an Evangelical Christian audience.  It is hard not to see this choice as playing to the misguided fears and beliefs of those you are trying to court for political gain.  Terrorism is a real threat that requires serious investigation based on fact; it is never acceptable to use religion as a political tool, especially when you are disparaging someone else’s religion in the process.  Such claims have the dangerous potential to intensify, rather than to lessen, prejudice toward Muslims.

Our nation was built upon the freedom for all people of all faiths – and people of no religious faith – to be equal with none favored over the other.  Your recent comments lead one to believe that you seek to benefit from the wedge that religion can drive between voters during elections.  Furthermore, there exists in our country today a pervasive and unsettling trend of anti-Muslim fear, bigotry and rhetoric and a general lack of understanding of the real differences between Islamic extremists who commit acts of terrorism and non-violent adherents to Islam.  It is the responsibility of our elected officials and those seeking elected office to promote reason, truth and civility in the public forum— especially at a time when Islamophobia is on the rise—not to waste time on victimizing select groups.  When you employ exaggerated, over-dramatic language to characterize an issue, as for instance, when you said, “We’re so politically correct, that this country is falling apart,” you merely serve to exacerbate the issue.

Interfaith Alliance’s work is driven by the fundamental principle that protecting religious freedom is most critical in times of crisis and controversy.  Even the most basic knowledge of the history of the First Amendment includes the understanding that religious freedom exists in part to protect the rights of the minority from what Alexis de Tocqueville not unrealistically called the tyranny of the majority.  In fact, it would not be a stretch to say that if our Founding Fathers had relied on polling data, the First Amendment might not exist at all.  Unfortunately, in today’s political climate, it may not ensure an “electoral win” to defend the rights of the American Muslim community, but there is no question that it is the right thing to do.

I hope that, if you choose to run for president – as well as in your private life – you would uphold the religious freedom of all Americans to believe in or to reject any religious faith, as they choose.  This freedom is an integral part of American democracy and promised by the First Amendment to our Constitution.  I hope that going forward you will look for opportunities to be part of the solution rather than the problem.  Winning an election is not worth destroying the private integrity of your personal beliefs or compromising our nation’s historic commitment to religious freedom.

Our guide for candidates can be found at www.interfaithalliance.org/elections.  You might find it useful.

Sincerely,

C. Welton Gaddy

P.S. Neither a candidate for the presidency nor a President of the United States is expected to be an authority on judging religions, but rather a leader for all people in the nation regardless of anyone’s religion or lack of religion.

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