Democracy Not Theocracy

Start: 2026-02-26 18:30:00 UTC Eastern Standard Time (US & Canada) (GMT-05:00)

End: 2026-02-26 20:00:00 UTC Eastern Standard Time (US & Canada) (GMT-05:00)

Event Type: Virtual
A virtual link will be communicated before the event.

A training on how to recognize and resist authoritarianism and White “Christian” Nationalism

Authoritarianism and White “Christian” Nationalism are closely linked and it’s up to us to expose that link and counteract it—for the good of our democracy and our faith. Because so-called “Christian” Nationalists and the authoritarian government they support threaten a foundation of our Constitution and our creed: belief in the sacred worth and equality of all people.

That’s why Maine Council of Churches and Multifaith Justice Maine are inviting you to attend this online training led by our national partners at Interfaith Alliance and get equipped to speak and act with the moral clarity this moment demands.

Adam Friedman of Interfaith Alliance who will lead this training says, “Faith communities have superpowers in this moment to make a real difference in unique ways. We will focus on showing what those superpowers are and how to activate them through interfaith nonviolent civil resistance.”

Adam and others from Interfaith Alliance will teach us how to refuse to cede ground to anti-democratic activists who think their “religious freedom” should be a license to hurt others. We’ll learn how to thwart their desire for social control, white supremacist beliefs, gleeful malevolence, and comfort with authoritarian violence.

At the end of the training, you’ll learn about next steps you can take right here in Maine, including a follow-up training that will be offered by Multifaith Justice Maine, a group led by Rev. Dr. Jodi Hayashida.

Because you believe authoritarianism is a spiritual crisis and betrays the divine call to love, justice, and humility, please join us for this important training. The Zoom link for this will be emailed to you prior to the start of the training.

About Interfaith Alliance

Interfaith Alliance is a network of people of diverse faiths and beliefs from across the United States working together to build a resilient democracy and fulfill America’s promise of religious freedom and civil rights not just for some, but for all. They mobilize powerful coalitions to challenge Christian nationalism and religious extremism, while fostering a better understanding of the healthy boundaries between religion and government. They advocate at all levels of government for an equitable and just America where the freedoms of belief and religious practice are protected, and where all persons are treated with dignity and have the opportunity to thrive.

About the trainer, Adam Friedman

Adam Friedman is the campaigns director at Interfaith Alliance, where he leads the anti-authoritarianism and elections work, and manages its federal democracy and voting rights work. Adam’s path into advocacy began in the Reform Jewish Youth Movement and grew through his co-founding of Team ENOUGH, the youth initiative of Brady United, where he also helped launch and lead the Lobbying Collective. Before joining Interfaith Alliance, he organized for political campaigns in Virginia, focusing on grassroots mobilization and civic engagement. He serves the Reform Movement as a member of the Commission on Social Action and holds degrees in political science and philosophy, with a focus on public policy, from The George Washington University. Outside of his work, he enjoys hiking, cooking, and spending time in nature with friends.