Interfaith Alliance Deplores North Carolina Pastor Banishing Democrats

Immediate Release
The Interfaith Alliance
May 6, 2005
Contact: Don Parker, 202.639.6370, ext. 111

Interfaith Alliance Deplores North Carolina Pastor Banishing Democrats

Gaddy: "The screaming need is for repentance among those who would tie religion to partisan politics.”

Washington, May 6 --- Today, in response to news media reports that a North Carolina church had “excommunicated” any members who did not vote for President George W. Bush, the Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, president of The Interfaith Alliance, issued the following statement:

“This sad spectacle is the predictable consequence of the Religious Right’s insistence on measuring a person’s religion by social-political litmus tests. Not only does the pastor’s reported action violate both the spirit and substance of the United States Constitution’s provisions of religious liberty, it also offends the conscience of people who understand religion in terms of the realm of the spirit, not votes in a presidential election.

“I understand the pastor called for repentance on the part of those who didn’t vote for the president. The screaming need is for repentance among those who would tie religion to partisan politics.”

For more on coverage by CNN and AOL, see:
http://mp.aol.com/video.index.adp?pmmsid=1338062&_AOLFORM=w708.h344.p7.R1

Dr. Gaddy is available for comment and interviews on this or other issues relating to the intersection of religion and politics. Contact: Don Parker, 202.639.6370 ext. 111.

The Interfaith Alliance (TIA) is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to promoting the positive and healing role of religion in the life of the nation and challenging those who manipulate religion to promote a narrow, divisive agenda. With more than 150,000 members drawn from more than 75 faith traditions, and 47 local alliances, TIA promotes compassion, civility and mutual respect for human dignity in our increasingly diverse society. www.interfaithalliance.org




For those wondering where the voices of the people of faith have been in opposition to the religious right, I give you the Interfaith Alliance who has seen this coming and has been fighting this battle for the last ten years. They are made up of leaders and members of all belief systems who are working hard to preserve our democracy.

A couple of weeks ago, I joined and donated to our local chapter. I was stunned to find that, like many other social justice organizations, our local chapter had some 700-800 people on their mailing list but only 40 paying members/supporters. It is a great organization for those people of faith who wish to counter the corruption of our beliefs. A wonderful group, already in place and working hard, worthy of your attention and support.

this is a good org.

Just check out the press releases:

http://www.interfaithalliance.org/site/apps/nl/newsletter2.asp?c=8dJIIWMCE&b=137971

give them money. Sort of upsets my belief that churches are all about the money. I guess they are all about the money and the politics. Reminds me of why I quit going to churches.