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-Since 1971
Interfaith Coalition
Plans Next Moves
Washington (JTA) — After
fairs, said the coalition will
backing landmark religious
be unable to reach a consen-
freedom legislation in Con-
sus on some issues, but will
gress, American groups rep-
consider breaking into
resenting different faiths
smaller groups on difficult
have discovered that work-
matters.
ing together can be an effec-
While the religious
tive exercise of political
freedom legislation involved
clout.
a beneficial change in the
And in light of the groups'
law for everyone, new issues
legislative success last year,
are not so uniformly ac-
members say there's more to
cepted, Mr. Walker said.
come.
Dr. Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad,
Three years ago, several
president of the Islamic-
major Jewish organizations
American Zakat Founda-
joined a coalition of more
tion, said that for the coali-
than 65 religious groups
tion to maintain its unifying
that advocated the legisla-
influence, "we will have to
tion, called the Religious
be selective about the issues
Freedom Restoration Act,
we pursue."
which President Clinton
In a panel discussion spon-
ceremoniously signed into
sored by the International
law in November.
Association of Jewish
As a result of this col-
Lawyers and Jurists and the
laborative effort, American
American Muslim Council,
religious groups found that,
representatives from Jew-
despite their many theologi-
ish, Christian and Muslim
cal differences, they can
groups talked about the co-
display some fierce political
alition's recent success.
prowess when working
"The coalition had an
together.
enormous impact" on the
"The coalition is an exam-
ple of the powerful role that
the religious community can
play when it is willing to put
its energy and resources
together," said Rabbi David
Saperstein, director of the
Religious Action Center of
Reform Judaism.
The group, called the Co-
alition for the Free Exercise
passage of the Religious
of Religion, plans to become
Freedom Restoration Act,
directly involved in the
said Rabbi Saperstein.
debates on several congres-
The coalition lobbied for
sional bills that address the
more than three years for
right to free exercise of re-
the law, which makes it
ligion.
harder for state govern-
One such bill would pro-
ments to infringe upon a
vide greater protection in
person's right.
the workplace for employees
At the White House sign-
making religious claims.
ing ceremony in November,
This so-called "religious
Mr. Clinton thanked the co-
accommodation" legislation,
alition for the "central role"
due to be introduced by the
it played in the legislation's
end of this month, is regard-
drafting and passage.
ed as important for obser-
"Our group really im-
vant Jews and members of
pressed members of Con-
other religious minorities
gress," Rabbi Saperstein
whose religious practices
said, adding that several
vary from the norms in the
members of Congress knew
workplace.
little about the bill.
Another bill would protect
Among the Jewish groups,
the religious practices of Na-
that joined the Coalition for
tive Americans, such as the
the Free Exercise of Religion
use of peyote in religious
are Agudath Israel of
ceremonies.
America, the American Jew-
The coalition will also ad-
ish Committee, the Ameri-
vocate that religious groups
can Jewish Congress, the
be exempt from regulations
- Anti-Defamation League,
requiring that organizations
B'nai B'rith, the Council of
make public disclosures of
Jewish Federations, the Na-
their lobbying activities.
tional Council of Jewish
Brent Walker, general
Women and the National
counsel for the Baptist
Jewish Community Rela-
Committee on Public Af-
tions Advisory Council. El
The coalition
impacted the
Religious Freedom
Restoration Act.