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Former Obama Campaign Official Joins Organization
May 13, 2010
Faith In America is very excited and fortunate to announce that Steven Hildebrand has joined the organization as adviser and strategist.
Hildebrand, who served as deputy campaign manager for the Obama campaign, will be assisting us in the areas of strategic planning as we move to broaden our outreach and impact. His talent and experience in organizational development and strategic planning are tremendous assets as we position the organization to exert leadership in efforts to end the harm caused by religion-based bigotry and hostility toward our community.
Here's Steve's own words talking about his decision:
In the research I’ve seen and the experiences I’ve had in politics, I believe we will win more battles if we can beat back those who use religion as an excuse to keep us from achieving full equality. Politicians use religion to mask their support or opposition to key legislation. Voters use religion to say it’s okay to deny marriage and adoption rights to gay people. And some religious leaders and conservative pundits use religion to attack LGBT folks as immoral.
I believe we can reduce religion-based bigotry by taking this conversation of hate and discrimination directly to them, letting them know of the tremendous harm they are causing people, especially our youth.
Every time we try to get a voter who opposes marriage to switch their support our way, most use their religion or their fear that gay marriage will be taught to their children in schools. The opposition to teaching children in schools is most often based on their religious views. That has led me to believe that reducing religion-based bigotry towards gay people will help us win these important battles. Until we get beyond religion, we will continue to struggle.
The programs and dialogue developed by Faith in America are compelling. We will not change every mind. This is a war we have to win before we can win each of the battles.
I grew up the youngest of nine in a very Catholic family, attending Catholic schools and never missing Sunday mass. I had a great upbringing in a church that didn’t preach hatred against gay people. But the Catholic Church has changed dramatically and is one of the worst abusers in their bigotry and discrimination towards gay people.
I don’t belong to the church anymore – not because of who I am, but because of who they are. I don’t feel guilty. I feel right. I know that God is on my side and on the side of all people, no matter who they are. Because people are born with their sexuality, I firmly believe they are born in God’s eyes with God’s blessing for a good life. That is one of the things we need to convince more people of. And it’s a big reason I joined Mitchell Gold at Faith in America.
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