Interfaith Alliance Makes Recommendations to Obama on Faith-Based Initiatives.

For Immediate Release

March 9, 2010

Contact: Ari Geller - Rabinowitz/Dorf Communications 202-265-3000

Interfaith Alliance Calls for Quick Implementation of

Recommendations From President’s Advisory Council

Washington, DC –Interfaith Alliance President, Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, issued the following statement today urging the president to move quickly to implement the recommendations of his Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Rev. Gaddy was a member of the taskforce charged with making recommendations on the reform of the faith-based office in the White House.

The recommendations made by the advisory council go a long way toward bringing the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships in line with the Constitution. I have made no secret of my desire to see this office closed, but if it is going to continue, it must do so – and can do so – in a way that respects the boundaries between religion and government.

The ball is in the president’s court now. Until the president takes action, these are only recommendations. Until he takes action, we are still working under the same guidelines used by the Bush Administration which allowed for untold damage to befall the institutions of religion and government. I have urged the administration to implement the recommendations via executive order as soon as possible.

The recommendations presented to the president will not only strengthen the constitutional foundations of the office, they will protect the religious freedom rights of social service beneficiaries, increase transparency, and most importantly, ensure that government money does not flow directly to houses of worship.

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, 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.