Advocacy
Hill briefing: "Christian Nationalism is on the ballot in 2022"
Ahead of the midterm elections, leading experts gathered on September 28, 2022, for the first congressional briefing focused exclusively on Christian nationalism. Interfaith Alliance president Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush facilitated a conversation examining what’s at stake for people of all faiths and none as this anti-democratic ideology gains political and cultural force. Rev. Raushenbush described Christian nationalism as "the single greatest threat to the religious liberty of all Americans to exercise freedom of conscience in matters of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
Hosted in partnership with Congressman Jamie Raskin’s office, speakers included Wajahat Ali, author of Fear, Inc. and Go Back to Where You Came From and Other Helpful Recommendations on Becoming American; voting rights advocate Tayhlor Coleman; Connie Ryan, executive director of Interfaith Alliance of Iowa; and Rev. Dr. Richard Cizik, president of Evangelicals for Democracy.
This briefing took place on Wednesday, September 29, 2022, in 2237 Rayburn House Office Building and can also be found on our Facebook page.
Transcript
Department of Education Gets Patriotism Wrong
Interfaith Alliance, together with major religious organizations committed to religious freedom and education, has submitted a formal comment to the U.S. Department of Education opposing the proposed priority and definitions on promoting patriotic education.
Moral Courage in Action: Faith Communities Confront Executive Overreach
This June, the Trump administration deployed the National Guard to California following widespread protests against a series of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across the city; protesters stood in solidarity with immigrant communities and voiced opposition to mass deportation. Executive overreach under the guise of making communities “safer” threatens the freedom and safety of protesters and distorts democratic norms. In August, the administration further displayed overreach by deploying National Guard troops and quelling protests in Washington, D.C. In September, the administration announced that Portland, Oregon, would be the next city to have troops mobilized in its community. In response, faith communities, along with their partners, have not relented and are pushing back in defense of immigrant rights and the integrity of our democracy.
Interfaith Solidarity with LDS Communities
These past few weeks have been some of the hardest for our partners in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). On September 27th, LDS Church President Russell M. Nelson passed away at the age of 101. President Nelson served as the Church’s 17th president and was a leader in promoting deep partnerships during a trying time in the Church’s history, including with other faith communities. We extend our deepest condolences to members of the LDS Church and wish them comfort as they mourn the passing of such an important leader.