A Think Tank With Firepower:
When liberal Democratic Congressman Howard Berman of California
called her last September seeking counsel, Diane Knippers, president
of the conservative Institute on Religion and Democracy (I.R.D.),
knew that her organization had become a major force. Berman was upset
that the Presbyterian Church (USA) had voted to consider divesting
from some companies doing business in Israel to protest the country's
treatment of Palestinians. He wanted to confer with her because
I.R.D. had issued a report criticizing such decisions, which it saw
as singling out Israel while largely ignoring alleged serious
human-rights abuses by Saudi Arabia and North Korea. "It was
gratifying that he read and appreciated our work," says Knippers, 53.
On another front, she was among the conservative leaders who helped
persuade the Bush Administration to press for a cease-fire in the
Sudan civil war and an end to the oppression of Christians there. But
I.R.D., which receives major funding from the Ahmansons, can be a
divisive force as well. Its championing of conservative reforms
within more liberal Christian denominations has helped create deep
fissures in those bodies, especially concerning homosexuality.
"I.R.D.," says Randall Balmer, head of the religion department at
Barnard College, "is starting to have the kind of impact that think
tanks like the Heritage Foundation and the Brookings Institution
enjoy." Knippers should expect more calls from Capitol Hill.
