During an interview earlier today, former presidential candidate Ben Carson referred to Walter Cronkite as a ‘left wing radical.’ Rabbi Jack Moline, president of Interfaith Alliance, responded with the following statement:

“We were honored to have Mr. Cronkite serve as the honorary chair of Interfaith Alliance up until his death in 2009. He was a man of deep convictions and he passionately supported our goals because he believed that ‘nothing less was at stake’ in our work ‘than the future of democracy as we know it.’  He understood the need to protect the boundaries between religion and government, and to protect the religious freedom of all Americans regardless of faith or belief. Walter Cronkite was rightfully considered the most trusted man in America, that he and a concept so central to the American experience would be considered ‘radical’ says more about Dr. Carson and today’s politics than it does about Mr. Cronkite.”


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.