PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

Challenging the Misuse of Religion in Politics
by Amy Wolf Monday, Sep. 11, 2006 at 2:19 PM
awolf@thalerpekar.com

A Public Town Hall meeting that addresses the misuse of religion in politics. Tuesday, September 12, 2006 • The Andy Warhol Museum, 117 Sandusky Street, Pittsburgh • Reception: 6:00pm, Event: 7:00 — 8:30pm • Free and open to the public

A RABBI, A REVEREND AND A MUSLIM SCHOLAR WALK INTO THE WARHOL MUSEUM AND CHALLENGE EXTREMISM

One Nation, Many Faiths, Vote 2006: A Town Hall Meeting hosted by The Interfaith Alliance • Tuesday, September 12, 2006 • The Andy Warhol Museum, 117 Sandusky Street, Pittsburgh • Reception: 6:00pm, Event: 7:00 — 8:30pm • Free and open to the public
Hor d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served

Pittsburgh, Penn.— In 2004, the Bush/Cheney campaign unethically asked 1,600 “Bush friendly” congregations for their directories. Despite outrage from the religious community, this year 125 Pennsylvania pastors have already begun recruiting and training by former Bush campaigners to turn their congregants into votes come November. And, Focus on the Family’s James Dobson is working to “build a church-based political machine” in Pennsylvania and seven other states.

The Interfaith Alliance is standing up against this dangerous and disrespectful misuse of religion, and working to defend the autonomy and integrity of houses of worship in Pittsburgh and around the country.

The Interfaith Alliance (TIA) holds that religion has a positive role to play in politics through encouraging civic involvement and discussion of important issues. Its program, One Nation, Many Faiths, Vote 2006 illuminates the intersection of religion and politics — what helps and what hurts the sanctity of religion and the functioning of democracy.

The Interfaith Alliance’s Vice President Suzie Armstrong is hosting this Town Hall Meeting at The Andy Warhol Museum as part of its One Nation, Many Faiths, Vote 2006 program, to provide an multi-faith dialogue on the impact of religion on the upcoming election. Expert panelists include:

Ann Rodgers–Religion Reporter, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Rabbi Jack Moline–Agudas Achim Congregation, Arlington, Virginia
Laura Olson–Clemson University, North Carolina, and author of “Religion and Politics in America: Faith, Culture, and Strategic Choices”
Hussein Rashid–Scholar, Blogger and Doctoral Candidate in the Study of Indo-Muslim Culture at Harvard
Reverend Dr. George F. Regas–Rector Emeritus, All Saints, Pasadena

This forum will also provide two guides which provide detailed do’s and don’t on how religion and government can, and should work together. For clergy, The Interfaith Alliance has produced, A Campaign Season Guide for Houses of Worship; and for candidates, Running for Office in a Multi-Faith Nation. These booklets are available for free at the event and upon request.

Please feel free to contact Amy Wolf at 917-847-4992 or awolf@thalerpekar.com to set up an interview, receive more information, or copies of the guides, (they’re a great tool for journalists.) Thank you for your time and consideration.