[3][4] The organization also challenges what it perceives as the misuse of religion by political conservatives and the anti-religious attitudes of many liberals.

[5] In the international sphere, the NSP seeks to foster inter-religious understanding and work for social justice.

The NSP was founded in 2005 by Rabbi Michael Lerner, who served as co-director of the organization with Cornel West and Sister Joan Chittister.

[6] More than 1,200 activists attended each of the group's conferences in Berkeley, California (July 2005) and Washington, D.C. (May 2006).

As of December 2007, the NSP had chapters in 31 states as well as Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Melbourne, Australia; and in Costa Rica.