You probably already know by now that there is a very real war against religious liberty taking place. Every day it seems I read another headline about a Christian losing a job, being denied employment, being sued, or being threatened by the government for their religious convictions. Finally people are waking up to the fact that many of the “politically correct” views lawmakers and activists are seeking to enact are diametrically opposed the religious convictions of millions of Americans.

What is needed now is for people to stand up and boldly refuse to sit in silence while their religious liberty and freedoms are taken away.

You might be willing, but wondering “what can I do to help?”

The good news is that taking a stand for religious liberty is easier than you might think. But if we all take part and do a little it will make an enormous impact. So, to that end I’ve copied a list of simple things anyone can do to defend religious liberty. (This list originally appeared here.)

Educate Yourself

1. Read “Our first, most cherished freedom” from the USCCB to understand all the ways religious liberty is threatened and how it can be defended. (There are other resources available at the USCCB site too, including fact sheets and documentation of unjust discrimination against Catholics and other Christians in the U.S. and internationally.)

2. Keep up with the status of religious liberty in our courts. The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty and Alliance Defending Freedom are two law firms handling many of the religious liberty lawsuits wending their way through the American court system. Both organizations have worthwhile resources for understanding how religious liberty is threatened and what you can do about it.

3. Basic Civics has been as neglected as basic Catechesis in recent decades.  Educate yourself on the meaning of our founding documents through Hillsdale College’s free online lecture series, “Constitution 101” and “Constitution 201”

4. Invite an expert to address your parish or civic group on the full meaning of religious liberty and how to defend it.

Pray & Fast

5. Encourage your pastor to preach about religious liberty. Pastors get busy, he will probably be grateful for the reminder.

6. Sponsor an interfaith prayer service for the flourishing of religious liberty.

7.  Undertake a simple fast for the intention of the restoration of respect for human dignity in all its fullness.

Take a Stand

8. Spread the word: “like” the Facebook page and share links and messages from groups such as Women Speak for Themselves and Call To Prayer, which promote religious liberty and suggest simple, effective ways to be involved. Talk to your friends about what you learn and use social media to inform others.

9. If you’re a woman, read and sign the open letter to the President on religious liberty from Women Speak for Themselves.

10. Write your Congressmen and write letters to the editor to insist the erosion of the free exercise of religion must stop.

Use It Or Lose It!

11. Wear a cross as a public manifestation that you are a Christian.

12. Don’t be ashamed to make the sign of the cross and say grace before meals in restaurants and other public spaces. It’s just being who you are.

13. Volunteer at a religious-based charity. We don’t serve others because THEY are [Christians]. We serve them because WE are [Christians].

Now that you’ve read the list there is no reason not to get involved. What will you do?