TIA Questions Repackaged Christian Coalition
(Washington, DC) On January 30th, Christian Coalition Executive Director Ralph Reed
held a press conference in Washington, DC announcing the Christian Coalition's new
legislative initiative, the so-called "Samaritan Project". Reed's "conservative, Christian
compassion-based agenda" is designed to fight poverty and woo minorities into an
organization that is "almost exclusively a white, evangelical, Republican movement."
"Reminiscent of the 104th Congress's legislative conversion late last summer, this seems
like nothing more than a politically packaged strategy aimed at softening the Christian
Coalition's image, while doing little to address the real issues affecting poor and working
families in this country," said Rev. Albert Pennybacker, President of The Interfaith
Alliance.
"The Interfaith Alliance's commitment to the poor is deeply rooted in our spiritual and
scriptural beliefs. The nation's places of worship cannot possibly fill the gaping void left by
the government's recent welfare actions. As an organization representing thousands of
members of the clergy, our concern is that we cannot provide the services that will be
necessary in the face of these changes. Political leaders should not assume we can fill the
service gaps they created. To do so is impossible," said Rev. Ken Brooker Langston of
The Interfaith Alliance.
"Why is it that the Christian Coalition claims it is anti-family for the government to give
food to a poor person, but that same government is uniquely qualified to teach something
as important and personal as religious faith to our children," said Rev. Albert
Pennybacker.
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