GUEST WRITER 1

GUEST WRITER (1)

The Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy,

President of The Interfaith Alliance

March 21, 2008

If you watched Senator Barack Obama’s speech on race in America Tuesday morning, I imagine you were as inspired by his remarks as I was. I commend his call for unity, civility and national dialogue; it is a message that The Interfaith Alliance will continue to promote during this and every election.

Sen. Obama’s statement offers us a model of civility – not just for handling racial issues, but also for addressing divisive religious issues. He gave Americans an important reminder that our society is not static and that change is possible. We can begin to heal religious divides too, but only if we all come together and do our part: reach out today and help me spread this message of civility, respect and unity.

But as you know, one speech is not a solution. Just like the sensitive racial issues Sen. Obama spoke about on Tuesday, divisive religious issues must still be addressed – constructively, openly and often – by politicians, activists, voters and religious leaders in every town across America.

What still needs significant emphasis after Sen. Obama’s speech is a clear call for religious leaders to avoid partisan entanglements, especially during election years. While clergy must be free to offer moral guidance on important issues, they lose credibility – and open their houses of worship to IRS investigation – by aligning themselves with a single candidate or political party.

It’s up to you and me to spark a national dialogue on the important issues at the intersection of religion and government, while defending the boundaries between the two.