Interfaith Alliance on Senator Obama Church Resignation: Decision for Political Reasons...

Interfaith Alliance on Senator Obama Church Resignation: Decision for
Political Reasons Dishonors Religion and Disrespects Constitution

WASHINGTON, May 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Rev. Dr. C. Welton
Gaddy, a practicing Baptist minister and President of the Interfaith Alliance,
issued the following statement upon the news that presidential candidate
Senator Barack Obama resigned his nearly two decade membership at Trinity
United Church of Christ in Chicago:
"No candidate for the presidency should ever have to resign from or join a
particular house of worship in order to be a viable candidate for that high
office. To make such a decision for political reasons dishonors religion and
disrespects the constitution. This is a sad day in American politics and even
sadder in American religion. Senator Obama is at the center of the storm, but
all who wed religion to partisan politics share responsibility for this tragic
development."
The 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,
the 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.
SOURCE The Interfaith Alliance

Ari Geller of The Interfaith Alliance, +1-202-689-4985