Democracy Not Theocracy
Respect for all religious beliefs and the right to choose no religion is a core value of our shared democracy. Protecting the First Amendment and the country's dedication to the "Separation of Church and State" is essential.
If we are to continue to have a healthy democracy, we must always base our public decisions in our shared values and civil law, not in the teachings or sacred texts of any particular theology. Democracy is the core of our nation, not theocracy.
The Interfaith Alliance of Iowa and Action Fund exists to Protect Faith and Freedom in our state.
Discrimination based on religion
Religion is often misused as a justification for writing discrimination into civil law or as a method to block civil rights legislation from moving forward. This practice is not unique to
It is not just misusing religion as justification for discrimination in law, but in the practical applications of daily life as well. Religion is used as a tool to justify discriminatory beliefs against those of other religions, based on sexual orientation or gender. For example:
"I do not have to hire a XXX as our accountant. They believe in a ‘different’ God and my religious beliefs tell that is wrong."
"I'm not going to rent to you because my religion tells me not to condone your 'lifestyle'."
"My church tells me that I do not have to provide medical services for XXX because it is a sin."
Religion was used to justify slavery. Religion was used to mistreat women as chattel. Religion was used to promote and defend laws banning inter-racial marriage. Religion continues to be used to marginalize the rights of minority religions in our religiously pluralistic nation. Religion is profoundly misused to justify discrimination against people who are gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender in all areas of life including, but not limited to, access to marriage.
A universal tenet of most of the world’s religions is to “love thy neighbor”. In what way does misusing religion for the sake of discrimination fulfill that call?
Imposing religion in public schools and public property
Religiously conservative organizations and churches put much effort into imposing religion into our public entities, especially schools. Whether prayer in school (including the euphemism "moments of silence"), teaching creationism (currently called Intelligent Design), or posting the Ten Commmandments in a public building, such efforts are disrespectful of the diversity of beliefs which comprise our religiously pluralistic society and shake our foundation of religious freedom established in our First Amendment.
The Courts have addressed these issues over time. An example is in the 2005 federal case of Kitzmiller v. Dover which banned the teaching of the non-scientific, religiously-based concept known as "Intelligent Design".
The following are related Issue Statements of Interfaith Alliance of Iowa and Action Fund designed to promote the protection of both Faith and Freedom in our state.
Posting of the Ten Commandments
Faith Based and Community Services
In 2001, signing his first Executive Order as President of the United States, President G.W. Bush created the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. With that action as well as additional Executive Orders, President Bush caused immense damage to religious freedom and "Separation of Church and State", concepts long cherished in our nation.
Faith organizations and houses of worship no longer had to play by the same rules of other social service providers receiving federal funds. They no longer were required to keep their "church affairs" and their service provision separate. They could discriminate in hiring. Some rightly argue preference was even given to some types of faith communities over others in the dissemination of public funds.
President Obama has tweaked the office and it is now called the White House Council for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. What does the future hold for this office and for religious freedom? Will sanctity of religious freedom be reinstated and separation of church affairs from government funds become the expected practice again? Will a policy of non-discrimination in hiring and service provision be mandated? Time can only tell.
The Interfaith Alliance of Iowa and Action Fund encourages President Obama and Joshua DuBois, the President's appointee to head the department, to follow through on promises made. Those who value religious freedom and maintaining a distinct separation between religion and government are anxiously watching.
Faith Based and Community Initiatives
