Washington, DC – Rev. Dr. Welton Gaddy, President of The Interfaith Alliance issued the following statement in response to a letter sent by U.S. Representative Virgil Good (R-VA) to John Cruickshank, the chair of a local chapter of the Sierra Club in Virginia:

 

Representative Goode’s comments about the Quran and Muslims are further evidence of the deterioration of tolerance and religious liberty in this country.  It is beyond belief that an elected representative of the American people would so willfully demonize another religion based on nothing but xenophobic nonsense.  It would seem to me that when taking the oath of office, one should place their hand on the book that holds the most meaning for them – be that the Old Testament, the New Testament, the Quran, or the Constitution.


Interfaith Alliance is a network of people of diverse faiths and beliefs from across the country working together to build a resilient democracy and fulfill America’s promise of religious freedom and civil rights not just for some, but for all. We mobilize powerful coalitions to challenge Christian nationalism and religious extremism, while fostering a better understanding of the healthy boundaries between religion and government. We advocate at all levels of government for an equitable and just America where the freedoms of belief and religious practice are protected, and where all persons are treated with dignity and have the opportunity to thrive. For more information visit interfaithalliance.org.