WASHINGTON – Today, following the passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, Rabbi Jack Moline, executive director of Interfaith Alliance, released this statement:

“Today we mourn the passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. From his stalwart support of religious belief and practice to his fiery dissent from LGBT equality cases, Justice Scalia did more to define the contours of religious freedom in the United States than perhaps any other leader in recent memory. While we may not have always shared his vision of the First Amendment, we honor and commemorate his contribution to the work to safeguard our first freedom. We call on President Obama and Congress to swiftly act to appoint a successor for Justice Scalia; the Constitution is too important not to be protected by a full bench.”


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.