The News
| Interfaith Alliance Statement on The Shooting at Fort Hood |
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| Friday, 06 November 2009 | |
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For Immediate Release Read more
Washington, DC – Interfaith Alliance President, Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, issued the following statement today following the tragic shooting at Fort Hood.
# # # The Interfaith Alliance celebrates
religious freedom by championing individual rights, promoting policies that
protect both religion and democracy, and uniting diverse voices to challenge
extremism. Founded in 1994, the Interfaith Alliance has 185,000 members across the country
from 75 faith traditions as well as those without a faith tradition. For more
information visit www.interfaithalliance.org. |
| Interfaith Alliance Statement on the Passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act |
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| Thursday, 22 October 2009 | |
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For Immediate Release
With dramatic unanimity the sacred scriptures of diverse religious traditions vehemently condemn hate. Hate is neither a religious nor an American value. These are among the reasons why Interfaith Alliance today celebrates the passage of substantive hate crimes prevention legislation. Not only will this new law provide much-needed help for law enforcement officials and offer long-sought-for protection to vulnerable groups threatened by hate-motivated violence, it will offer a modicum of comfort to all who have lost loved ones because of hate crimes. Passage of this hate crime legislation represents a civil act consistent with the moral foundations of our nation and all of the religious traditions which are at home within it. Fidelity to the prophetic core of our religions and our American values means that we cannot condemn hate, only to follow it with passivity in the face of behavior that destroys the lives of any group of our fellow citizens. For over a decade, Interfaith Alliance has fought tirelessly to secure the crucial protections provided in this legislation. We urge President Obama to sign the act into law without delay. To be sure, no law alone can remove hatred from our midst. But in an
# # # The Interfaith Alliance celebrates
religious freedom by championing individual rights, promoting policies that
protect both religion and democracy, and uniting diverse voices to challenge
extremism. Founded in 1994, the Interfaith Alliance has 185,000 members across the country
from 75 faith traditions as well as those without a faith tradition. For more
information visit www.interfaithalliance.org. |
| Clergy and Faith Leaders Call for Civility |
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| Wednesday, 21 October 2009 | |
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For Immediate Release Washington, DC – A group of prominent faith leaders brought together by Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, President of Interfaith Alliance, has released an open letter to other religious leaders, politicians, and pundits calling for civility in public debate and to specifically refrain from using inappropriate references to the Holocaust and Nazis. A copy of the letter along with its signers follows. An open letter to religious leaders, politicians, pundits and the public: # # # The Interfaith Alliance celebrates
religious freedom by championing individual rights, promoting policies that
protect both religion and democracy, and uniting diverse voices to challenge
extremism. Founded in 1994, the Interfaith Alliance has 185,000 members across the country
from 75 faith traditions as well as those without a faith tradition. For more
information visit www.interfaithalliance.org. |
| Rev. Gaddy's Letters to Senators Hatch and Enzi on their Amendments to the Healthcare Reform Bill |
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| Wednesday, 23 September 2009 | |
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For Immediate Release September 23, 2009 The Honorable Orrin Hatch 104 Hart Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator Hatch, I write to you as president of Interfaith Alliance, a national organization that celebrates religious freedom by championing individual rights, promoting policies that protect both religion and democracy and uniting diverse voices to challenge extremism and build common ground. I was troubled to hear that you have submitted amendment #C10 to the America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009 which would restore funding to the Title V Abstinence Education Program. As a Baptist minister, I understand the central role that faith plays in the lives of many Americans, including politicians. At the same time, I value our historic tradition of not allowing personal religious beliefs to drive the policies introduced in Congress. This boundary between institutions of religion and institutions of government is one of the foundations of our Constitution. Sometimes, religious or extreme voices can move policies and legislation in one direction, even when research has proven that another direction is more effective. Earlier this year, President Obama proposed a budget that removed funding for abstinence-only education because studies have shown that the program is ineffective. As reported by The Washington Post on April 14, 2007, a congressionally authorized study that began in 1997 and followed children from elementary and middle school into high school concluded that this type of education did not stop children from engaging in sexual intercourse any more than those who did not receive this education. Sarah Brown, executive director of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, commented at the time, “There’s not a lot of good news here for people who pin their hopes on abstinence-only education.” Senator Hatch, now that we have had this information for more than two years, why would you introduce an amendment to restore this funding? In fact, it has been reported that you would like to spend $50 million a year on these programs. Especially during these difficult economic times, isn’t it more responsible to focus spending on comprehensive sexual education programs – which lead with abstinence as the only 100% effective way of avoiding both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections – that keep our children healthy and safe in practice, rather than in theory? Reintroducing a program that has been proven to be ineffective is not only a waste of taxpayer dollars, it is dangerous to the health of our children. Please reconsider amendment #C10. Sincerely, Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy President, Interfaith Alliance September 23, 2009 The Honorable Michael Enzi 379A Senate Russell Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator Enzi, I write to you as the president of Interfaith Alliance, a national organization that celebrates religious freedom by championing individual rights, promoting policies that protect both religion and democracy and uniting diverse voices to challenge extremism and build common ground. I was troubled to hear that you have submitted amendment #C15 to the America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009, which would ensure that conscience protections are applied in the healthcare reform bill. When President Obama first took office he prevented a conscience protection clause from implementation. He understood that this type of clause placed religious beliefs ahead of the medical needs of patients, and could inhibit their access to medical care and information related to HIV, end-of-life, contraception and other health issues. This legislation does not move us forward as we try to improve health care in the United States. Senator Enzi, why would you introduce an amendment that makes it more difficult for patients to receive treatment for and information about their health? Medical professionals and health care workers should serve their patients, not their own religious beliefs. For a governmental leader to confuse which is the top priority between those two is a great disservice to Americans of all faiths, who deserve the best, most comprehensive and accurate healthcare. I recognize that your religious beliefs may have impacted your desire to introduce this amendment. As a Baptist minister, I understand the central role that faith may play in your life. But I urge you to remember that policies established by Congress are not to implement personal religious beliefs but to advance the public welfare, which includes the kind of health services that citizens receive. Please reconsider amendment #C15. Sincerely, Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy President, Interfaith Alliance # # # The Interfaith Alliance celebrates
religious freedom by championing individual rights, promoting policies that
protect both religion and democracy, and uniting diverse voices to challenge
extremism. Founded in 1994, the Interfaith Alliance has 185,000 members across the country
from 75 faith traditions as well as those without a faith tradition. For more
information visit www.interfaithalliance.org. |
More Articles...
- Rev. Gaddy's Letter to Gov. Brewer on Her Decision to Rescind Domestic Partners' State Employee Benefits
- Interfaith Alliance and Others Call on Attorney General to Review and Withdraw Memo That Threatens Crucial Religious Freedom Protections
- Interfaith Alliance President Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy Responds to Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal’s Attack on Interfaith Alliance
- Rev. Gaddy's Letter to Gov. Jindal on the use of taxpayer funds to travel to church services
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