Statement of Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy
President of The Interfaith Alliance
On Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney’s Remarks on Faith in America

Washington, D.C. – Governor Romney should be commended for taking religious liberty so seriously. This speech is exactly the kind of conversation that we would hope candidates running for president would have with the American people on the role of faith in public life. While I may disagree with some of the points made in the speech, including his lack of acknowledgement of the values and contributions of the non-religious among us, I appreciate the overall tone. Now, Governor Romney must live up to the standard he has set for himself and, along with other candidates from both parties, stop the erosion of religious liberty in America.

To assist candidates in talking about religion in a campaign, The Interfaith Alliance Foundation has developed a guide on running for office in a multi-faith nation. The guide can be viewed at interfaithalliance.org.

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.