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funded religion.

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The Interfaith Alliance of Idaho

PO Box 15893
Boise, ID 83715-5893

TIA Message Phone:

208-368-6772

Office:

208-331-7028

Email:

info@tiaidaho.org

EVENT CALENDAR

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Protesters speak out for quashed human rights bill

Carrying signs with slogans including, “Love your neighbor as yourself doesn’t mean ‘Everybody but…..

Community Rallies for Fairness and Anti-discrimination Bill

Boise, ID-Advocates for equal rights, fairness, and diversity gathered Wednesday, March 26, at 12:30 to join in the Idaho Women’s Network (IWN), The Interfaith Alliance (TIA), and Idaho Equality in a last-ditch effort….

EPA holds its breath, Boston Globe,

March 24, 2008

THIS MONTH, the Environmental Protection Agency was about to take a major step forward in curbing pollutants that cause smog….

People of Many Faiths and Cultures Gather to Support Tibetans, OHRJ

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

On Sunday, March 30th in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, around 250 people gathered on the Courthouse steps for a rally for Tibet sponsored by the newly-formed organization, “One Human Race 4 Justice.....”

Valley residents rally to support human rights in Darfur and Tibet,

April 14, 2008

About 150 people attended two events at the Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial in Boise. The first was held in support of Tibet and the ongoing fight with the Chinese government for religious and cultural freedom...

Boise Prayer Vigil for Tibet,

April 14, 2008

Boise, Idaho-- A prayer vigil at Boise's Ann Frank Memorial Sunday called for support of the Dalai Lama, and residents in Tibet. Tashi Dondup, a member of Idaho's Tibetan Buddhist Community, spoke about the conflict between China and Tibet -- and addressed the importance of the free exercise of religion….

Prayer Day 'Hijacked' by Evangelicals, Critics Say
Washington Post - 4/26/08

Is the upcoming National Day of Prayer a day for all Americans -- or just conservative evangelicals? That's what some critics are charging in advance of the observances Thursday as they call for a more inclusive approach to an event that they say has been "hijacked" by conservative Christians. Jews on First, a 2 1/2 -year-old online organization, has questioned the application process for coordinators affiliated with the National Day of Prayer Task Force, which is headed by Shirley Dobson, wife of Focus on the Family founder James Dobson. Although the task force is a private group, it nonetheless gets an unofficial government seal of approval with an annual proclamation by President Bush and prayer ceremonies held at the White House and on Capitol Hill. Jews on First is spearheading an "Inclusive National Day of Prayer" campaign that includes a Web site featuring talking points, sample letters to governors and a list of "alternative inclusive observances." "The National Day of Prayer has been hijacked!" the group declares on its Web site. "What began as President Truman's declaration of a National Prayer Day for all Americans is now excluding and dividing us on religious lines." Jane Hunter, co-director of Jews on First, said her group has interfaith volunteers in several states who are urging their governors to issue inclusive proclamations about the annual observance. "The volunteers who organize the events . . . are required to pledge that they will only invite Christian clergy to officiate," said Hunter, a longtime Jewish activist who lives in Bethesda. "The volunteers themselves have to . . . make a statement of faith that is very narrowly drawn so that only a conservative evangelical Christian would be comfortable doing it."

Interfaith Media Roundup, from The Interfaith Alliance

America contains a vast diversity of people, and religion is a facilitator of understanding among them. Real solutions for the problems addressing our nation will come only from people who represent and appreciate this diversity. The Interfaith Alliance is your strong and inclusive voice.

The Interfaith Alliance:

● Challenges the manipulation of religion for sectarian or partisan political purposes.

● Educates legislators and their staff to better understand and appreciate the religious liberty clause of the Constitution.

● Promotes a partnership between religion and government that preserves the autonomy of houses of worship and ensures that religious institutions are not held accountable to the priorities and interests of federal, state, or local governments.

● Informs lawmakers that in matters of faith, government must not take sides.

Protesters speak out for quashed human rights bill

● Advocates that no citizen’s rights or opportunities should depend on their religious beliefs or practices.