The United States was founded as a secular country. Separation of church and state—or, more broadly, religion and government—is foundational to American society. Yet from the very beginning, America has struggled to live up to its own standards.

Especially since the 1970s and rise of the so-called Moral Majority and the Religious Right, the wall of separation has been under constant attack. The goal of secular activism is to stop the erosion of that wall and to secure the separation of church and state. It is an enormous and never ending task, and we must be diligent about securing our freedoms for ourselves and future generations.

The Secular Student Alliance would like to help you equip yourself and your members to understand the issues where you live and express your values to your elected officials. This guide is designed to help you do just that.