One Nation, Many Faiths

The Interfaith Alliance December 2007

Quinn, Meacham Receive Sen. Kennedy Cites Walter Cronkite Awards TIA on Senate Floor

n November 6, 2007, The Interfaith and Bishop Jane Holmes Dixon, TIA’s Senior After a decade of organizing and lobbying by Alliance Foundation and Honorary Advisor for Inter-Religious Affairs, are two of members and staff of The Interfaith the national voices actively participating in OChair Walter Cronkite proudly present- Alliance—and just before this newsletter ed the 10th Annual Walter Cronkite Faith & this conversation. went to press—the United States Senate Freedom Awards to Jon Meacham and Sally Editor of Newsweek, Meacham is the best- passed the bipartisan, comprehensive hate Quinn, two of America’s foremost journalists selling author of American Gospel: God, the crimes bill. On the Senate floor during the and authors. The elegant décor of New York Founding Fathers, and the Making of a debate, Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) praised City’s Rainbow Room at 30 Rockefeller Plaza Nation (2006), widely reviewed as the best TIA’s work saying, “The Interfaith Alliance—a added a touch of timeless charm to this book yet about the revolutionary idea of sepa- nonpartisan advocacy organization year’s gala. rating religion and government in a representing 75 different religions—said that The Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy said Quinn democracy. Quinn has covered politics, cul- hate crimes are an assault upon ‘the belief and Meacham were selected because of their ture, and religion as a reporter and columnist that lies at the core of our diverse faith commitment to preserving religious liberty at . Former co-anchor traditions [and] that every human being is and honoring America’s history of religious for “CBS Morning News,” she is currently endowed with dignity and worth.’” Please pluralism. Together, Meacham and Quinn writing a book about the influence of religion urge your Members of Congress to ensure created and moderate On Faith, a ground- in Washington. final passage and tell President Bush that breaking online forum where a panel of Accepting the award, Meacham said that fair-minded Americans will not tolerate a leaders in faith, journalism and academia he has encountered “the kind of extremism veto: www.interfaithalliance.org/hatecrimes. answer a different question on faith and poli- that The Interfaith Alliance has so brilliantly tics each week. Rev. Gaddy, TIA’s president, and devotedly fought….We have seen the Continued page 6

The Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church; the Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy; and Walter Cronkite. www.interfaithalliance.org FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK Jesus Is Not On The Ticket Ask

Dear Friends, the election year program of The Interfaith A week or so ago on a Saturday morning, Alliance—One Nation, Many Faiths. Vote By Shayla Woodson, Member Services Associate a local political leader visited me in the office 2008—is taking on more significance than [email protected] of the church that I serve in Louisiana. He ever. We have prepared materials for houses of This edition of the Ask Shayla column begins wanted my thoughts on whether or not he worship, candidates, and voters. In relation to a three-part series on e-mail communication, should run for a seat in the Louisiana state all of these audiences, our goal is to heighten matching fund gifts, and monthly giving. Part legislature. Having known the man across sensitivity to the religious diversity in this one explores various e-mail related questions several years, I encouraged him to enter the land, to the abuses of religion that stem from that members have asked. race. At the same time, I said to him, “Please an overly-zealous enthusiasm for using 1) Your weekly e-mails are coming remember that Jesus is not on the ticket. This religion as a political strategy, and to the long as spam! How do I change that? election is not about religion. Our state needs term consequences of winning an election at Some e-mail systems have filters to pre- leaders who will make tough decisions that the expense of weakening the Constitution. screen all mail before it enters your improve economic development, strengthen Our materials provide clear, strong, positive mailbox. Most filtering programs will the quality of public education, and reign-in guidance on how to negotiate successfully a send us an e-mail to verify our address advocates for devoting public funds to way around and through election-year and we will do that. If you add us to your support religious ministries, schools, and dangers, and to preserve both the integrity of ‘safe list’ or ‘allowed addresses’, this will charities.” I also reminded the would-be religion, respect for the non-religious people allow you to receive our e-mails. candidate that even though I thought he in our nation, and the vitality of our 2) How can I get the e-mail updates should run for office, he should not expect democracy. under a new e-mail address? any endorsement or favoritism from me. He Religion’s role in this election cycle is not Either: (1) log on using your username said, “I knew that before I came to visit you.” to assure that candidates hold one particular and password that you’ve created and As this man walked out of my office, I religious conviction. At its best, religion will change your e-mail address or (2) send could not help but wonder how many such inspire voters to demand straight answers to an e-mail to Member Services via our conversations had gone on or were continuing questions about war and peace, immigration, website and I will change your e-mail across our nation in scores of different national security, international relations, address. Note: Due to security reasons, venues. And I wondered what kinds of government subsidies for religious activities, I cannot reset any passwords. I can have promises were being made or deals decided. civil rights laws, a balance of powers, our online system send you an e-mail Already religion is playing a role in this environmental concerns, a burgeoning reminder and you can reset it yourself. election cycle disproportionate to its proper national debt, public education, and other place in a political campaign. For that reason, issues of importance to the public welfare. 3) Is there a difference between tak- In this election cycle, regardless of your ing me off the mailing list and politics or your point of view on religion, get removing me from solicitations? involved and demand that candidates engage Yes – there is. When I receive a request in civil dialogue about important issues that for solicitation removal, you are still will determine the future of your community receiving renewals and any form of and of our nation. Then make your decisions online correspondence that you signed and vote. up for. When members request a mail- ing list cancellation, your membership Warm Regards, is cancelled along with any online com- munications you are currently receiving. 4) I want all correspondence through e-mail and internet only. Not a problem. Send me an e-mail at Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy [email protected] President and I’ll set your account up that way.

2 www.interfaithalliance.org TIA ON CAPITOL HILL Help TIA Track Faith-Based Funds Are Your Taxes Supporting Partisan Politics, Government-Funded Religion?

By Preetmohan Singh, ing that there had been a pattern of discrimina- Deputy Director of Public Policy [email protected] tion against religious organizations; and evaluations of many faith-based organizations’ ased on the activism of thousands of TIA programs are based in conjecture, not data. members like you, we have been suc- If you suspect that organizations in your Bcessful in blocking the Congress from local community are using taxpayer funding to establishing a permanent faith-based office or advance a sectarian allowing religious discrimination with taxpayer agenda, please con- dollars. However, President George W. Bush’s With your help, we can shine a bright light on the failed tact us. Executive Order establishing the White House As Rev. Gaddy faith-based initiative. faith-based initiative has allowed 11 federal testified at a con- agencies to set up programs providing funding House’s faith-based office, gressional hearing to religious groups. Since 2001, TIA has called David Kuo, on his weekly Air America radio on the faith-based initiative, “We do not need a for a complete dismantling of this office program, “State of Belief.” As Kuo said on the faith-based office in the White House. We have because it’s unconstitutional. We now need show and the Government Accountability Office faith-based offices all over this nation and they your help to identify groups who have been confirmed in a report to Congress, the faith- are right where they belong—in synagogues offered or denied faith-based funding for parti- based office has raised the following issues: and gurdwaras, mosques and churches, in san political gains. grants are being made based on religious iden- temples and store-front ministry centers.” The Rev. Welton Gaddy has twice inter- tification rather than program performance; the viewed the former deputy director of the White White House has misled the public into think-

A Dream in Doubt: Film Addresses Hate Crimes The Interfaith Alliance, Woodrow Wilson Institute Screen Award-Winning Documentary

ozens of TIA members, Capitol Hill featured Singh, the producer/director Tami staffers and our coalition partners Yeager and Rana Sodhi—the brother of the The filmmakers would like your Dinvolved in advocating first post-9/11 hate murder help to host similar events with for stronger hate crimes legis- victim, Balbir Sodhi. The film the film across the country. lation attended a screening with has won several awards at film the filmmakers of the award- festivals across the U.S. and winning documentary, “A will be shown on PBS next year. Foundation’s belief that those who value Dream in Doubt,” in “A Dream in Doubt” follows religious pluralism must send a strong, Washington on October 3. The Rana as he seeks vindication unified message that democratic and religious film, which chronicles the after- for his brothers’ murders by values call for equal protection for all people math of the first post-9/11 hate working to educate fellow to be free from attacks motivated by hate. murder of a Sikh man in Phoenix-area residents about Religion and government must work together Arizona, was co-produced by hate crimes; acting as the to create an America in which diverse people Preetmohan Singh. spokesman for his family and are safe as well as free. The screening was co-sponsored by the the Sikh community; running You can see pictures from the event at Division of U.S. Studies of the Woodrow his gas station to support his family; and, www.interfaithalliance.org/hatecrimes and Wilson International Center for Scholars, most importantly, attempting to guard his own learn more about the film at which hosted the event at their theater. The school-aged children—Rose, Satpreet and www.adreamindoubt.org. showing was followed by a panel discussion Navdeep—from bullying and harassment. facilitated by the Rev. Welton Gaddy, and The film personifies The Interfaith Alliance

Listen to State of Belief Radio: www.stateofbelief.com 3 INTERFAITH LEADERS IN ACTION Super Six Defend the Constitution

By Beth Sadow, Communications Intern 2007 hat do you get when you stick six col- lege-age people in a room and tell them Wto fight for their civil liberties? For the interns at The Interfaith Alliance, you get a fulfill- ing and relevant internship experience unique to

Washington, DC. Six college students were TIA’s Super Six Interns team selected from across the country for these com- up with Batman and Robin to defend the Constitution’s petitive positions. They had one thing in common: guarantee of religious liberty they were driven to promote their beliefs and val- for all Americans. ues by assisting The Interfaith Alliance in promoting civil liberties, countering the Religious Right and fighting for the separation of church and state. Despite these shared goals, they repre- sented a diverse set of backgrounds and religious graphics and faith traditions. He also helped to worked with the First Freedom First campaign, faiths. These six interns included people of differ- develop and improve resources to spread the updating its website, coordinating events, and ent faith traditions, including Islam, Christianity, message of religious pluralism. Erik Kesting looking for creative ways to spread the First Judaism, and Unitarian Universalism. organized the Leadership Education Advancing Freedom First message. The internship is designed to teach its partici- Democracy and Diversity (LEADD) program. By The interns worked tirelessly and diligently, pants about the different departments and how working with other staff members, he developed often staying long after business hours in order each promotes religious liberty, upholds the sep- the week-long summer camp that teaches high to get extra projects done. It wasn’t all hard work aration of church and state, and fosters an school students how to become informed and and long hours, however. The interns were given appropriate role for religion in public life. The engaged citizens in a religiously diverse nation. opportunities to accompany staff members to interns had a very diverse set of responsibilities, Max Croes worked in the field, developing activi- Capitol Hill for important hearings, as well as ranging from working on blogs to planning the ties and projects for affiliates to utilize. Mobeen participate in making history by asking questions annual LEADD camp for high school students to Nawaz worked on fundraising and researching for July’s CNN/YouTube presidential debates. creating membership outreach materials. foundations with similar principles. I worked in Each came away with a valuable experience and a Individually, they organized and produced the communications department researching the new perspective on Washington, DC and reli- their own projects. Chris Wieman worked in the top news stories and helped produce State of gion’s role in politics. field department, researching different demo- Belief on Air America radio. Sarah Burgess

In TIA’s intern “bullpen,” l-r, Erik Kesting, LEADD; Beth Sadow, Communications; Chris Wieman, Field; Mobeen Nawaz, Development; Sarah Burgess, First Freedom First; and Max Croes, Field.

4 Please Support The Interfaith Alliance INTERFAITH LEADERS IN ACTION High School Students Become Interfaith LEADDers

t a time when many national leaders, The second LEADD Camp met in August even presidential candidates, lack an 2007 at the Pearlstone Retreat and Conference Aunderstanding of America’s First Center in Reisterstown, Maryland. Thanks to this Freedom—the freedom of belief—The proximity to Washington, TIA’s Policy staff Interfaith Alliance Foundation created arranged for each of the LEADDers to lobby their Leadership Education Advancing Democracy own Members of Congress on Capitol Hill on & Diversity (LEADD). Designed to educate and issues where religion and politics intersect. inspire high school students, LEADD Camp Academic sessions led by an experienced, 2007 looked at government, law, and active diverse faculty, included From Diversity to Pluralism, Religious Freedom Then, Religious Freedom Today, and an examination of the intent of the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses of the First Amendment. Additional workshops focused Janice Marie Johnson (background), from the Unitarian on practical applications Universalist United Nations Office, leads a workshop on including Action Planning, conflict resolution. Messaging and Mobilizing, and Forming and Sustaining During their day in Washington, the new Interfaith LEADDers tour the National an Interfaith Group. Archives and other sites in the Capital City. Inspired by this new look at citizenship through the lens of the religious diversity and religious freedoms, the new freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment. LEADDers learned how to take their interfaith This year, 29 high school students became action plans back to their communities in LEADDers. No other existing camp brings Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, together young people so fully representative of Illinois, North Carolina, New York, America’s pluralism, comprising a wide range of Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. Each of the Interfaith LEADDers met with the staff of their Members of Congress to lobby for religious freedom and religious, socio-economic, and ethnic diversity. the separation of religion and government.

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During a break from their lobbying visits, LEADDers enjoy a tour of the United States Capitol, shown here in the Rotunda. www.WeLEADD.org 5 Gala continued from page 1 bloody and tragic wages of religious extrem- ism. We have to find a way to manage our affairs in a way that respects our religious dif- ferences, does not push religion to the side—because you can’t, ask James Madison about that—and move forward in a way in which we manage and marshal religious fer- vor and religious feeling for a greater good because it’s not going away, it’s never going to go away, until what Faulkner calls the ‘last red and dying evening.’” After saying that “Walter Cronkite has always been God to me,” Quinn talked about her personal journey to define her beliefs. In her teens, after seeing her father’s pictures of the Holocaust, she decided she was an athe- Legendary journalists Ben Bradlee and Walter Cronkite clasp hands, as Sally Quinn and Rev. Gaddy share the moment. ist, because “no god would allow that.” Over the years, viewing the “evil that religion had done,” she became “zealous about my athe- ism.” Continued page 7

The Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy and Walter Cronkite. Great food, enlightening company, and a shared commitment to religious freedom.

Each year, members and supporters of The Interfaith Alliance reconnect, network, and meet new friends at the Walter Cronkite Gala. The Rev. Dr. Galen Guengerich, chair of The Interfaith Alliance Foundation, speaks at the Rainbow Room. 6 www.interfaithalliance.org/donate Gala continued from page 6 STATE OF BELIEF RADIO Thanks to Meacham, she said, “I began to Saturdays: 10 a.m. Eastern/7 a.m. Pacific see the good in religion, not just the evil.” Sundays: 7 p.m. Eastern/4 p.m. Pacific The more she learned about religion, the On the Air America Radio Network more tolerant and and XM Satellite Radio – Channel 167. respectful she For your station: www.stateofbelief.com became. Now she says she’s neither an atheist nor an agnostic. “I decid- Jon Meacham, Sally Quinn, and Walter Cronkite. ed what I am, is grateful. Every single day…I’m grateful for all the blessings in my life….So Gratitude is my religion.” When Quinn asked him to collaborate in creating On Faith, Meacham told her if the Dalai Lama would participate, he would join her. It took only seven hours, he said, before she told him that the Dalai Lama had agreed to be the first guest voice. Different traditions, shared values. FIRST FREEDOM Karen’s Story FIRST

s religious freedom alive and well in your com- Then, while researching federal laws about By early October, the First Freedom First munity? Do you wish you could be more religion and public schools, Lalioff discovered petition had been signed by more than Iinvolved in helping defend the Constitution from a sermon by TIA’s president, the Rev. Dr. C. 300,000 citizens. More than 40 national those who want to impose one religious view on Welton Gaddy, who was responding to a rally organizations have also endorsed the First everyone else? You in Monroe, Louisiana calling for school Freedom First project. For more information could help organize a prayer. "Do organizers of this rally want to or to add your name to those calling for a new local affiliate of support personal, intimate spiritual commun- restoration of religious freedom and The Interfaith Alliance ion with God or a religious demonstration separation of church and state: in your community, intended to intimidate if not convert those who www.firstfreedomfirst.org or 800-510-0969. joining 47 local do not participate in it?" Rev. Gaddy asked. alliances in 38 states. “I began organizing our first meeting with That’s what Karen concern that I would not find meaningful sup- Lalioff is doing in port on interfaith issues that are close to my Karen Lalioff, Indiana. Indiana. heart, yet at out first meeting there were many “I learned about TIA some years ago when energetic, engaged people with a wealth of my daughter was in grade school and we were experience,” Lalioff said. “I feel a great sense having trouble with teachers who felt obligated of hope for the vision of a welcoming com- to bring the public school students to their munity, willing to stand with one voice and particular understanding of Christ,” she defend the integrity of individual faith.” recently told Jay Keller, TIA’s National Field For more information about how you can help Director. “To me as a parent, religious freedom protect religious freedom and the constitutional means the right to instill the religious values separation of religion and government, contact of my own family’s tradition. That the law was Jay Keller at [email protected] or on my side made little difference.” 800-510-0969.

www.firstfreedomfirst.org 7 Please Note Our New Address: The Interfaith Alliance 1212 New York Avenue, NW Seventh Floor Washington, DC 20005 800.510.0969 or 202.238.3300 www.interfaithalliance.org

The Light is a quarterly newsletter published by The Interfaith Alliance. Contributions to The Interfaith Alliance are not tax deductible for federal income- tax purposes. The Interfaith Alliance is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization. Please e-mail suggestions or questions about The Light to [email protected]. Edited and produced by Don Parker. Designed by Paras Productions, Inc. TIA7NL One Nation, Many Faiths ★ www.interfaithalliance.org

...And This Just In...

• Updated versions of TIA’s award-winning One Nation, Many Faiths publications “Running for Office in a Multi-Faith Nation” and “A Campaign Season Guide for Houses of Worship”!

• Plus, an all-new DVD companion for houses of wor- ship, featuring religious leaders, TIA activists and tax experts discussing the role religion can legally and appropriately play in the political process – and what the law says you should avoid.

• Also look for TIA’s “Five Questions” booklet, which will help you evaluate candidates’ positions on religious liberty issues during this busy election season.

For more information, or to receive copies of this year’s One Nation, Many Faiths publications, contact [email protected] or call 202-238-3271.