Hello. My name is Rodney Page and I am Executive Director of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. I am also a minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

I come here today because I am deeply concerned about the deteriorating condition of our civic life. With each new election cycle, attempts at constructive public dialogue are marred by divisive rhetoric, manipulative tactics, and a mean-spirited intolerance of the views and values of other citizens. Instead of a much-needed conversation about our urgent national problems, we instead hear dehumanizing language about families on welfare, unscrupulous scapegoating of those who are different, and the deliberate demonizing of political opponents. Such poisonous talk has contributed to an unhealthy environment in which it is extremely difficult for people of good will to engage one another in a fair and honest exchange of ideas.

Particularly disturbing to people of faith is the role that religion appears to play in all of this. In the name of God and "family values," these extremist organizations preach not the gospel of love and healing, but rather a destructive message of division, discord, and even outright hatred. To achieve their political goals, they unhesitantly engage in character assassination, the distortion of fact, and the deliberate misrepresentation of the beliefs and values of their political opponents. Presuming to speak for all real people of faith, they demonize those with whom they disagree, and then silence their critics with charges of religious bigotry. Worst of all, they even go so far as to claim God's full endorsement of their malice, their prejudice, and their extreme political agenda.

When such deceptive and divisive activities are carried out in the name of God and religion, people of faith can no longer remain silent. Confronted by this very real threat to both the integrity of the democratic process and the sanctity of religious beliefs, people of faith must speak out. We must come together, stand together, work together, and together loudly say, "Enough is enough."

Today we come together to form the Oregon Interfaith Alliance. In so doing, we publicly identify ourselves with over 20,000 people of faith across the nation who have already become a part of this nonpartisan, grassroots movement. Christians, Jews, Muslims, and others, we are a nationwide interfaith movement committed to reclaiming our religious symbols and to revitalizing our civic life. Together with the mainstream religious leaders who comprise the national Interfaith Alliance, and the many active citizens who participate in 16 local and state alliances, we intend to offer people of faith everywhere an alternative voice to that of the extreme right.

Religion should never be used to promote prejudice, deceit, and division. Neither should it be used as a weapon against one's political enemies. Whenever religion contributes to public life, it should do so in a positive way--by working for reconciliation, inspiring common effort, celebrating diversity, promoting concern for the less fortunate, and affirming the dignity of all human beings.

As members of the Oregon Interfaith Alliance, we pledge to resist the politics of division. More specifically, we pledge to help restore civility and common sense to the public debate, to educate voters, and to stress the unifying principles of our various faiths--peace, justice, and mutual respect. We also pledge to promote the positive role of religion as a healing and constructive force in public life, and to challenge those who manipulate religion for partisan political gain.

We hope that all of you who share our concerns and our vision will join us and help us fulfill our mission: to make Oregon and America a better place for all its citizens. Thank you.