The Institute is committed to promoting freedom of religious belief and observance, the civic equality of all law-abiding religions, and separation of church and state in the United States.
The goal of the Institute is to help students, teachers and public leaders worldwide to go beyond “mere” toleration of our religious differences to sincere respect for each other’s beliefs and observances. Our position reflects George Washington’s aspiration, expressed to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, that both governments and individuals must give “to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.” We must show respect for each other’s religious beliefs, even those most different from our own – so long as those ideas are lawful and contribute to a peaceful society.
The George Washington Institute for Religious Freedom™ (Institute) is a non-profit [501(c)3] organization.
