Reclaim Religious Liberty
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Reclaim Religious Liberty Religious liberty is a bedrock value and a foundational principle of a democratic society. As Christian leaders from evangelical, Catholic, mainline Protestant, Mormon and other traditions, we stand together committed to finding a path that affirms everyone’s right to follow the teachings of their faith while treating others as we would like to be treated. We affirm respect for religious conscience and also protect the human rights of all people. Today, some of our fellow Americans—from lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to Muslims—are not being treated with the dignity and respect they deserve as children of God. Our faith calls us to speak out against this injustice. Jesus teaches us to love our neighbors as ourselves and our families and neighbors include LGBT people. While we hold different theological beliefs about the definition of marriage, we are united in our firm conviction that LGBT people should be treated fairly and equally. Religious freedom should never be used as a justification for discrimination. We are all God’s children and that includes our Muslim neighbors who are often demonized in the media, the streets and the halls of power. As Christians, we must defend the religious liberty of all people, not just those who pray the same way we do. We are committed to defusing a toxic political and cultural climate that leaves religious minorities living in a state of fear. As our nation becomes more diverse, some of our fellow Christians embrace a rhetoric of persecution and claim that people of faith are under attack. The First Amendment of the Constitution firmly protects our freedom of religion. While Christians in the Middle East and other volatile areas often confront violent persecution because of their beliefs, we are blessed to live our faith openly and freely. In the United States, legal and policy debates over religious freedom are real and often complex, but to claim that Christians in our country are under attack dishonors the lives of Christians around the world who face true persecution. We urge fellow Christian leaders, elected officials and all citizens of goodwill to refrain from politicizing religious liberty and to help reclaim it as a shared value and principle. Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza (retired) Former President, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Galveston, TX Archbishop William Skylstad Former President, U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops Spokane, WA Bishop Gene Robinson Washington, DC Rev. Dr. Brian McLaren Convergenceus.org Marco Island, FL Eli McCarthy Georgetown University Takoma Park, MD Sister Simone Campbell Executive Director, NETWORK Washington, DC Rev. Jimmie Hawkins PC (USA) Office of Public Witness Washington, DC Patrick Carolan Franciscan Action Network Bridgeport, CT Rev. Jennifer Butler Faith in Public Life Washington, DC Rev. Dr. Sharon Stanley-Rea Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Refugee & Immigration Ministries Washington, DC Mr. Jim Winkler United Methodist Church Washington, DC Dr Bryan N. Massingale Fordham University Bronx, NY Sr. Ann Scholz Leadership Conference of Women Religious Towson, MD Rev. Grace Burson Episcopalian Nashua, NH Brother Michael Potvin-Frost Order of Franciscan Hermits Plattsburgh, NY Rev. Cynthia Crowner PC (USA) Stroudsburg, PA Rev. Neil Cazares-Thomas Dallas, TX Sr. Germaine Hartle Lutherville, MD Joan Spero Lakewood, CO Rev. Julie Wilson Baltimore Washington UMC Board of Church and Society Frederick, MD Rev. Megan LeCluyse Presbyterian Philadelphia, PA Dennis Ritter Kutztown, PA Sr. Louise Nolta Northfield, IL Rev. Lynn Bozich Shetzer Presbyterian North Canton, OH Sister Kathleen Hebbeler Dominican Sisters of Hope Cincinnati, OH Rev. Timothy Black Atlanta, GA Rev. Dr. Donna S. Mote Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta Decatur, GA Rev. Patrick Hurley Pueblo, CO Jodi Golden-Lund Hanford, CA Rev. Richard Davis Lakewood, CO J George Reed North Carolina Council of Churches Raleigh, NC Rev. James Semmelroth Darnell Washington, DC Bishop Michael Sherbert Seward, NE Sr. Cecelia Lavan New Rochelle, NY Anne McCarthy, OSB Erie, PA Rev. Mary Louise Allen Ocean View, DE Rev. David Crosby Episcopalian Alexandria, VA Rev. Mark Lukens UCC East Rockaway, NY Peggy Hinds Lexington, KY Elder Robin Tracy Cottonwood Heights, UT Esther Anderson Aston, PA Norma Rocklage, osf Indianapolis, IN Alaire Willits Boxholm, IA Sandra Hutchinson Beverly, MA Sr. Kathleen White Lutherville, MD Mrs. Susan Leaver 1st Presbyterian Church of Elgin Elgin, IL Duane Brown Thetford Center, VT Theologian Amy Wyatt Seattle, WA Ms. Nancy E. Ellingham Newport Presbyterian Church Mercer Island, WA Rev. Anita L. Bradshaw Minneapolis, MN Sr. Esther Mc Egan San Francisco, CA Sr. Rosemary Davis Springfield, PA Rev. Kenneth Veazey Virginia Beach, VA Ms. Sally Mackey Burien, WA Scott Orr Greensboro, NC Rev. Barbara Peter Lake Forest, IL Rev. David Lewicki Decatur, GA Elder Bobbi Dauderman St Mark Presbyterian Newport Beach, CA Sr. RSM Diane Guerin Sisters of Mercy Merion, PA Lynn Rhodes UMC Claremont, CA Sr. Margaret Sikora Franciscan Srs of Atonement Garrison, NY Rev. Mark Schaefer United Methodist Washington, DC Sr. Florence Magnan CSA Monroe, WI Rev. Dominica LoBianco Ssters of St. Francis of Phila Aston, PA Deacon Michael Karban Ft Lauderdale, FL Ms. J. Venneman SCN's Nazareth, KY Kateri Mitchell Great Falls, MT Rev. Wendy Tsylor Lacey, WA Mr. Michael Gosch Catholic Chicago, IL Rev. James Conn United Methodist Church Santa Monica, CA Nan Kennedy Redeemer Episcopal Liberty Hill, TX Lee Anne Reat Columbus, OH Mr. Terry Barber Sacred Heart Lacey, WA Elizabeth Carpentier Alton, IL Thomas Christensen ELCA Meridian, ID Sr. M. RoseAnita Ramirez Pomona, CA Rev. Jennifer Marie Marcus, Esq. Bloomfield Township, MI Rev. John L. McCullough New York, NY Maria Luisa Vera Laredo, TX Deacon Catherine Costas Episcopalian Sausalito, CA Sr. Marie Lucey Hyattsville, MD Rev. Donna Jean Kiessling Smyrna, DE Rev. Diana Smith Missouri Conference, UMC (Elder on Leave) Washington, DC Debra Weber Cincinnati, OH Judi Edwards Seattle, WA Sister Teresa Hadro Sisters of Charity, BVM Dubuque, IA Theologian David Weiss Saint Paul, MN Rev. Dave Westphal Rev. Canal Winchester, OH Rev. John Gantt Greenwood, IN Sr. Marie McCarthy Sisters of Providence Silver Spring, MD Rev. Warren Lynn Indianapolis, IN Ms. J Angell Rescue, CA Deborah Tanksley-Brown UM Church of the Open Door West Chester, PA Dr. Richard Christensen East Petersburg, PA Dr. Paul Dodd Austin, TX Nancy Ellett Allison Christian Charlotte, NC Rev. Susan Lassalle Little Farms United Church of Christ Metairie, LA Ms. Margaret Bitz Fargo, ND Sr. Suzanne Gallagher Sisters of Mercy, Mid-Atlantic Merion, PA Sr. KC Young Catholic Seattle, WA Susan Thompson Presbyterian Church USA Stoughton, MA Sr. Johnelle Howanach Sisters Of Humility of Mary Great Falls, MT Sr. Karen Donahue, RSM Detroit, MI Sr. Joyce Kahle Bellarmine Chapel Dayton, OH Rev. Barbara Baxter Falconer, NY Barbara Barkley Concord, CA Honora Nicholson Sisters of Mercy Philadelphia, PA Paul Sherry South Euclid, OH Rev. Lee Carlile El Segundo, CA Sr. Petrina Marie Gault Enfield, CT Betsy Sowers Boston, MA Alice Maiers Cedar Rapids, IA Rev. Kit Wang York, ME Iva Gregory Seattle, WA Bebb Stone PC (USA) Nyack, NY Elder Michael Haines Linwood, NJ Ellen Cunningham Potterville, MI Rev. Donna Chavez Lees Summit, MO Rev. Harry Knox Metropolitan Community Churches Quitman, GA Clint Schnekloth Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Fayetteville, AR Philip Ott Milton, GA Deacon Allen Ohlstein Episcopalian Leavenworth, KS Rev. John Denmark Melbourne Beach, FL Doug Lagdon Alpharetta, GA Rev. Rick Klotz Lord of Life Lutheran Church Bluffton, SC Sister Doreen Glynn Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Latham, NY Matt Mardis-Lecroy Des Moines, IA Rev. Susanne Carter PC (USA) Cleveland, OH Sr. Marie Corr Dubuque, IA Sr. Germaine Conroy Dominican Sisters of Peace. Columbus, OH Rev. Matt Hall Haslet, TX Sr. Teresa Wolf Watertown, SD Sister Carren Herring Sisters of Mercy Cincinnati, OH Linda M. Eastwood Chicago, IL Rev. Dr. Harvey Jenkins Presbyterian (USA) Panama City Beach, FL Rev. Amelia Richardson Dress United Church of Christ Longmont, CO, CO Mr. Jason Miller Arlington, VA Rev. Richard Grinstad Port Angeles, WA Sister Arlene Kosmatka Plymouth, MI Sister Mary McMahon Philadelphia, PA Rev. Sherry Taylor United Church of Christ Plainfield,, NJ Linda McKiernan-Allen Indianapolis, IN Rev. Peter Scie Christ Temple Ministries Washington, DC Rev. Jonathan Barton Richmond, VA Rev. Dr. Fred Burnham Episcopal Priest Asheville, NC Sr. Mary McGarrity Mary McGarrity Runnemede, NJ Sister Janet Luecke Sisters of St. Francis Joliet, IL Elder Nancy Hughes New York, NY Nancy Jamroz Beaver Falls, PA Elder Betty C. Jones New York, NY Theologian Callid Keefe-Perry Cambridge, MA Dr. Rachel Budelsky Bellingham, WA Deacon Marcia Hunter Atlanta, GA Rev. Eleanor Terry Boston, MA Rev. Stephen Glauz-Todrank Los Gatos, CA William Coop Brunswick, ME Rev. Gayle Pickrell Santa Rosa, CA Rev. Sara Anderson Lutheran Willington, CT Rev. Marcia Tyriver Santa Rosa, CA Rev. David Hill Oberlin, OH Mr. Norman Wernet St Stephen's Episcopal Church and University Center Bexley, OH Rev. Alex Vishio UCC Baltimore, MD Rev. Pamela Griffith Pond Vallejo, CA Joyce Hardy Little Rock, AR Tamara Wilden United Methodist Delaware, OH Ms. Alexandra Ryan PC(USA) Washington, DC Jim Taylor Seguin, TX Rev. Susan Russell Episcopalian Pasadena, CA Ms. judy peterson Eagan, MN Peter Dakers Torrington, CT Theologian Nathan Williams Abilene, TX Valerie Mitchell Episcopalian Mobile, AL Rev. Katya Ouchakof Madison, WI Br. Brian McLauchlin Washington, DC Beverlee Bell Urbandale, IA Rev. Tiare Mathison Christian Seattle, WA Dr. John Elford University UMC Austin, TX Rev. Esther Irish Warren, RI Rev. Janet Abel Binghamton, NY Rev. Greg Walker Tacoma, WA Joan O'Donnell Millbrae, CA Rev. Amanda Gayle Reed Gooding United Methodist Church Gooding, ID Irene Senn West Allis, WI Rev. Mark Meeks PC (USA) Denver, CO Marvin Ellison Portland, ME Rev. Chris Mereschuk Northampton, MA Liz Hulme Adam Crozet, VA Julie Weckwerth Chicago, IL Michael Cooper Saint Leo, FL Rev. Beth Hamilton New Windsor, IL Michelle Scott-Huffman Jefferson City, MO Rev.