Press Release
Interfaith Alliance Celebrates Historic Signing of Respect For Marriage Act
Interfaith Alliance Celebrates Historic Signing of Respect For Marriage Act
WASHINGTON—After the President signed the Respect for Marriage into law today, religious freedom advocates are celebrating an historic day for justice and equality, and applauding the determined activism from multifaith Americans which helped get this bill over the finish line. The Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, president and CEO of Interfaith Alliance, released the following statement:
“Marriage will be protected for millions of couples across the country in large part thanks to the steadfast support from diverse faith communities. This achievement is a shining example of our power to wield faith as a bridge, not a bludgeon.
“Interfaith Alliance is honored to join President Biden at the White House for this historic signing, and we look forward to continuing our work with leaders on both sides of the aisle to further an inclusive vision of religious freedom.”
The wide consensus among diverse faith traditions in support of the Respect for Marriage Act was unprecedented. Interfaith Alliance led 45 denominations and faith-based organizations, representing millions of Americans, in a joint statement affirming their support for the bill. In addition, Interfaith Alliance spearheaded a letter to Senate leaders alongside four major Christian denominations and a broad group of multifaith partners applauding the robust religious freedom protections added by the Senate.
Interfaith Alliance champions an inclusive vision of religious freedom and has long promoted the principle that LGBTQ+ equality and religious freedom are complementary – not contradictory – values.
I.R.S. Support for Political Endorsement by Houses of Worship Erodes Critical Boundary Between Religion and Government
WASHINGTON – Interfaith Alliance, a national leader in defending religious freedom and inclusive multi-faith democracy, is deeply concerned by a new I.R.S. court filing that says churches and other houses of worship can endorse political candidates to their congregations from the pulpit. This action by the Trump Administration violates the fundamental purpose and spirit of the Johnson Amendment, a decades-old ban on political campaigning and endorsement by non-profits, including houses of worship.
Interfaith Alliance Condemns Islamophobia and Extremist Targeting of Public Officials
As a national leader in defending religious freedom and multi-faith democracy, Interfaith Alliance is appalled by the recent surge of Islamophobic hate speech and incitement against NYC Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, and the broader pattern of extreme hate directed against public officials and vulnerable minorities. This hateful rhetoric seeks to spread polarization and division and wrongly pit diverse American communities against one another.
SCOTUS Ruling in Mahmoud v. Taylor Enables LGBTQ+ Discrimination, Harms True Religious Freedom
WASHINGTON, DC – Interfaith Alliance, a national leader in defending religious freedom and multi-faith democracy, is deeply disturbed by the Supreme Court’s ruling today in the case of Mahmoud v. Taylor. The decision clears the way for further discrimination against diverse groups and undermines public education. While falsely claiming the mantle of religious freedom, it in fact suppresses diversity and promotes exclusion.