Since our founding in 1992, Interfaith Alliance has been at the forefront of advocating for religious freedom and social justice. Our history is marked by significant achievements that reflect our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive society.
Since its inception in 1992, Interfaith Alliance has championed the cause of religious freedom and social justice. Our timeline showcases the significant milestones that have shaped our impact over the years.
On July 14, 1994, Interfaith Alliance is founded. “A broad coalition of mainline religious leaders plans… an educational and lobbying group intended to counter the Christian Coalition, the leading organization of religious conservatives,” the New York Times reported.
Interfaith Alliance began distributing voter candidate guides, peaking at 5 million in 1996. “Led by a 19-member board that includes Catholic bishops, Jewish rabbis and ministers of several Protestant denominations, the Alliance has ‘snowballed’ into a national movement,” USA TODAY reported.
Legendary journalist Walter Cronkite became a spokesperson for Interfaith Alliance, which led to 70,000 new members over a two-year period. In 1998, Interfaith Alliance announced the Walter Cronkite Faith and Freedom Award.
Local alliances grew rapidly in the early years of the organization, and the first national leadership gathering was held in 1997.
Interfaith Alliance countered right-wing activists trying to impeach President Bill Clinton.
George W. Bush and Al Gore both signed Interfaith Alliance’s pledge calling on candidates to “not use religion as a weapon in their campaign or claim that a vote for them is a vote for God.”
Interfaith Alliance undertook a major campaign in support of campaign finance reform, which was opposed by right-wing Christian groups. “Campaign Finance Reform and Faith, a Call To A Faithful Decision” was published in 2002.
The morning after the attacks, Interfaith Alliance issued a statement extending our condolences to those touched by the attacks and calling on Americans to “hold fast to the core values” of the nation’s great religious traditions, and in so doing to deter hateful stereotyping and vengeful attacks on Muslims and Islamic centers of worship.
Interfaith Alliance releases “Same-Gender Marriage & Religious Freedom: A Call to Quiet Conversations and Public Debates,” a paper authored by its president, Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy. In the paper, Rev. Gaddy calls for a new national discussion on marriage based on the premise that "law, not scripture, is the foundation of government regulations related to marriage in our nation."
During a time of heightened anti-Muslim bigotry, Interfaith Alliance was a founding member of the Shoulder to Shoulder campaign to unite Christian, Jewish, and other religious leaders in working together in countering Islamophobia
Interfaith Alliance joined religious and civil rights organizations in welcoming the introduction of the Do No Harm Act, a federal response to the misuse of religious freedom to create a license for discrimination.
Donald Trump’s Muslim ban is rebuked by Interfaith Alliance, and overturned by President Biden in 2021.
Interfaith Alliance is a leader in defending the Johnson amendment, which prohibits partisan politicking by houses of worship and other 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations. Although President Trump makes revoking it a priority, the Johnson amendment remains on the books today.
Interfaith Alliance speaks out against the misuse of religion to harm LGBTQ people in one of a series of cases concerning religious freedom that is taken up by the Roberts Court.
President and CEO Rabbi Jack Moline hosts two interview programs that reach tens of thousands of people: Stay Home, Stay Focused, and The American Purpose.
Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is named President and CEO of Interfaith Alliance, succeeding Rabbi Jack Moline.
Interfaith Alliance is a critical supporter of the Respect for Marriage Act, which codified protections for same-sex marriage and interracial marriage into federal law. Senator Durbin held up our signed petition demonstrating that the majority of people of faith support same sex marriage.
Interfaith Alliance’s longstanding radio program and podcast The State of Belief announces a partnership with Religion News Service for wider distribution.
Unveiling a major rebrand, Interfaith Alliance charts a new course as a democracy and religion civic organization with the leadership of President and CEO Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush. During the lead up to the 2024 election, Interfaith Alliance launches the Vote Is Sacred Bus Tour from Omaha to Philadelphia.
Interfaith Alliance challenges the implementation of Project 2025, while articulating a compelling alternative: Promise 2025. Three issue pillars take shape for the organization: Democracy NOT Theocracy, Freedom NOT Extremism, and Education NOT Indoctrination.