EARTHKEEPING NEWS A NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN COALITION FOR CHRISTIANITY AND ECOLOGY Volume Five, Number Four March/April 1996 "What is required of thee but to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with thy God" (Micah 6:8) THE INTERFAITH ALLIANCE: A RESPONSE TO THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT When overseas listeners to CNN believe that the only voice speaking for Christians is the Christian Coalition, and ask, "Where are the voices of love and compassion we used to hear," it is a wake up call to the silent majority of Christians. The embarrassed mainstream churches have mobilized a response to the Coalition through the Interfaith Alliance, an inclusive, non-partisan national organization of people of faith who challenge the agenda of the religious right. "We are shocked that the basic social contract of this country is being attacked in the guise of religious ideology." said Dr. Albert M. Pennybacker, a Board member of the National Council of Churches of Christ, "Ours is a nation of religious pluralism, and diversity is a strength. The Christian Coalition cannot speak for all Christians." The Alliance challenges the tactics of the quasi-religious groups of the radical right for their: overt manipulation of religion for political gain; fostering divisiveness and fear of fellow citizens within the community; unprecedented challenge to historically accepted interpretation of the US Constitution; attempted dismantling of the public education system which has traditionally served everyone, regardless of economic, cultural or faith background; promotion of "family" oriented values which border on idolatry of a specific way of life. The Interfaith Alliance was founded by The National Council of Churches of Christ (NCC), a body of 51 million members in 33 Christian denominations, along with people of other faiths. Its mission is to bring the commitment, analysis and engagement of people of faith to electoral politics. So far there are 17 statewide Interfaith Alliances associated with a national office in Washington. Their activities include holding forums on religion and public life, voter education on candidate issue positions, mobilizing "Faith SWAT Teams" to counter attacks by the religious right on local governing bodies, searching for common ground among divergent groups through dialogue; and publicizing Alliance positions. For more information write Interfaith Alliance Foundation, 1511 K St. NW, #738, Washington DC 20005; 202/639-6370. Home     Table of Contents