Washington, D.C. – Interfaith Alliance President Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy issued the following statement today following President Obama’s reelection:

“The results are in, and we now know that President Barack Obama will be spending another four years in the White House.  He is to be congratulated as is Governor Mitt Romney for engaging in a process at the heart of our democracy and providing us with the opportunity to make our voices heard.  As we look toward the president’s second term and the convening of a new Congress, we also know that the issues we care about are every bit as important today as they were yesterday, and we have no intention of letting up on our work to protect religious freedom for every American.”

“The American people have maintained the status quo by reelecting the president, as well as by maintaining Democratic control of the Senate and Republican control of the House. But, voters also challenged the status quo by sending a clear message to Democrats and Republicans alike, demanding that all of us work together to solve our nation’s problems.  Most important now is not advancing a partisan agenda but demonstrating a patriotic focus on job creation and ensuring our national security.  Of course, pursuing those priorities should not stop our elected leaders from making greater progress in defense of religious freedom.  The president’s first term saw great successes, including the passage of anti-hate crimes legislation, the end of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, and a modicum of progress on reforming the White House Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.”

“But progress must still be made to end the bullying epidemic in our schools, prevent hiring discrimination, hold accountable houses of worship that violated the law during the election by endorsing candidates from the pulpit, and ensure marriage equality for all.  On that final point, the passage of pro-marriage equality ballot initiatives in Maryland, Maine and Washington State, and the defeat of an anti-marriage equality amendment in Minnesota, as well as the vote to retain Iowa Supreme Court Justice David Wiggins should refuel the energy of all working to achieve that goal.”

“With the election concluded, we remain a country almost equally divided in our devotion to two different visions of what this nation should be and become.  President Obama was chosen to lead us in facing the continuing challenge to bridge the cavernous divisions among us and work with all of us to bring our nation back together.  Interfaith Alliance will join the president and all committed to engaging that challenge responsibly and actively.”


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.