Washington, DC – Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, President of The Interfaith Alliance issued the following statement following the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales:
No administration in our history has trampled the First Amendment more than the Bush Administration, and since the beginning Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has been a key player in those policies. On behalf of a nation torn apart by the politicization of religion The Interfaith Alliance would welcome a nominee who would work to preserve and protect religious freedom in America. Unfortunately he or she will join an administration with a track record showing they only believe in one of the First Amendment’s two religious freedom clauses: Free Exercise but not the Establishment Clause.
Programs like Attorney General Gonzales’ “First Freedom Project” are great examples of how the administration’s rhetoric does not always match its actions. Despite this project’s stated objective of protecting religious liberty, the administration has continued to erode our freedoms with projects like this and the faith-based initiative.
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.