Alliance Defending Freedom is a not-for-profit Christian legal organization dedicated to taking on America’s most important and influential public policy issues. Since 1994, ADF has been successfully defending our religious freedom heritage and championing the cause of Christ before the courts, legislatures, and public opinion.

HISTORY

Alliance Defending Freedom was founded in 1994 by a group of visionary leaders in the legal profession who had seen the need for a Christian organization to advocate for religious freedom in the courts. Our founders had long admired Alliance Defense Fund, which catalyzed ADF.

ADF was incorporated in 1994 and continued the efforts to build a network of allied attorneys that could file amicus briefs and participate in oral arguments before appellate courts across the country. In 1995, ADF argued its first case before the U.S. Supreme Court—Employment Division v. Smith. In 1997, ADF filed its first brief at the Supreme Court in the Town of Greece v. Galloway.

In 1997, ADF launched its Center for Academic Freedom (CAF), which challenges campus speech codes used to stifle students and faculty on campus. A year later, in 1998, ADF launched the Center for Faith and Cultural Engagement (CFCE). CFCE works with faith-based organizations, churches, and ministries to defend religious liberty while retaining their integrity and independence as ministries.

Achievements

1. Alliance Defending Freedom today continues to defend the First Amendment right of religious liberty and the right to practice their faith.
2. Besides its amici, ADF works in partnership with other organizations, including The Alliance Defense Fund Amicus Briefs, The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, and The Freedom from Religion Foundation.
3. ADF has won several important court victories since its founding. This includes successfully challenging unconstitutional gun control ordinances in Arizona involving the seizure of guns from private citizens lawfully entitled to possess them.
4. Alliance Defending Freedom has successfully defended religious liberty in marriage cases that involved the First Amendment right to the free exercise of religion and the right to due process and equal protection.

The impact of Alliance Defending Freedom is vast both at the domestic and international levels. They continue to advocate for their beliefs and values, the same ones that founded this country. Each generation should strive to preserve these principles while keeping in mind the legacy left by our founding fathers. Go to this page for more information.

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