WASHINGTON (ABP) — More than 50 religious leaders signed an open letter to Congress urging a time of national "soul searching" following the recent tragedy in Tucson that included an attack on a member of the House of Representatives.
Prominent faith leaders including Richard Cizik of the New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good, Florida mega-church pastor Pastor Joel Hunter and Bishop T.D. Jakes of The Potter's House released the letter in a full-page ad in the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call.
Doctors say Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is doing remarkably well recovering from her attempted assassination by suspected shooter Jared Lee Loughner, but they don't yet know long-term effects of brain trauma she suffered after being shot in the head at close range.
|
The faith leaders said they are praying for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) as she fights for her life. Doctors said Jan. 14 that five days after being shot in the head at close range she was able to keep her eyes open for 15 minutes and move her legs and hands. CNN reported that her breathing tube could be removed on Friday.
"This tragedy has spurred a sorely needed time of soul searching and national public dialogue about violent and vitriolic political rhetoric," the letter continued. "We strongly support this reflection, as we are deeply troubled that rancor, threats and incivility have become commonplace in our public debates."
The signers urged members of Congress to "serve as stewards of our democracy by engaging ideological adversaries not as enemies, but as fellow Americans" and pledged to do their part "to foster an environment conducive to the important and difficult debates so crucial to American democracy."
"In our churches, mosques and synagogues, we come together not as members of a certain political ideology or party, but as children of God and citizens called to build a more perfect union," the letter said. "We pray that you do the same."
Other prominent signers included author and activist Brian McClaren, Michael Kinnamon of the National Council of Churches and Jim Wallis, president and CEO of Sojourners.
Baptists signing the letter included Carroll Baltimore, president of the Progressive National Baptist Convention; Derrick Harkins, senior pastor of Nineteenth Street Baptist Church in Washington; Walter Parrish, general secretary of the Progressive National Baptist Convention; William Shaw, immediate past president of the National Baptist Convention USA; DeWitt Smith, immediate past president of the Progressive National Baptist Convention and Stephen Thurston, president, National Baptist Convention of America.
David Gushee, a Baptist who writes a regular column for Associated Baptist Press, signed on in his capacity as board chair of the New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good. Gushee is distinguished university professor of Christian ethics at Baptist-affiliated Mercer University, where he teaches in the McAfee School of Theology,
-30-
Bob Allen is senior writer for Associated Baptist Press.