Unite after election, says US church leader

-10/11/04

Reacting to the re-election of Ge


Unite after election, says US church leader

-10/11/04

Reacting to the re-election of George W. Bush as US president, the head of the ecumenical body that provides an umbrella for millions of American Christians has re-affirmed the need ëto unite the nation in the cause of justice and peace.í

Calling on the churches to pray for both the new administration and the nation, Dr Robert Edgar, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches USA, said that the country was divided ënot only politically, but in terms of our interpretations of God’s will.í

He went on: ëRegardless of who leads our country, the agenda of the church must always respond faithfully to the Bible’s timeless mandate to minister to the poor, the marginalized and the outcast; and to be seekers and makers of peace.í

ëIn this quest for the common good,í said Dr Edgar, ëwe will contribute to the healing of the nation, and of the family of nations.í

NCCUSA, a fellowship of 36 Protestant, Anglican and Orthodox Churches numbering 49 million people across 100,000 local congregations, issued a ten point statement of Christian concerns in the run up to the election on 2 November.

This stressed biblical emphases on peacemaking, the sharing of wealth, the integrity of creation, human dignity, reverence for life, responsible leadership, care for the sick and the stranger, restorative justice and care for children.

However the religious right, who campaigned vigorously against homosexuality and abortion, effectively cornered the ëmoral agendaí throughout the election.

Polling evidence suggests that the much broader Christian agenda supported by mainline church leaderships did not sway many grassroots believers in their congregations.


Unite after election, says US church leader

-10/11/04

Reacting to the re-election of George W. Bush as US president, the head of the ecumenical body that provides an umbrella for millions of American Christians has re-affirmed the need ëto unite the nation in the cause of justice and peace.í

Calling on the churches to pray for both the new administration and the nation, Dr Robert Edgar, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches USA, said that the country was divided ënot only politically, but in terms of our interpretations of God’s will.í

He went on: ëRegardless of who leads our country, the agenda of the church must always respond faithfully to the Bible’s timeless mandate to minister to the poor, the marginalized and the outcast; and to be seekers and makers of peace.í

ëIn this quest for the common good,í said Dr Edgar, ëwe will contribute to the healing of the nation, and of the family of nations.í

NCCUSA, a fellowship of 36 Protestant, Anglican and Orthodox Churches numbering 49 million people across 100,000 local congregations, issued a ten point statement of Christian concerns in the run up to the election on 2 November.

This stressed biblical emphases on peacemaking, the sharing of wealth, the integrity of creation, human dignity, reverence for life, responsible leadership, care for the sick and the stranger, restorative justice and care for children.

However the religious right, who campaigned vigorously against homosexuality and abortion, effectively cornered the ëmoral agendaí throughout the election.

Polling evidence suggests that the much broader Christian agenda supported by mainline church leaderships did not sway many grassroots believers in their congregations.