Letter to Candidates Concerning Pledge of Civility
September 12, 1996
Dear Candidates:
The Interfaith Alliance is an organization of mainstream people of faith representing a
diverse spectrum of religious and political traditions. We emerged out of our common
concern that our public debate regarding the direction of our nation has become
increasingly uncivil and negative. Too often religion is used as a weapon in the public
debate.
We believe that it is critical that those seeking public office provide leadership in
promoting a more civil and tolerant society. Just as we look to religious leaders in our
nation to ensure that religion is a healing force rather than a source of division, we look to
public officials to uphold the principle of civility in their words and actions. Religion and
politics have always intersected in American public life and we at The Interfaith Alliance
celebrate America’s great tradition of religious and political diversity.
We are asking you to work with us this campaign season in helping to restore civility to
the public debate. Attached you will find our Candidate Pledge of Civility. We are asking
candidates for federal, state, and local offices like yourself to take this Pledge and send a
message to voters that you are committed to restoring civility in the political process. The
Pledge asks you among other things not to use religion as a weapon and not to appeal to
intolerance and prejudice as means of generating support for your campaign.
This pledge will be a part of our public education activities. These include voter guides,
public forums, and letters to the editor. We very much hope you will participate in this
very important step in The Interfaith Alliance’s efforts to restore civility to the public
debate. Please sign and return the Pledge by September 27, 1996 in the enclosed
envelope. Please direct any questions to our staff at (202)639-6370.
Sincerely,
Albert M. Pennybacker
President
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