Christian nationalists oppose the teaching of Black history and Critical Race Theory out of fear the subjects could spark compassion for marginalized people, civil rights leader William Barber II said during a radio show hosted by Interfaith Alliance. “The forces…
Oklahoma’s OK for nation’s first religious charter school to be challenged in court
Legal, political and faith-based opposition is mounting against Oklahoma’s action clearing the way for the nation’s first religious charter school. Americans United for the Separation of Church and State announced preparations are under way for legal action after the Oklahoma…
Welton Gaddy, Baptist champion of interfaith religious freedom
C. Welton Gaddy, once a rising star among Southern Baptists who left to champion progressive causes and dedicated much of his life to religious liberty for all people, died at his home in Monroe, La., June 7. He was 81….
BJC and Interfaith Alliance applaud first-ever national strategy to counter antisemitism
Antisemitism “threatens all of us,” the White House said in announcing a first-ever national strategy to counter antisemitism May 25. “While antisemitic incidents most directly and intensely affect the Jewish community, antisemitism threatens all of us. Antisemitic conspiracy theories fuel…
Religious leaders must step up to support our trans siblings
Every November, the Princeton University Chapel would host a vigil for Transgender Day of Remembrance, commemorating the lives of trans people worldwide who had been victims of anti-trans violence. As associate dean of the chapel, I welcomed the university and…
New York City mayor dismisses need for separation of church and state
New York City Mayor Eric Adams denied the need for separation of church and state in a speech at an interfaith breakfast Feb. 28. “Don’t tell me about no separation of church and state,” he said. “State is the body….
Faith groups must fight online hate, Interfaith Alliance urges
Sermons urging social media fasts or sabbaticals from screen time are woefully inadequate attempts to combating the racial and religious hatred individuals and faith groups are increasingly experiencing online, Interfaith Alliance President Paul Brandeis Raushenbush said. Religious leaders and communities…
Panelists sound urgent wake-up call about the threat of Christian nationalism
Texas voting rights advocate Tayhlor Coleman despises Christian nationalism so much that she seethes at the very name of the white supremacist movement. “I actually bristle a bit every time I hear the word ‘Christian nationalism’ because when I look…
Raushenbush named leader of Interfaith Alliance
A great-grandson of the first Jewish Supreme Court Justice and of the most prominent early 20th century Baptist pastor teaching the Social Gospel has been named leader of Interfaith Alliance, an organization dedicated to protecting the integrity of both religion…