Religious Leaders Question Repackaged Christian Coalition
- (WASHINGTON, DC - 1/30/97) Leaders of The Interfaith Alliance today questioned the
authenticity of the Christian Coalition's newly announced legislative agenda and renewed
their opposition to government sponsored school prayer.
"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 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. It is a family's solemn duty
and fundamental right to teach their children the religion of their choice without
interference from political activists turned government bureaucrats. School prayer is not
one size fits all." said Rev. Albert Pennybacker.
"While in the 1960's some religious leaders such as Jerry Falwell used religion to justify
racial discrimination, in the 1990's the Christian Coalition is now outrageously trying to
play the role of discrimination victim in pushing the so called Religious Freedom
Amendment. They show a profound blind spot for what real discrimination is and their
movement should know better," said Jill Hanauer, Executive Director of The Interfaith
Alliance.
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