CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. H. George Anderson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), joined more than 100 religious leaders of major faith groups in the United States -- including Christian, Jewish and Muslim -- in releasing a comprehensive statement on terrorism that recommends a "resolute response guided by the wisdom of religious faith."
In the statement, "Deny Them Their Victory: A Religious Response to Terrorism," religious leaders offer words of consolation to the families of the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the eastern United States: "We must find a word of consolation for the untold pain and suffering of our people." It adds that "houses of worship should become public arenas for common prayer, community discussion, eventual healing and forgiveness."
Religious leaders also offered a "word of sober restraint" as the nation discerns what its responses will be. "We share the anger toward those who so callously and massively destroy innocent lives, no matter what the grievances invoked. In the name of God, we too demand that those responsible for these utterly evil acts be found and brought to justice. Those culpable must not escape accountability. But we must not, out of anger and vengeance, indiscriminately retaliate in ways that bring on even more loss of innocent life."
"We can deny them [the terrorists] their victory by refusing to submit to a world created in their image," the signers said, adding, "We must not allow this terror to drive us away from being the people God has called us to be." And, "America must be a safe place for all our citizens in all their diversity."
Terming the aftermath of the attacks a "test of national character," the statement calls for citizens to rededicate themselves to "global peace, human dignity, and the eradication of injustice that breeds rage and vengeance."
Signers, who gave their personal endorsement, include the heads of denominations, national and regional religious organizations and "para- church" groups; local pastors and rabbis; and theologians and professors from all parts of the nation. - - - The statement is available at http://www.ncccusa.org/news/interfaithstatement.html on the Web.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
