Interfaith Alliance Part of a ‘Changing Tide’ in Iowa

Conversations about religion and politics can heat up quickly. A seminar on Friday by the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa will give people a chance to share their opinions civilly and learn more about how the controversial subjects are connected.

“Crossroads: Meeting at the Intersection of Religion, Politics and Civility” will be held from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Aug. 17 at Waveland Hall, Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, 4126 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines.

The discussion, part of a monthly series, will explore the relationship between religion and the government from the time the United States Constitution was crafted through today, religious liberty, tolerance and how public officials and others can incorporate religious views into their public roles with integrity, organizers said. Audience participation is encouraged. A $5 donation is requested.

“It complements this political season so well,” said Heidi Bergeron, a Harvard Divinity School graduate student who will lead the discussion. “It gives people a chance to realize what values they want to see reflected in their political life. Is it just your own values or something larger that we can all focus on and agree on? At a time when our political differences are publicized and our religious differences are publicized; we are really aware of our differences right now.”Bergeron, who is from New Orleans, is an intern at the alliance. She is also creating an online study guide for high school teachers to use to spark conversations with students about religious liberty.

“The reason for this type of conversation is that people feel so fragmented right now,” she said.

Connie Ryan Terrell, executive director of the alliance, said it’s important overall for “progressive people of faith” to share their views in the public arena.

“The Religious Right is very good at being out there and getting their message out,” she said. “We want to balance that with a different view.”

Friday’s topic about religious freedoms is at the core of what the alliance is about, Ryan Terrell said. Past seminars have included progressive world views, anti-bullying legislation and immigration reform.

“If we can get anyone to have an ‘aha’ moment about how important religious freedom is in this country, then it’s worthwhile,” Ryan Terrell said.

Tackling such touchy subjects is nothing new for the 11-year-old Iowa chapter, which has 1,400 supporters. Its mission is “to promote the positive and healing role of religion in public life by encouraging civic participation, facilitating community activism and challenging political extremism based on religion.”

The alliance experienced its “most successful” year lobbying for change during the 2007 legislative session, Ryan Terrell said. The alliance, along with other groups, worked to secure passage of anti-bullying laws in schools, limit car title loan rates and increase the minimum wage, according to the group’s web site at www.iowatia.org. 

“It feels good that we can be a part of that changing tide in Iowa,” Ryan Terrell said.

And change can begin by a civil conversation. Ryan Terrell said she hopes people flock to Friday’s early morning seminar.

“We don’t have very many opportunities to have that combination of learning and discussion and learning to disagree. We are so often divisive in our opinions -we have to get in this camp or in that camp,” she said. “What Crossroads does is help people engage in that conversation and speak their minds and beliefs to others and to agree to disagree.”