Faith & Civic Life
We’re committed to honoring and protecting the right to vote, promoting confidence in election systems and outcomes, and encouraging peaceful and democratic engagement around voting and elections.
Vote is Sacred
For nearly 250 years, Americans of diverse identities have worked to build a more perfect union based on founding values and ideals rather than race, religion, nationality or creed. Building unity from diversity is also our story as members of the Vote Is Sacred Fellowship, convened by Interfaith America, for leaders of faith and conscience to encourage peaceful democratic engagement and social trust.
Vote is Sacred (VIS) is a national nonpartisan civic engagement initiative to honor and protect the right to vote, promote confidence in election systems and outcomes, and encourage peaceful and democratic engagement around voting and elections.
VIS seeks to spark a national conversation about how voting and civic participation is rooted in diverse faith traditions and bring to the forefront the practical ways those traditions and institutions can come together to protect our democracy. Anchored in the importance of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, the initiative will focus on activating the social capital within and between faith and civic communities to underscore the importance of the vote in a religiously diverse, participatory democracy.
Democracy in the United States is under pressure. Diminishing trust in institutions, increasing animosity across party lines, and deepening polarization undercut the health of democratic culture and discourage many Americans. Voter suppression and attempts to restrict access to the ballot box are an assault on our most basic rights as American citizens. Election denial and misinformation, from domestic and international agents, are political strategies meant to intimidate and undermine confidence in elections, results, and governing systems and structures. Denying the right to vote demonstrates our failure to acknowledge and embrace our shared humanity and is a barrier to creating and maintaining a flourishing diverse democracy. Civic and faith leaders and organizations have an invaluable role to play in protecting our democracy and strengthening social cohesion to promote a vibrant American civic life across social sectors.
In 2024, Interfaith America organized a cohort of religiously and politically diverse leaders to bolster commitments to democratic principles. This short video explains the impact of the fellowship.
For nearly 250 years, Americans of diverse identities have worked to build a more perfect union based on founding values and ideals rather than race, religion, nationality or creed. Building unity from diversity is also our story as members of the Vote Is Sacred Fellowship, convened by Interfaith America, for leaders of faith and conscience to encourage peaceful democratic engagement and social trust.
To find out more about how rising support for Christian nationalism among Hispanic Protestants illustrates key trends in Latino politics and religion, I spoke with Erica Ramirez and Eli Valentin, members of the Vote is Sacred Fellowship with Interfaith America, which brings together leaders from diverse religious and ideological backgrounds to promote peaceful democratic engagement.
Scroll through to meet the Vote is Sacred Fellows. Click on a fellow to learn more about them.
We invite you to read and watch these stories, feel inspired, and consider sharing your own.
Resource
Get accessible, actionable resources to support the 2024 election!
Please contact us with any questions about the Vote is Sacred program.
Scott Rasmussen
Democracy Initiatives Consultant
Interfaith America
Copyright @ 2024 Interfaith America. All Rights Reserved. Interfaith America is 501 (c)(3) non-profit recognized by the IRS. Tax ID Number: 30-0212534
