ADF has been involved in several landmark ] cases, including '']'', '']'' and '']''. ''Good News Club'' and ''Town of Greece'' established precedents relating to Free Speech and the Establishment Clauses of the First Amendment respectively. Among its most notable legal battles was a 2014 case challenging the Affordable Care Act. In '']'', the Court ruled that the birth control mandate in employee-funded health plans when the company is "closely-held" was unconstitutional. The case set a precedent for evaluating legal questions relating to religious liberty.<ref name="sherry">{{Cite web |url=https://www.cpr.org/news/story/who-is-the-alliance-defending-freedom-masterpiece-cakeshops-legal-team |title=Who Is The Alliance Defending Freedom, The Legal Team Behind Masterpiece Cakeshop? |last=Allison |first=Sherry |date=December 5, 2017 |publisher=Colorado Public Radio |access-date=January 28, 2018}}</ref>


==People== ==People==
The following people are currently or have been affiliated with ADF: The following people are currently or have been affiliated with ADF:


* ], Judge of the ]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-judicial-nominees-republicans_us_5bd0c08ee4b0d38b587f50e6|title=Senate's Out? Nobody's Around? Perfect Time To Advance Trump's Court Picks, Says GOP.|last=Bendery|first=Jennifer|date=October 24, 2018|work=Huffington Post|access-date=October 26, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="2019-03-06-nbc">{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/trump-s-newly-confirmed-federal-judge-has-ties-anti-gay-n980281|title=Trump’s new federal judge has ties to anti-gay 'hate group'|website=NBC News|accessdate=March 7, 2019}}</ref> * ], Judge of the ]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bendery |first=Jennifer |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-judicial-nominees-republicans_us_5bd0c08ee4b0d38b587f50e6 |title=Senate's Out? Nobody's Around? Perfect Time To Advance Trump's Court Picks, Says GOP. |date=October 24, 2018 |work=Huffington Post |access-date=October 26, 2018 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="2019-03-06-nbc">{{Cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/trump-s-newly-confirmed-federal-judge-has-ties-anti-gay-n980281 |title=Trump’s new federal judge has ties to anti-gay 'hate group' |website=NBC News |access-date=March 7, 2019}}</ref>
* ], taught constitutional law at Blackstone. Currently judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit<ref name="McIntire"/> * ], taught constitutional law at Blackstone. Currently judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit<ref name="McIntire" />
* ], professor, member of Advisory Board of Blackstone<ref name="blackstone">{{cite web|title=Blackstone Legal Fellowship|url=http://www.blackstonelegalfellowship.org/|publisher=Alliance Defending Freedom|accessdate=2 February 2018}}</ref> * ], professor, member of Advisory Board of Blackstone<ref name="blackstone">{{Cite web |url=http://www.blackstonelegalfellowship.org/ |title=Blackstone Legal Fellowship |publisher=Alliance Defending Freedom |access-date=2 February 2018}}</ref>
* ], former General Counsel of the United States Department of Defense, current ADF chairman emeritus<ref name="leadership">{{cite web|title=Leadership|url=https://www.adflegal.org/about-us/leadership|publisher=Alliance Defending Freedom|accessdate=2 February 2018|date=2018}}</ref> * ], former General Counsel of the United States Department of Defense, current ADF chairman emeritus<ref name="leadership">{{Cite web |url=https://www.adflegal.org/about-us/leadership |title=Leadership |date=2018 |publisher=Alliance Defending Freedom |access-date=2 February 2018}}</ref>
* ], president of the ] and member of ADF Board<ref name="leadership" /> * ], president of the ] and member of ADF Board<ref name="leadership" />
* ], current president and CEO of ADF * ], current president and CEO of ADF
* ], journalist at ''National Review'', former Senior Counsel at ADF<ref name="ross">{{cite news|last1=Ross|first1=Janell|title=Who, exactly, is David French, the ‘Never Trump’ white knight candidate?|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/06/01/who-exactly-is-david-french-the-never-trump-white-knight-candidate/|accessdate=2 February 2018|publisher=The Washington Post|date=1 Jun 2016}}</ref> * ], journalist at ''National Review'', former Senior Counsel at ADF<ref name="ross">{{Cite news |last=Ross |first=Janell |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/06/01/who-exactly-is-david-french-the-never-trump-white-knight-candidate/ |title=Who, exactly, is David French, the ‘Never Trump’ white knight candidate? |date=1 Jun 2016 |access-date=2 February 2018 |publisher=The Washington Post}}</ref>
* ], legal scholar, member of Blackstone Advisory Board<ref name="blackstone" /> * ], legal scholar, member of Blackstone Advisory Board<ref name="blackstone" />
* ], former U. S. Ambassador to the Holy See, current member of Blackstone Advisory Board<ref name="blackstone" /> * ], former U. S. Ambassador to the Holy See, current member of Blackstone Advisory Board<ref name="blackstone" />
* ], Canadian pro-life activist, faculty member at Blackstone<ref name="blackstone" /> * ], Canadian pro-life activist, faculty member at Blackstone<ref name="blackstone" />
* ], former ADF attorney, currently member of U.S. House of Representatives (Louisiana)<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lane|first1=Emily|title=Religious freedom bill sponsor Rep. Mike Johnson: Superman for Louisiana's religious right?|url=http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/05/mike_johnson_religious_freedom_1.html|accessdate=2 February 2018|publisher=The Times-Picayune|date=15 May 2015}}</ref> * ], former ADF attorney, currently member of U.S. House of Representatives (Louisiana)<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lane |first=Emily |url=http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/05/mike_johnson_religious_freedom_1.html |title=Religious freedom bill sponsor Rep. Mike Johnson: Superman for Louisiana's religious right? |date=15 May 2015 |access-date=2 February 2018 |publisher=The Times-Picayune}}</ref>
* ], Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana<ref name="broach">{{cite news|last1=Broach|first1=Drew|title=Kyle Duncan, Michael Juneau backed in 11-10 votes to be federal judges in Louisiana|url=http://www.nola.com/national_politics/2018/01/kyle_duncan_michael_juneau_sen.html|accessdate=2 February 2018|publisher=The Times-Picayune|date=19 Jan 2018}}</ref> * ], Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana<ref name="broach">{{Cite news |last=Broach |first=Drew |url=http://www.nola.com/national_politics/2018/01/kyle_duncan_michael_juneau_sen.html |title=Kyle Duncan, Michael Juneau backed in 11-10 votes to be federal judges in Louisiana |date=19 Jan 2018 |access-date=2 February 2018 |publisher=The Times-Picayune}}</ref>
* ], attorney associated with the ]<ref name="knight">{{cite news|last1=Knight|first1=Robert|title=A Mountaintop Victory Over the ACLU|url=http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2016/10/a_mountaintop_victory_over_the_aclu.html|accessdate=8 February 2018|publisher=American Thinker|date=22 Oct 2016}}</ref> * ], attorney associated with the ]<ref name="knight">{{Cite news |last=Knight |first=Robert |url=http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2016/10/a_mountaintop_victory_over_the_aclu.html |title=A Mountaintop Victory Over the ACLU |date=22 Oct 2016 |access-date=8 February 2018 |publisher=American Thinker}}</ref>
* ], former Attorney General of the United States, currently member of Blackstone Advisory Board<ref name="blackstone" /> * ], former Attorney General of the United States, currently member of Blackstone Advisory Board<ref name="blackstone" />
* ], former judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, current ADF Board member<ref name="leadership" /> * ], former judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, current ADF Board member<ref name="leadership" />
* ], former legal scholar and member of Blackstone Advisory Board<ref name="blackstone" /> * ], former legal scholar and member of Blackstone Advisory Board<ref name="blackstone" />
* ], Christian minister and theologian, faculty member at Blackstone<ref name="blackstone" /> * ], Christian minister and theologian, faculty member at Blackstone<ref name="blackstone" />
* ], member of Louisiana legislature and ADF allied attorney<ref>{{cite web|title=Meet Alan|url=http://alanseabaugh.com/about-alana-seabaugh-louisianastate-representative/|publisher=Alan Seabrough State Representative|accessdate=2 February 2018}}</ref> * ], member of Louisiana legislature and ADF allied attorney<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://alanseabaugh.com/about-alana-seabaugh-louisianastate-representative/ |title=Meet Alan |publisher=Alan Seabrough State Representative |access-date=2 February 2018}}</ref>
* ], attorney, and founder and first president and CEO of ADF * ], attorney, and founder and first president and CEO of ADF
* ], former Minnesota legislator, currently lawyer at ADF<ref name="Bierschbach">{{cite web|last1=Bierschbach|first1=Briana|title=The campaign to become Minnesota's next attorney general is crowded, intense — and very much under the radar|url=https://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2018/01/campaign-become-minnesotas-next-attorney-general-crowded-intense-and-very-mu|publisher=MinnPost|accessdate=2 February 2018|date=10 Jan 2018}}</ref> * ], former Minnesota legislator, currently lawyer at ADF<ref name="Bierschbach">{{Cite web |url=https://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2018/01/campaign-become-minnesotas-next-attorney-general-crowded-intense-and-very-mu |title=The campaign to become Minnesota's next attorney general is crowded, intense — and very much under the radar |last=Bierschbach |first=Briana |date=10 Jan 2018 |publisher=MinnPost |access-date=2 February 2018}}</ref>
* ], N.H Lawyer associated with ADF, found guilty of Child Pornography charges<ref name="LisaCPChargers">{{Cite news |last=Schlatter |first=Evelyn |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lisa-biron-nh-lawyer-with-ties-to-conservative-christian-group-arrested-on-child-pornography-charges/ |title=Lisa Biron, N.H. lawyer with ties to conservative Christian group, arrested on child pornography charges |date=12 Jan 2013 |work=CBS News |access-date=2020-03-05 |language=en-US}}</ref> * ], N.H Lawyer associated with ADF, charged<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/awaiting_child_porn_hearing_in_state_court_nh_lawyer_is_arrested_by_fbi_age |title=Awaiting Child Porn Hearing in State Court, NH Lawyer Is Arrested by FBI Agents, Held Without Bail |work=A. B. A. Journal |access-date=2020-03-05 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Awaiting Child Porn Hearing in..." /> and found guilty of Child Pornography charges<ref name="LisaCPChargers">{{Cite news |last=Schlatter |first=Evelyn |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lisa-biron-nh-lawyer-with-ties-to-conservative-christian-group-arrested-on-child-pornography-charges/ |title=Lisa Biron, N.H. lawyer with ties to conservative Christian group, arrested on child pornography charges |date=12 Jan 2013 |work=CBS News |access-date=2020-03-05 |language=en-US}}</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
Line 157: Line 157:
==Further reading== ==Further reading==
{{wikinews|US pastors plan to defy law and endorse candidates}} {{wikinews|US pastors plan to defy law and endorse candidates}}
* {{cite book |title=Defending Faith: The Politics of the Christian Conservative Legal Movement|last=Bennett|first=Daniel|year=2017|publisher=University Press of Kansas|isbn=978-0700624607}} * {{Cite book |last=Bennett |first=Daniel |title=Defending Faith: The Politics of the Christian Conservative Legal Movement |publisher=University Press of Kansas |year=2017 |isbn=978-0700624607}}
* {{cite book |title=Natural Law For Lawyers|last=Budziszewski|first=J.|year=2006|publisher=ACW Press and The Blackstone Legal Fellowship|isbn=978-1932124798}} * {{Cite book |last=Budziszewski |first=J. |title=Natural Law For Lawyers |publisher=ACW Press and The Blackstone Legal Fellowship |year=2006 |isbn=978-1932124798}}
* {{cite book |title=The ACLU vs. America: Exposing the Agenda to Redefine Moral Values |last=Sears |first=Alan |authorlink= |author2=Craig Osten |year=2005 |publisher=B&H Books |location= |isbn=978-0-8054-4045-4 |page= |pages= |url=https://archive.org/details/acluvsamericaexp00sear |accessdate= |url-access=registration }} * {{Cite book |last=Sears |first=Alan |url=https://archive.org/details/acluvsamericaexp00sear |title=The ACLU vs. America: Exposing the Agenda to Redefine Moral Values |last2=Craig Osten |publisher=B&H Books |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-8054-4045-4 |url-access=registration}}
* {{cite book |title=The Homosexual Agenda: Exposing the Principal Threat to Religious Freedom Today |last=Sears |first=Alan |authorlink= |author2=Craig Osten |year=2003 |publisher=B&H Books |location= |isbn=978-0-8054-2698-4 |page= |pages= |url= |accessdate=}} * {{Cite book |last=Sears |first=Alan |title=The Homosexual Agenda: Exposing the Principal Threat to Religious Freedom Today |last2=Craig Osten |publisher=B&H Books |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-8054-2698-4}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Jones |first1=Emma |title=Fair Access Versus Religious Freedom: A Difficult Balance |journal=Oxford Journal of Law and Religion |date=June 2016 |volume=5 |issue=2 |pages=359–364 |doi=10.1093/ojlr/rww018 }} *{{Cite journal |last=Jones |first=Emma |date=June 2016 |title=Fair Access Versus Religious Freedom: A Difficult Balance |journal=Oxford Journal of Law and Religion |volume=5 |issue=2 |pages=359–364 |doi=10.1093/ojlr/rww018}}


==External links== ==External links==

Revision as of 14:10, 5 March 2020

Alliance Defending Freedom
Logo of Alliance Defending Freedom
AbbreviationADF
FormationMarch 25, 1993; 31 years ago (1993-03-25)
TypeNon-profit organization
Purpose"To advocate for religious freedom to uphold justice and preserve the right of people to freely live out their faith."
HeadquartersScottsdale, Arizona
ChairmanChapman Cox
President, CEOMichael Farris
Revenue$55,629,426" (2017)
Expenses$50,304,647 (2017)
Endowment$4,285,445 (2013)
Employees237 (2013)
Volunteers686 (2013)
Websitewww.adflegal.org
Formerly calledAlliance Defense Fund
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Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF, formerly Alliance Defense Fund) is an American conservative Christian nonprofit organization and Southern Poverty Law Center designated LGBTQ hate group. It has the stated goal of advocating, training, and funding on the issues of "religious freedom, sanctity of life, and marriage and family." ADF is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. It also has four branch offices located in Folsom, California; Washington, D.C.; Lawrenceville, Georgia; and New York.

Because of its budget, caseload, and network of allied attorneys, ADF is seen as the most organized and influential Christian legal interest group in the country. ADF has argued nine cases before the Supreme Court and won all of them.

History

James Dobson was a co-founder of Alliance Defense Fund, the predecessor of Alliance Defending Freedom.

In the early 1990s, people from various denominations began to notice what they saw as progressive values supplanting traditional Judeo-Christian values in American society and threats to religious liberty. They viewed the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) as a major contributing factor to the erosion of values. In response ADF was incorporated in 1993 by Bill Bright (founder, Campus Crusade for Christ), Larry Burkett (founder, Crown Financial Ministries), James Dobson (founder, Focus on the Family), D. James Kennedy (founder, Coral Ridge Ministries), Marlin Maddoux (president, International Christian Media), and William Pew.

ADF’s first president was Alan Sears who also served as CEO and Chief Counsel. Sears was the staff executive director of the Attorney General's Commission on Pornography, popularly known as the Meese Commission.

In 2000 the Blackstone Legal Fellowship was founded with 24 participants. The nine week intense summer internship program trains law students from a traditionalist perspective.

The Christmas Project was launched in 2003. The annual initiative was organized in an effort to resist what the organization called the “censorship of Christmas.” In its press release ADF singled out the American Civil Liberties Union as the chief target of the campaign. By 2004, the organization had contacted 3,600 school districts to inform them that they were not required by the Constitution to have holiday celebrations inclusive of all religions.

In 2005 the first Day of Truth (now called "Day of Dialogue") was held with over 1,100 students in 350 schools participating. The annual event was created as a response to what the ADF believed was a homosexual agenda.

In 2008, ADF created the Pulpit Freedom Sunday which has been called "perhaps most aggressive effort." The national event encourages pastors to include political endorsements in their sermons, in defiance of Internal Revenue Service regulations.

On July 9, 2012, the Alliance Defense Fund changed its name to Alliance Defending Freedom. The name change was intended to reflect the organization's shift in focus from funding allied attorneys to litigating cases.

By 2014, ADF had an annual budget of $40 million and more than 40 staff attorneys, and had "emerged as the largest legal force of the religious right, arguing hundreds of pro bono cases across the country." The surprise hit God's Not Dead is released. The film's producer, Russell Rolfe stated that the inspiration for the film came from Alan Sears who shared a story about a First Amendment case where a college coed's faith is challenged. Over 1,800 ministers enroll in the annual Pulpit Freedom Sunday.

In 2014, ADF achieved a legal victory in a case challenging the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. In Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., the Court ruled that the birth control mandate in employee funded health plans was unconstitutional.

In 2016 Tony Abbott, the former prime minister of Australia and current Member of Parliament, gave an address to ADF regarding marriage. Abbott was an outspoken opponent of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Australia.

In January 2017, Michael Farris became the new CEO of ADF. Farris lobbied Congress for the passage of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, and is the founder of Patrick Henry College.

In 2016, the Southern Poverty Law Center listed the organization as an anti-LGBTQ hate group. The group's designation on a list that includes the Westboro Baptist Church, Ku Klux Klan, and neo-nazi groups "was a judgment call that went all the way up to top leadership at the SPLC." The ADF has opposed its inclusion on the SPLC's list, with senior counsel Jeremy Tedesco describing it as "a stranglehold on conservative and religious groups that is just hovering over us and that can continue to constrict and limit our ability to simply voice our opinion." According to the SPLC, the ADF was included on the list due to the group's filing of an amicus brief in the 2003 U.S. Supreme Court case Lawrence v. Texas, in which the ADF expressed support for upholding the state's right to decide whether "same-sex sodomy is a distinct public health problem." The SPLC has described the ADF as "virulently anti-gay". The SPLC describes the group's mission as "making life as difficult as possible for LGBT communities in the U.S. and internationally". ADF president Michael Farris called the SPLC's designation a "troubling smear" and "slander". It's international activities have included supporting anti-LGBT groups fighting the decriminalization of sodomy in Jamaica and support for a Belize law which would have made sodomy a criminal offense with a possible ten year jail term. As of 2019 it had tripled its spending in the European Union to £1.5 million.

In July 2017, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions attended ADF's Summit on Religious Liberty. Praising the group, Sessions said, "While your clients vary from pastors to nuns to geologists, all of us benefit from your good work." LGBTQ rights groups criticized Sessions for his participation at the event. Dominic Holden wrote in BuzzFeed News that ADF's growing influence within the federal government can be attributed to Sessions' support.

Positions

Issue advocacy as a function of press releases

  Religious liberty (45%)  Opposition to abortion (22%)  Opposition to same-sex marriage (21%)  Not specified (12%)

ADF supports the inclusion of invocations at public meetings and the use of religious displays (such as crosses and other religious monuments) on public lands and in public buildings. ADF opposes abortion, and believes that healthcare workers have a right to decline participation in the performance of abortions and other practices an individual health worker finds morally objectionable. ADF opposes same-sex marriage and civil unions, as well as adoption by same-sex couples based on their belief that children are best raised by a married mother and father. ADF believes parents should be able to opt their children out of sex education in schools that run counter to a family's religious beliefs.

The international branch, ADF International, argued for European countries to be allowed to prohibit changing genders on government-issued identification documents unless the individual had gone "through a very specific medical setting, leading to genital surgery and sterilization."

Finances

ADF is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. It had a budget of $9 million in 1999. ADF reported a total revenue of $61.9 million for the year ending June 30, 2015, and net assets of $39.9 million.

Donors include the Covenant Foundation, the Bolthouse Foundation, the Edgar and Elsa Prince Foundation, the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation, and the Bradley Foundation.

The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, one of largest charities in the Pacific Northwest, donated nearly $1 million to ADF from 2007 to 2016.

Blackstone Legal Fellowship

Sir William Blackstone in 1774

Blackstone Legal Fellowship is a highly competitive, nine week intensive summer legal training program. Notable faculty have included U. S. Court of Appeals Judge Amy Coney Barrett. It was founded in 2000 for the purpose of preparing Christian law students for professional legal careers. The first class comprised 24 interns. Since its inception Blackstone has trained more than 1,900 Christian law students. In an interview, ADF co-founder Alan Sears said in 2000 Blackstone was created in response to his observation, "There’s got to be a better way for law students in America and for young lawyers than we currently have." The program is made up of interns, called Fellows, from a diverse selection of law schools as well as elite institutions such as Harvard and Yale. The program is named for Sir William Blackstone, the famed eighteenth century English legal scholar and jurist who wrote about the supremacy of God's law which had a profound impact on the Founding Fathers of the United States.

In 2012, Sears was asked about the major achievements of ADF. He said "among the things I am most thankful for are our Blackstone Legal Fellowship graduates."

In 2017 President Donald Trump's nominee to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, Amy Coney Barrett, was criticized by Senator Al Franken for teaching constitutional law at Blackstone. In her Senate committee hearing he referred to ADF as a "hate group." Barrett responded that the hate group label is "controversial." Barrett was confirmed to the court by a 55-43 vote in the Senate.

Day of Truth

Main article: Day of Dialogue

In 2005, the Alliance Defending Freedom established the Day of Truth as a response to the Day of Silence, which is organized by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network.

ADF claims that students who have spoken against LGBTQ rights have been censored under campus hate-speech rules. ADF initiated the event in response to the suspension of Chase Harper, a high school student. Harper wore a T-shirt that read "Be Ashamed" and "Our School Embraced What God Has Condemned," and on the back read, "Homosexuality is Shameful" and "Romans 1:27." ADF filed an unsuccessful federal lawsuit against school officials on behalf of Harper, claiming his religious freedoms were violated. The case was appealed to the Supreme Court. According to ADF, over 1,100 students in 350 schools participated in the first Day of Truth.

ADF announced in 2009 that it had passed on its leadership role in the Day of Truth to an ex-gay organization, Exodus International. In 2010, Exodus International stated they would no longer support the Day of Truth event.

On November 11, 2010, evangelical Christian organization Focus on the Family announced it had acquired the Day of Truth event and was renaming it the Day of Dialogue.

Pulpit Freedom Sunday

Pulpit Freedom Sunday in 2011

Pulpit Freedom Sunday is an initiative to challenge the Johnson Amendment, which prohibits non-profit organizations, including churches, from endorsing political candidates. According to the New York Times, ADF's campaign is "perhaps its most aggressive effort." In 2008, the year the program was launched, 35 churches participated. In an act of civil disobedience pastors include endorsements for political candidates in their sermons in defiance of Internal Revenue Service regulations and in hopes of triggering a court challenge based on First Amendment grounds. The inaugural 2008 event included Minnesota reverend Gus Booth who encouraged his congregation to vote for John McCain rather than Barack Obama. By 2014 participation in the event had grown to over 1,800 pastors. The IRS indicated that it would increase enforcement of the Johnson Amendment.

Notable cases

Main article: List of court cases involving Alliance Defending Freedom

The ADF has been involved in several landmark United States Supreme Court cases, including Rosenberger v. University of Virginia, Good News Club v. Milford Central School and Town of Greece v. Galloway. Good News Club and Town of Greece established precedents relating to Free Speech and the Establishment Clauses of the First Amendment respectively. Among its most notable legal battles was a 2014 case challenging the Affordable Care Act. In Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., the Court ruled that the birth control mandate in employee-funded health plans when the company is "closely-held" was unconstitutional. The case set a precedent for evaluating legal questions relating to religious liberty.

People

The following people are currently or have been affiliated with ADF:

See also

Legal groups

Related legislation

References

  1. ^ "Alliance Defending Freedom". Business Entity Details. State Corporation Commission. Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
  2. ^ "Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax". Retrieved 26 December 2018. Alliance Defending Freedom. Guidestar. June 30, 2014.
  3. "ADF Names New CEO". Alliance Defending Freedom. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  4. ^ "Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax"
  5. "Alliance Defending Freedom". Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved 2019-06-02.
  6. "Who We Are". adflegal.org. ADF. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  7. "International Overview". Alliance Defending Freedom. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  8. Bennett, Daniel (2017). Defending Faith: The Politics of the Christian Conservative Legal Movement. University Press of Kansas. ISBN 978-0700624607.
  9. "Inside the Christian legal powerhouse that keeps winning at the Supreme Court". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2018-10-26.
  10. ^ Eric, Eckhholm (11 May 2014). "Legal Alliance Gains Host of Court Victories for Conservative Christian Movement". New York Times. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  11. McFeely, Tom (January 18, 2012). "Alliance Defense Fund's Chief Convert" . National Catholic Register. ncregister.com. Retrieved 2017-10-14. Referring to Ron Rosenberger and his volunteer lawyer, Alan Sears explains that ADF "raised money, and ... funded the petition for certiorari that asked the United States Supreme Court to hear their case" and that later it "funded the costs of the case and a number of amicus briefs."
  12. , With Gratitude, for the Giants Whose Shoulders ADF Stands On
  13. "ADF Names New CEO - Alliance Defending Freedom". www.adflegal.org. Retrieved 2017-01-11.
  14. ^ Dexter, Duggan (16 Feb 2014). "How tomorrow's legal activists start the journey with a trip to Arizona". Arizona Daily Independent. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  15. "Alliance Defense Fund Announces Plan to Fight Censorship of Christmas". Alliance Defending Freedom. 20 Oct 2003. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  16. "ADF Launches 'Christmas Project' to Protect Right to Religious Expression". The Christian Post. 29 Nov 2004. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  17. "Alliance Defense Fund now Alliance Defending Freedom" (Press release). Alliance Defending Freedom. 2012-07-09.
  18. Hallowell, Billy (25 Mar 2014). "'God's Not Dead' Producer Answers Critics Who Say Film Is Too Over the Top". The Blaze. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  19. Anugrah, Kumar (11 Oct 2014). "Over 1,800 Pastors Take Part in Pulpit Freedom Sunday". The Christian Post. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  20. ^ Allison, Sherry (December 5, 2017). "Who Is The Alliance Defending Freedom, The Legal Team Behind Masterpiece Cakeshop?". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  21. Doran, Matthew; Roscoe Whalan (25 Jan 2016). "Tony Abbott to address US conservative Christian lobby group on marriage views". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  22. "ADF Names New CEO - Alliance Defending Freedom". www.adflegal.org. Retrieved 2017-01-11.
  23. ^ Montgomery, David (November 8, 2018). "The State of Hate". The Washington Post Magazine. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  24. ^ O'Hara, Mary Emily (April 8, 2017). "This Law Firm Is Linked to Anti-Transgender Bathroom Bills Across the Country". NBC. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  25. See:
  26. Farris, Michael (August 17, 2018). "Southern Poverty Law Center 'Hate' Labels Deserve a Vigorous Response". National Review. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  27. Compton, Julie (14 Nov 2018). "Activists take aim at anti-LGBTQ 'hate group,' Alliance Defending Freedom". NBC News. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  28. Pegg, David (28 March 2019). "US fundamentalists spent £38m on European politics". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  29. Freedom, Religious (2017-07-13). "Sessions: Faith Inspired MLK Jr. To March For Civil Rights". The Federalist. Retrieved 2017-08-11.
  30. Laura Jarrett. "Sessions reveals in closed-door speech new protections for religious liberty on the way". CNN. Retrieved 2017-08-11.
  31. Holden, Dominic (4 Dec 2017). "How This Anti-Trump Evangelical Is Quietly Taking Advantage of The Trump Presidency". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  32. Bennett, Daniel (19 Sep 2017). "Masterpiece Cakeshop: Meet the Christian Legal Group Behind the High-Profile Court Case". Religion & Politics. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  33. ^ Gizzi, John (2009). "Alliance Defense Fund Promotes Religious Freedom". Human Events. 65 (28): 21.
  34. Amend, Alex (2017-07-27). "Anti-LGBT Hate Group Alliance Defending Freedom Defended State-Enforced Sterilization for Transgender Europeans". splcenter.org. SPLC. Retrieved 2017-11-26.
  35. "Alliance Defending Freedom". Exempt Organization Select Check. Internal Revenue Service. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
  36. ^ Stewart, Katherine (2011). The Good News Club: The Christian Right's Stealth Assault on America's Children. PublicAffairs. ISBN 978-1586488437.
  37. "Alliancer Defending Freedom Comparative Assets". Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  38. "The Bolthouse Foundation". The Bolthouse Foundation. 2013-04-08. Retrieved 2013-09-24.
  39. Posner, Sarah. "The Legal Muscle Leading the Fight to End the Separation of Church and State Archived August 31, 2007, at the Wayback Machine" April 1, 2007, Washington Spectator Online
  40. "Affirmation of Faith". Bolthouse Foundation. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  41. Curtis, Polly; Quinn, Ben (2 September 2011). "Abortion debate: Dorries campaign urged to reveal how it is funded". BBC. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  42. "A Vancouver Charity is Funding a Group Backing North Carolina's Anti-Transgender "Bathroom Bill"". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on 13 April 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  43. "Blackstone Legal Fellowship". Alliance Defending Freedom. 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  44. ^ McFeely, Tom (January 18, 2012). "Alliance Defense Fund's Chief Convert". National Catholic Register. Retrieved 4-Feb-2018.
  45. ^ McIntire, Ken (12 Sep 2017). "Religious Freedom Advocates Rebuke Al Franken for 'Hate Group' Slur". The Daily Signal. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  46. Day of Truth Participant Manual Web site
  47. "'Day of Truth' provides response to homosexual-themed day". Baptist Press. Sbcbaptistpress.org. 2005-03-29. Archived from the original on 2013-09-27. Retrieved 2013-09-24.
  48. ADF attorneys seek justice for high school student silenced on Day of Truth, Alliance Defense Fund
  49. Day of Truth participation statistics Archived 2008-06-26 at the Wayback Machine, Day of Truth website
  50. "Hostile Questions". Day of Truth. 2012-02-27. Retrieved 2013-09-24.
  51. Homosexuality FAQ Sheet, Day of Truth website
  52. ": Day of Truth Support Pulled". Religion.blogs.cnn.com. Retrieved 2013-09-24.
  53. Lampman, Jane (26 Sep 2008). "Pulpit politics: Pastors to defy IRS". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  54. Kumar, Anugrah (11 Oct 2014). "Over 1,800 Pastors Take Part in Pulpit Freedom Sunday". The Christian Post. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  55. Bendery, Jennifer (October 24, 2018). "Senate's Out? Nobody's Around? Perfect Time To Advance Trump's Court Picks, Says GOP". Huffington Post. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  56. "Trump's new federal judge has ties to anti-gay 'hate group'". NBC News. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  57. ^ "Blackstone Legal Fellowship". Alliance Defending Freedom. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  58. ^ "Leadership". Alliance Defending Freedom. 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  59. Ross, Janell (1 Jun 2016). "Who, exactly, is David French, the 'Never Trump' white knight candidate?". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  60. Lane, Emily (15 May 2015). "Religious freedom bill sponsor Rep. Mike Johnson: Superman for Louisiana's religious right?". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  61. Broach, Drew (19 Jan 2018). "Kyle Duncan, Michael Juneau backed in 11-10 votes to be federal judges in Louisiana". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  62. Knight, Robert (22 Oct 2016). "A Mountaintop Victory Over the ACLU". American Thinker. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  63. "Meet Alan". Alan Seabrough State Representative. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  64. Bierschbach, Briana (10 Jan 2018). "The campaign to become Minnesota's next attorney general is crowded, intense — and very much under the radar". MinnPost. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  65. "Awaiting Child Porn Hearing in State Court, NH Lawyer Is Arrested by FBI Agents, Held Without Bail". A. B. A. Journal. Retrieved 2020-03-05.
  66. Cite error: The named reference Awaiting Child Porn Hearing in... was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  67. Schlatter, Evelyn (12 Jan 2013). "Lisa Biron, N.H. lawyer with ties to conservative Christian group, arrested on child pornography charges". CBS News. Retrieved 2020-03-05.

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