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For Immediate Release
February 10, 2010
Contact: Ari Geller - Rabinowitz/Dorf
Communications 202-265-3000
Interfaith Alliance praises President’s Advisory Council for
Supporting Separate Incorporation for Houses of Worship Seeking
Federal Funds
Washington, DC –Interfaith Alliance
President, Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, issued the following
statement today following release of the final tally of a vote
by the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-based and
Neighborhood Partnerships on the issue of requiring separate
incorporation for houses of worship seeking federal funds for
social services.
The narrow margin of the vote should by
no means take away from the clear message being sent to the
president – houses of worship and other faith based
organizations have an important role to play in providing social
services, but safe guards must be put in place that protect both
the vitality of religion and the integrity of government.
This outcome was by no means assured
going in and in fact was considered an unlikely result by people
on both sides of the issues. Though the process has been
imperfect, debate on this issue has been long, impassioned, and
civil. The recommendations made by the council fulfill the
purpose of the Reform of the Office Task Force as they help
bring the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood
Partnerships inline with the Constitution. I urge the president
to implement these recommendations as quickly as possible.
However, this work is not done. We still
await action by the administration on the ability of religious
organizations receiving federal funds to engage in
discriminatory hiring practices—another constitutional issue.
Discrimination supported by federal funds has no place in
government or religion.
Interfaith
Alliance celebrates religious freedom by championing individual
rights, promoting policies that protect both religion and
democracy, and uniting diverse voices to challenge extremism.
Founded in 1994, Interfaith Alliance has 185,000 members across
the country from 75 faith traditions as well as those without a
faith tradition. For more information visit
www.interfaithalliance.org
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