Churches challenge US senate leader on ëanti-Christianí jibe
-20/04/05
The head of the ecumenical body that brings together major Protestant and Orthodox denominations encompassing nearly 50 million US Christians has called on the leader of the Senate majority to distance himself from a lobby being run by the religious right against people of faith who disagree with them politically.
ëWe are surprised and grieved by a campaign launched this week by the Family Research Council and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, who said that those who disagree with them on President Bushís judicial nominees are “against people of faith” ,í said National Council of Churches USA general secretary Bob Edgar.
He continued: ëThis campaign, which they are calling “Justice Sunday,” should properly be called “Just-Us” Sunday. Their attempt to impose on the entire country a narrow, exclusivist, private view of truth is a dangerous, divisive tactic. It serves to further polarize our nation, and it disenfranchises and demonizes good people of faith who hold political beliefs that differ from theirs.í
Dr Edgar said that ë[T]o brand any group of American citizens as “anti-Christian” simply because they differ on political issues runs counter to the values of both faith and democracy. It is especially disheartening when that accusation is aimed at fellow Christians. The National Council of Churches encompasses Ö a broad spectrum of theology and politics who work together on issues important to our society. If they disagree with Senator Frist’s political positions, are these 45 million Christians now considered “anti-Christian”?í
The NCC leader ended with a biblical plea to the Republican leader, and indirectly to President Bush and his administration, which in the eyes of many has pursued rigorously partisan public appointments since his re-election last year.
ëIn the spirit of 1 Timothy 6.3-5, we urge Senator Frist and the Family Research Council to reconsider their plan,í said the NCCUSA general secretary.
He added: ‘I will be praying for the Lord to minister to them and change their hearts so that they will not continue to take our nation down this destructive path.’