Attorney General Alan Wilson defends religious freedom of church-affiliated preschools and daycares

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today he has joined a friend-of-the-court brief with a coalition of 11 attorneys general defending free speech and the religious freedom of families.

The states’ brief explains that California is requiring churches that hold preschool or daycare services to provide clergy of other faiths so children and parents can opt out of Christian services. The brief argues that the California law violates the First Amendment.

“Parents who choose a preschool or daycare affiliated with a church do so for a specific religious reason,” Attorney General Wilson said. “A state cannot compel speech that is contrary to a church’s stated religious mission.”

“This is clearly in opposition to the First Amendment,” Attorney General Wilson stated. “Church-affiliated daycares and preschools shouldn’t have to violate their faith in order to obtain a license to operate.”

South Carolina joined the West Virginia-led brief along with Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

Read the full brief here.