|
Washington, D.C. -- Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) today hosted a “D.C. Day” for religious leaders from Central New Jersey. The event comes as debate in Congress continues over the role of religion in politics, and vice versa.
“I’m delighted to welcome so many men and women of faith to Washington for this gathering,” said Holt. “While we can debate where the line between church and state should be drawn, there’s no dispute about the importance of the issues raised by exchanges like this one.”
Attending the day-long event were 40 spiritual and political leaders from across central New Jersey and the United States representing many faiths and religious organizations, including, among others, the Crossroads Christian Academy, Catholic Charities, East Windsor Institute of Islamic Studies, Living Hope Church, Masjid As-Saffit (Trenton), Masjidut Taqwa (Trenton), Mercer Christian Academy, Mill Hill Church of God, New Holy Cross Church, NJ Catholic Conference, NJ Commission on Civil Rights, Dept. of Law & Public Safety, NJ Department of Human Services, The Crisis Ministry of Princeton and Trenton, Princeton Theological Seminary, Islamic Center of Ewing, Chabad House-Lubavitch, New Brunswick Islamic Community, St. Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church, The Islamic Society Of Central Jersey, Jewish Congregation of Concordia, Colts Neck Reformed Church, and the Islamic Society of Monmouth County.
Attendees heard presentations on major issues with faith implications, such as immigration, post-Katrina relief needs, and urgent international problems, such as the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan. Traditional issues—such as the separation of church and state, as well as religious pluralism and diversity issues in the workplace—were also covered.
Holt called for united, interfaith action and understanding to confront some of major challenges before America.
“If we claim to be true to our common heritage, we can neither abandon the victims of Katrina or the people of Darfur,” said Holt. “We have a moral obligation to help those who are hurting. Our actions, not our words or our thoughts, will determine how we are judged.”
### |
|
