My "left wing" christian group is asking that we all stand behind

[Joe for Clark]

the new muslim congressman. Following is cut and pasite:

Interfaith Call for Reconciliation in Congress

Dear Joe:



Last month a very ugly thing happened to Keith Ellison on his way to Washington. Ellison, the newly elected member of the U.S. House of Representatives and a Muslim, became the target of some unfortunate religious bigotry by incumbent Virgil Goode (R-VA) in a letter that stated, among other things,

"I fear that in the next century we will have many more Muslims in the United States if we do not adopt the strict immigration policies..." He also wrote, "When I raise my hand to take the oath on Swearing In Day, I will have the Bible in my other hand. I do not subscribe to using the Qur'an in any way."

Despite strident criticism, Goode has refused to apologize for his inflammatory remarks.

Several religious leaders, including our friend and colleague Dr. George Hunsinger of Princeton Theological Seminary, have drafted a statement calling for Mr. Goode to apologize.

Please read and sign this statement below.

On this historic day in Washington, which is bright with the promise of bipartisan cooperation, and energized by a renewed commitment to serving all Americans, let us as persons of faith and conscience stand together for our nation's ideals of diversity, religious freedom, and cooperation.

On a personal note, there is a distinct rumbling beneath my feet as I write this. I am not in DC today, but at my home office in Charlottesville, VA, the district represented by Virgil Goode. It is also the home of Thomas Jefferson, and yes, the rumbling is very likely that of Jefferson turning over in his grave. Jefferson's commitment to diversity of thought and religious liberty are legendary. Know that when you have signed this petition, I will deliver it to Mr. Goode personally, as I join with other religious leaders in inviting Mr. Goode to visit a mosque as a first step in healing this divide and looking forward together.

After you have signed the statement, please send this email to as many friends and colleagues as possible.

Blessings to you,


Vince Isner and the FaithfulAmerica.org Team

PS: You will be pleased to know that today Representative Ellison did use the Qur'an at his unofficial swearing-in: the Qur'an that belonged to Thomas Jefferson! The ground underfoot has quieted a bit...



Anyway, I ask you to sign the petition. These are the "left wing christians" and like I said, there are A LOT of us.

Joe

[thereismore]

1. where is the petition to sign? nt

[Joe for Clark]

3. That would help, huh.

sign up for FaithfulAmerica

If that doesn't work - and I am not so swift at copying emails

Its- www.faithfulamerica.org

I don't think I can get it wrong twice in one post - so one should work - if it doesn't can someone fix it??

Joe

[kevinbgoode]

2. Republicans really do hate the concept of Freedom of Religion

don't they? Isn't it rather ironic that the party of the free market doesn't believe in competition of market choices for spiritual beliefs?

[Joe for Clark]

4. Does this work better as a short cut to the petition??

http://ga3.org/campaign/reconcile?rk=21LUvop1kEidE

Joe

[eagler]

14. Is n'tthat kinda like saying

all muslims are terrorists?

[NMMNG]

15. They believe very much in Freedom of Religion

But only for their religion.

[AnnieBW]

5. This Pagan Infidel Is Behind Him 100%!

n/t

[Minnesota_Lib]

6. This atheist is behind him 100% - Hell, I voted for him.

[Joe for Clark]

7. We are all on the same page here.

Joe

[Minnesota_Lib]

8. You bet. This has been such a great way to start the new year.

:toast: :toast:

[Joe for Clark]

9. It sure has been that.

Best to you Minnesota!!!

Joe

[Joe for Clark]

10. Cross posted from the other thread I started

(You can take that into consideration when you read it)


Joe

Oh, no doubt in my mind St Augistine would freak out
at the notion of a christian right - and I use those words loosely.

The frame of mind - christian - has nothing to do at all with your church attendance -

People that measure it in such ways, inherently have this problem.

If you cannot look at the people in your life and "judge" the least among you as your brother, then you violate a precept of the faith.

Are the rebublicans christians? - they may think so - Their judgement doesn't count, however.

What did Jesus say - you should judge the tree by the fruit it bares -

Makes total sense to me.

Joe

[sinkingfeeling]

11. Not a 'christian', but signed the petition.

[jarnocan]

12. thanks Mr. Ellison sounded so nice on TV- I am ashamed of those

hateful hypocrits that spoke out against him based on his sincere and honorable faith. I wish him well, I think this is a very good thing for our country, and if harm comes to him because of this hatefulnees -how horrible that would be. We are suppose to be a civilized and democractic society.

[Homer Wells]

13. Attempting to force Ellison to swear on the Bible

is the same as forcing Robert Byrd (our Senator here in WV) to use the Koran for the same purpose.

They are using the symbol of their faith as a token of their commitment to the office and duties they are entering.



They could just as easily swear an oath on their children's lives.

Our "Christists" are totally out of bounds on this one.

IMHO

:wtf: