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Rep. Miller’s Attack on Sikh-led Prayer in Congress is a Xenophobic Asault on Freedom of Religion for All Faiths
Interfaith Alliance, a national leader in upholding multi-faith democracy and civil rights for all Americans, is appalled by Rep. Mary Miller’s bigoted attack on a Sikh man, whom she initially misidentified as Muslim, for leading a prayer on the floor of the House of Representatives. In her now-deleted post, Rep. Miller called on Congress to uphold the supposed “truth” that ““America was founded as a Christian nation.”
Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, president and CEO of Interfaith Alliance, released the following statement:
“Shame on Representative Miller for this disgraceful xenophobia. No, America was not founded as a ‘Christian nation’ — in this country we have freedom of religion for all people of all faiths and beliefs, including in the halls of Congress."
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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.
Faith, Freedom, and Reproductive Rights
At the heart of our democracy is the belief that individuals should be free to make decisions guided by their own conscience, values, and beliefs, especially when it comes to their health care. The growing efforts to restrict access to reproductive health care under the guise of religious or political authority is deeply concerning and recent legal challenges across the country threaten not only access to care but also the foundational principle that no single religious tradition should determine public policy for everyone.
Do No Harm: Resisting the Misuse of Religious Exemptions
When does the right to religious freedom become a justification for harm? This question is at the heart of the misuse of religious exemption laws. These laws – protections granted under the First Amendment and utilized for centuries by individuals of all faiths – have been exploited by Christian Nationalists to undermine other fundamental rights, including equality and non-discrimination.