wfn.org | NCCCUSA GENERAL SECRETARY DISCUSSES POLITCAL ROLE

[CAROL_FOUKE.parti@ecunet.org (CAROL FOUKE)]

NCCCUSA General Secretary Discusses Political Role
National Council of the Churches of in the USA
Contact: Wendy McDowell, NCC, 212-870-2227
Internet: news@ncccusa.org

78NCCNA8/12/98              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NCC GENERAL SECRETARY TO CONVENE TWO UPSTATE NEW 
YORK DISCUSSIONS ON THE POLITICAL ROLE OF THE 
RELIGIOUS RIGHT
Aug. 19 in Corning, NY and Aug. 20 in Jamestown, NY

 NEW YORK, Aug. 12 ---- The Rev. Dr. Joan Brown 
Campbell, General Secretary of the National Council 
of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCCC), will 
convene a discussion in two upstate New York 
locations entitled  "Challenging the Political Role 
of the Religious Right."

 "After learning about the aggressive role the 
religious right is playing in the coming primary and 
election in the 31st Congressional District, I felt 
it was an opportune time to convene area clergy and 
church members to consider these tactics and call 
for integrity in the campaign and electoral 
process," Dr. Campbell said.  Dr. Campbell will be a 
guest at the Chautauqua Institution at that time for 
an NCCC senior staff retreat.

 The first discussion will be held Wednesday, 
August 19 at 4 p.m. at the First United Methodist 
Church in Corning, NY (144 Cedar Street at First); 
the second will be held Thursday, August 20 at 10 
a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Jamestown, 
NY (509 Prendergast Avenue).

 Each session will include a presentation, time 
for discussion and proposals for active public 
influence on the side of electoral integrity.  "One 
of the tactics used by the religious right is 
requesting churches to distribute campaign 
materials, which we feel clearly exploits religion," 
Dr. Campbell said.  "Such tactics imply that all 
Christians have a single point of view.  We believe 
in a pluralistic agenda with a variety of points of 
view.  Religion and religious people do not line up 
on any one political side.  This needs to be 
affirmed in the midst of every political campaign."

The pastors of the two local churches, Rev. 
Charles Hess (First United Methodist in Corning) and 
Rev. Tom Sweet (First Presbyterian Church, 
Jamestown), will serve as hosts.  The Rev. Dr. 
Welton C. Gaddy, a pastor and leader in the 
progressive wing of the Southern Baptist Convention 
and executive director of the Interfaith Alliance, 
will give a presentation at the discussions.

 The Interfaith Alliance is a national faith-
based organization with chapters in 35 states and 
over 30,000 members from more than 30 different 
faith communities.  Its mission is to draw on shared 
religious principles to promote the positive role of 
religion in public life, while challenging those who 
manipulate religion to push a partisan and 
destructive political agenda.  Dr. Campbell serves 
as a member of the Interfaith Alliance's Board of 
Directors.

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