FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2022
CONTACT
Manisha Sunil, West End Strategy Team
msunil@westendstrategy.com; Phone: 202-417-0171
Rabbi Jack Moline: Sen. Booker, Rep. Hoyer Must Clarify Positions on Religious Freedom
WASHINGTON—Interfaith advocates are calling out Senator Booker (D-NJ) and Majority Leader Hoyer’s (D-MD) recent comments lambasting the constitutional tenet of church-state separation. Rabbi Jack Moline, president of Interfaith Alliance, released the following statement:
“Senator Booker and Rep. Hoyer’s statements during the Chabad breakfast on Wednesday were reminiscent of rhetoric we’re used to hearing from the Religious Right. As a rabbi, I understand how central faith is to the lives of millions of Americans, including lawmakers. As a staunch defender of religious freedom, I implore our lawmakers to remember that when they took their oath of public office, they made a promise to defend all Americans – not just those who worship their same God.
“Both Senator Booker and Rep. Hoyer have long been champions for communities too often pushed to the margins in America, which made their comments even more hurtful to the millions of Americans who are not called by God as they are and as I am. To say, point blank, ‘A lot of people think this country’s about separating church or religion from government. I say no,’ is a complete betrayal of our Constitution. Equally troubling are Rep. Hoyer’s comments that unalienable rights ‘are not gifts of the state, not gifts of the Constitution, not gifts of a majority of our people, but the gift of God.’ Our founders, however imperfect, built this nation on the notion that we would be governed by and for the people, not by a higher power.
“If these two leaders are as much of allies to the Jewish community as they professed this week, they would know that communities like mine are best served and protected when the pillars of religious freedom are defended. I call on them to clarify their statements and reaffirm their commitment to working for Americans of all faiths and none.”
If you are interested in speaking further with Interfaith Alliance, please contact Manisha Sunil at (202) 417-0171 or msunil@westendstrategy.com.
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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, Interfaith Alliance brings together members from 75 faith traditions as well as those without a faith tradition to protect faith and freedom. For more information visit www.interfaithalliance.org.