From: The Rev. Clem T. Davis, the Rev. Tonja M. Gerady and the Rev. Felipe N. Martinez
Columbus
We, the undersigned, are deeply aggrieved to hear the steady stream of racist and xenophobic rhetoric that has been coming from the White House and other national and community voices.
So often it is reported that Christians are in support of this kind of hateful commentary, as though Christians are all of one mind. In fact, there is a wide spectrum of Christian thought, and we couldn’t disagree more with this divisive rhetoric.
It is our strong conviction that all persons have equal worth and value; all persons are loved equally by God. As faith leaders in Columbus and Bartholomew County, we denounce all forms of racism and xenophobia, all forms of hatred and exclusion, all forms of discrimination and oppression.
We stand alongside racial and ethnic minorities, with many languages and cultures, immigrants and refugees, and those from countries that are predominantly brown and black. We stand alongside all people who have been marginalized. Central to our Christian faith is that we should follow Christ’s command: “Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)
We want the community to know that there are faith communities here that are actively working to eliminate all forms of oppression, and who welcome all people with open arms.
