Interfaith Alliance Celebrates Free, Fair and Safe Elections, Triumph for Democracy

Reverend Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, president and CEO of Interfaith Alliance, released the following statement on the midterm elections: 

“Yesterday’s free, fair and safe election represents a critical victory for multi-faith democracy in our country. It is a triumph for all those who organized tirelessly and fearlessly to prevent voter suppression, reject intimidation, and uplift the sacred right to vote. 

The election results are a sweeping rejection of authoritarianism, bigotry and fear. Repudiating Christian nationalism, these results also show definitively that the far-right does not have any monopoly on religion in this country, and never has. Diverse religious communities and faith leaders mobilized intensively to get out the vote and participate in the democratic process - after years of rallying to defend their neighbors and communities from ICE raids, discrimination and injustice. Numerous candidates who explicitly ran campaigns rooted in their progressive religious values of compassion and social justice – including members of the clergy – won notable victories. 

“Through our “The Vote is Sacred” bus tour over the past month, Interfaith Alliance rallied with faith leaders and communities in 17 states nationwide, helping to train them to protect our democratic process, and making absolutely clear that so many people of diverse faiths and beliefs stand on the side of inclusion and tolerance. What we saw and heard filled us with energy and optimism for the future of our country, and of American religion. Invigorated and validated by this election, our mobilization efforts will continue to expand.

From the coasts to the heartland, from the mountains to the prairies, from the deep South to the shores of Maine, we are building a movement together to make clear that our country belongs not to any kings or to the purveyors of any one narrow religious worldview, but to all of us. We the people will decide our future, and make it one where all Americans are free to be true to their own faiths, traditions and identities.”