America’s 250th Belongs to All of Us: People Across Faiths and Beliefs Will Shape Its Future

‍Interfaith Alliance calls for a shared recommitment to equality, freedom and dignity—and a democracy shaped by and for people across faiths and beliefs‍

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ahead of the Fourth of July and America's 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Interfaith Alliance today calls on Americans across faiths and beliefs to reject the Trump administration’s effort to narrow the nation’s founding story around one political leader and one religious worldview.

Interfaith Alliance is urging a shared recommitment to equality, freedom and dignity for all – an inclusive vision reflected in its new America video that is part of the Choose Love, Not ICE campaign and the new “Religious Liberty for All” report.

Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, president and CEO of Interfaith Alliance, shared the following statement ahead of America’s 250th anniversary:

“America’s 250th anniversary celebrates the promise of progress: that equality, freedom and dignity belong to all of us. Born from revolution, our nation nevertheless excluded millions from that promise. And too many of us are still left out and left behind. Yet our history has shown that America can move forward towards that promise of freedom and liberty for all. 

Generations of Americans of diverse faiths and beliefs have played a key role in bending America's moral arc towards justice.  

When America failed to live up to the values enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, faith communities organized for change. From the Underground Railroad to the advancement of women’s suffrage, the organizing force of the civil rights movement, the rights of workers, the welcome of immigrants, and the dignity of LGBTQ communities, diverse and faithful people have pushed and inspired America to become better.

In America's 250th year, it is our turn to take up that sacred responsibility of moving our nation forward.  We do this because of the sacred mandates of our traditions, our love for our neighbors and our belief that progress is patriotic. 

Standing up for immigrant communities is patriotic. Defending the separation of church and state is patriotic. Rejecting Christian nationalism is patriotic. Insisting that America is strongest when people of every religious and spiritual background - including secular and atheist - are able to freely express and practice their beliefs is profoundly patriotic.

This Fourth of July, let us tell a larger American story than the Trump administration and its Christian nationalist cheerleaders would have us believe. Let’s tell the truth: that our diversity is a strength, religious freedom belongs to everyone, and democracy is a responsibility we share. Even as authoritarian forces seek to divide us by weaponizing religion and demonizing our neighbors, millions of people are choosing courage over fear.

Across every tradition and community, we can protect one another, defend our freedoms and achieve democracy together. That is the America future generations deserve – and the promise our generation must keep.”

This week, Interfaith Alliance and Protect Democracy United launched a new national ad in the Choose Love, Not ICE campaign that will run alongside America 250 and Freedom 250 programming through the holiday weekend. The ad connects today’s faith-based resistance to ICE abuses with a long tradition of religious communities answering injustice with moral courage. Interfaith Alliance also publicly countered the “Rededicate 250/America Prays” rally, offering an inclusive vision of America rooted in religious freedom for all.

Interfaith Alliance recently joined the Center for American Progress, Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the American Humanist Association to publish “Religious Liberty for All: Celebrating This Founding Freedom at America 250,” featuring 20 elected officials and faith leaders who affirm that freedom of belief and nonbelief belongs to everyone.

MEDIA CONTACT: Ella Rubinstein; 847-772-4692; [email protected]