Adventist Church Urges Federal Religious Liberty Commission to Preserve Church-State Separation

On July 13, 2026, the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists submitted formal comments to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Religious Liberty Commission. The church expressed appreciation for the commission’s commitment to protecting religious freedom, while raising significant concerns about portions of the commission’s draft report on the relationship between church and state.

The formal letter of statement from the church headquarters for North America commended the commission’s support for stronger workplace religious accommodation protections and its recognition of the importance of preserving the autonomy of religious organizations. It also cautioned that the draft report’s treatment of the Establishment Clause risks weakening one of America’s most important constitutional safeguards for religious liberty.

The statement says Adventists have advocated for meaningful separation of church and state for more than 170 years. According to the comments, this advocacy comes not from hostility toward religion but from a conviction that faith flourishes best when it is free from government control. The comments explain that religious neutrality by government has enabled people of all faiths to worship according to conscience without coercion or official favoritism.

The statement urges the commission to recognize that support for church-state separation has historically come from many religious communities, including Seventh-day Adventists, Baptists, Quakers and Jews, who saw the principle as the strongest protection against government interference in matters of faith. It also asks the commission to acknowledge that advocates of separation are often motivated by sincere religious conviction rather than opposition to religion, a call to speak truthfully about others’ motives (Ephesians 4:15).

Drawing on constitutional history and the Adventist experience, the statement points to the prosecution of Sabbath-keeping Adventists under 19th-century Sunday laws. It argues that preserving clear boundaries between church and state remains essential to protecting the religious liberty of all Americans.

The statement concludes by encouraging the commission to revise its final report so that it reaffirms both religion clauses of the First Amendment. It describes the Free Exercise Clause and the Establishment Clause together as a constitutional framework that protects religious belief while keeping government neutral in matters of faith, a balance the church says is vital to America’s longstanding tradition of religious freedom.

The church’s North Pacific Union Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Office also issued a statement affirming its commitment to these principles. The office said it believes religious freedom is best preserved when government vigorously protects the free exercise of religion while remaining neutral in matters of faith. It said it will continue to advocate for strong religious accommodation protections, defend the rights of religious organizations, and promote the constitutional separation of church and state.

The comment window to the commission is now closed. The office asked for continued prayers, awareness and future support.

Source: Read the original report