Friday, January 16, 2026, marks Religious Freedom Day, a nationally recognized, nonpartisan observance honoring the First Amendment’s protection of religious liberty. Many churches will also recognize it on Sunday, January 11, often called Religious Freedom Sunday, with a brief reminder that public-school students do not lose their constitutional rights at school.
Yet across the country, families are still told — incorrectly — that faith must be left at the schoolhouse door.
What the Law Actually Protects
To clear up the confusion, Citizens Defending Freedom has partnered with Gateways to Better Education to provide free, nonpartisan, constitutionally grounded resources anyone can share.
The Religious Freedom Day Guide is available here:
https://gogateways.org/religious-freedom-day
According to U.S. Department of Education guidance, students may legally:
- Pray, read religious materials, and talk about faith at school
- Include faith in assignments and art projects
- Wear religious clothing and join religious clubs
Educators may also pray at school and teach about religion where academically relevant.
Why January 16 Matters
Religious Freedom Day commemorates the Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom, drafted in 1786 by Thomas Jefferson. This landmark law helped shape the First Amendment and secured religious liberty for Americans of all beliefs.
A Simple Way to Help
The campaign offers:
- A one-minute announcement script
- A single slide with a QR code to trusted legal resources
- A clean, ready-to-use bulletin or handout
Sharing this information takes about a minute — but can prevent years of misunderstanding.
Why Eye on Jacksonville Is Sharing This
Religious liberty is not a political issue. It’s a constitutional one. Religious Freedom Day provides a timely, respectful way to remind students, parents, and educators of rights that already exist — and shouldn’t be forgotten.
For additional information or resources, contact Florida Faith Director Robert Goodman at [email protected].
