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Our Mission

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty is a non-profit, public-interest legal and educational institute that protects the free expression of all faiths. The Becket Fund exists to vindicate a simple but frequently neglected principle: that because the religious impulse is natural to human beings, religious expression is natural to human culture. We advance that principle in three arenas—the courts of law, the court of public opinion, and the academy—both in the United States and abroad.

At the Becket Fund we like to say we’ve defended the religious rights of people from “A to Z,” from Anglicans to Zoroastrians. Our supporters represent a myriad of religions, but they all share our common vision of a world where religious freedom is respected as a fundamental human right that all are entitled to enjoy and exercise.

In defending these ideas, in theory and in practice,
we find ourselves at the crossroads of church and state.

Becket Fund in the News

Praise for the Becket Fund

In the News:

Becket Fund wins “most important religious liberty cases in a half century” – Wall Street Journal

“The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty is a powerhouse law firm…” – Associated Press

“The impressive Becket Fund” – Washington Post

“The Becket Fund for religious Liberty has become one of the premier public-interest law firms working to defend religious freedom from encroachments by government.” - Insider Online

Prominent Leaders:

“I express a particular word of appreciation to the Becket Fund for its many efforts on behalf of religious freedom”  – Pope John Paul II

“We thank the Becket Fund for its tireless efforts in defense of religious liberty.  Becket understands, as we do, that if we fail to diligently protect religious freedom—a vitally important freedom in its own right—other important rights may also be imperiled.”– Elder Lance B.  Wickman, General Counsel, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“People of all faiths are better off because of Becket Fund’s defense of religious liberty.  We owe them a great deal.” – Nathan Lewin, Honorary President,  American Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists 

“…no persons will be more deserving of celebration than the truly great lawyers of the Becket Fund and its courageous President, the silver-tongued Seamus Hasson.” – Mary Ann Glendon, Harvard Professor, and former US Ambassador 

“The Becket Fund’s work is more than ‘good’.  It’s vital.” - Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia

“At no other time has the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty been more indispensable in defending basic freedoms.  We are facing an unprecedented assault on religion that must be continually countered not only in the public square but, just as importantly, in the courts.” –Fr. Jonathan Morris, Author, Fox News Religion and Ethics Analyst, and Program Director of “The Catholic Channel” radio on SiriusXM 129  

Our clients:

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    “Your organization has picked up the torch and carried it with expertise and integrity all the way to the steps of the United States Supreme Court...We thank you and we pray that God will continue to bless your work.” 

    – Deano C. Ware, local counsel in Hosanna-Tabor v. EEOC

    http://www.becketfund.org/hosannatabor/
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    “Wheaton chose to work with The Becket Fund in part because of its clearly-established track record as a non-partisan, non-sectarian law firm that has successfully defended the religious liberty of Jews, Muslims, Christians, Hindus, and clients from other faith communities.”

    — President Philip Ryken, Wheaton College


    http://www.becketfund.org/wheaton/
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    “[The Becket Fund] saved us thousands of dollars that we’ve been able to use for our real purpose, which is feeding people, providing shelter and programs of recovery for homeless people,” 

    – Bill Roscoe, Executive Director, Boise Rescue Mission


    http://www.becketfund.org/the-boise-rescue-mission-idaho-2009-current/
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    “It is wonderful to see the courts in this country protect religious freedom…but we couldn’t have done it without the Becket Fund.” 

    – Albanian Associated Fund


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    “Thank you for all your assistance in resolving the problem with the Cobb County Detention Center. It was unfortunate that this situation had to go this far, but the end result has been positive in assisting the spiritual needs of the men and women of the Cobb County Detention Center. Thank you for all of your help. It is greatly appreciated. You and your staff are in my prayers.” 

    – Rev. John Welch Saint Thomas the Apostle Church Smyrna, Georgia



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    “I wanted to take a moment to both wish you well and to thank you for your efforts on behalf of religious liberty all these years. ” 

    — Howie Beigelman, Deputy Director of Public Policy, Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America


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    “Just a brief note for myself and on behalf of Haven Shores Community Church, expressing our sincere appreciation for a difficult job, well done. We thank you for your initial confidence in the cause advanced by Haven Shores Community Church, and your commitment to the battle thereafter.”

    – John M. Karafa, McNeil Grafton LLP – Grand Haven, MI

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    “We at Third Church of Christ, Scientist are deeply grateful for the support received from the Becket Fund… in our efforts to redevelop our property at 16th and I Streets, NW.” 

    --Third Church of Christ, Scientist Congregation



    (photo credit: Wiki Commons - rodeomilano)




    http://www.becketfund.org/thirdchurch/
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    “I am writing to express our synagogue’s profound appreciation for the critically important work of The Becket Fund. It was a delight and an honor to work with you. We are grateful that you agreed to take us on as a client – we fearlessly predicted we would add to the mettle of the Becket Fund!”

    — Kol Shofar Congregation

    (photo credit: Michael Loeb Photography)

 

Additional Information:

Our Cases

Top-Ten Becket Fund Victories

Our Staff