WASHINGTON, DC - In the face of mob violence and political insurrection, we as followers of Jesus are called to be peacemakers. He didn’t instruct us to merely be peace lovers who call for unity and healing, but rather to act; and do the things that make for peace. Faith leaders know, as Pope Paul VI said, “If you want peace, work for justice.”
President Donald Trump incited a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. His supporters invaded and desecrated the Capitol building, threatening the lives of all Capitol Hill personnel and members of Congress, and five people have now died. With Trump flags and Christian symbols, along with the Confederate flag, the violent mob forcefully attempted to stop the process of confirming the Electoral College vote. At Trump’s urging, this ceremonial event became the occasion for a violent attempted coup that turned the eyes of the world toward Washington. Thankfully due to the resilience and fortitude of many bi-partisan representatives, Congress was able to complete the presidential certification and this attempted coup failed.
Trump led his followers to seditious violence against our democratic institutions based on his continual lies about the outcome of the presidential election. And the underlying lie of all of Trump’s lies is that of white supremacy, which Trump has embraced since the beginning of his presidency.
Over the past four years, Trump has radicalized many of his followers, calling them to violence often fueled by white nationalism. The President of the United States has poisoned the minds and hearts of his supporters with his lies--painfully too many of them white Christians. Now, Trump’s supporters' objection to the rule of law and an opposition to an increasingly multiracial democracy has placed our nation in moral peril. With America’s demons on display, we must clearly see our original sin of racism and how it has been perpetuated and enabled by too many white Americans, white Christians, and white elected officials, including the current President of the United States.
First, there must not be silence from people of faith in the face of violent sedition. In the name of the truth that Jesus says can only set us free, and in the name of God who has created each of us in God’s own image, faith leaders across the country and across all of our religious traditions must condemn the violence of Trump’s followers and the sinful racism and nationalism that drove it.
Second, as faith leaders, we must also call for the immediate resignation or removal of Donald Trump from power, who we believe is fundamentally unfit for office and poses an immediate danger to our nation. There is great danger in the hands of a morally deranged president: the threat of martial law, his ongoing efforts to overturn a free and fair election, the potential of politically conceived war, the unique danger of his destructive hands on the nuclear codes, and more.
Third, we call upon the nation to prayer in these dangerous days. We believe we are at a turning point in which Christians and people of faith and conscience from all political persuasions must unite in prayer and action to ensure a peaceful transfer of power and commit ourselves to the hard but essential work of repair, healing, racial justice, and reconciliation. This will require a great deal of truth-telling and shared determination to root out a politics fueled by fear, lies, bigotry, and conspiracy theories that undermine truth and the common good.
Fourth, we must educate ourselves to act on the deep systems of institutionalized racism that this COVID pandemic has again revealed, the needed racial reckoning that our criminal justice system has exposed, and the recent violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol has made alarmingly clear. We, as faith leaders, are also committed to discipling white Christians out of racism, and into the Gospel mandate to love every neighbor as ourselves; learning and acting to eradicate every form of systemic racism, consistent with Christ’s love for all.
More is at stake now than politics. For Christians it’s increasingly a stark choice between theological integrity and the idolatry of white Christian nationalism in America.
Even with the inauguration of a new president and vice president on Jan. 20, it is imperative that all faith and civic leaders remain vigilant during Trump’s final weeks in office, particularly if he refuses to resign and cannot be removed. It is a time for deep and fervent prayer for our nation, and faithful action must always follow prayer.
Rev. Eddy Aleman, General Secretary, Reformed Church in America
Rev. Aundreia Alexander, Associate General Secretary for Action and Advocacy for Justice and Peace, National Council of Churches, USA
Bishop Carroll Baltimore, President/CEO, Global Alliance Interfaith Networks
Rev. David Beckmann, President Emeritus, Bread for the World
Rev. Traci Blackmon, Associate General Minister, United Church of Christ
Rev. Dr. Timothy Tee Boddie, Associate Minister, Alfred Street Baptist Church
Rev. Dr Amos C Brown, Race and political Advisor, National Baptist Convention USA, Inc
Rev. Walter Brueggemann, Professor, Columbia Theological Seminary
Rev. Jennifer Butler, CEO, Faith in Public Life
Rev. Gabriella Cahaley, Pastoral Counselor, Skyland Trail
Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, Executive Director, Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP)
Mr. Patrick Carolan, Director, Vote Common Good
Rev. Jenny Caughman, Pastor, Swedenborgian Church of North America
Rev. Richard Cizik, President, New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good
Mr. Shane Claiborne, Author and Activist, Red Letter Christians
Rev. Paula Clayton Dempsey, Director of Partnership Relations, Alliance of Baptists
Rev. Julie Conaron, Mrs, Swedenborgian Church of North America
Ms. Karen Conger, Secretary, The Swedenborgian Church of North America
Rev. Susannah Currie, Chair of the Council of Ministers, Swedenborgian Church of North America
Marie Dennis, Senior Advisor, Pax Christi International
Rev. Julian DeShazier, Pastor, University Church
Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer, General Minister and President, United Church of Christ
Rev. Dr. Bob Ekblad, Co-Founder and Senior Leader, Tierra Nueva and The People's Seminary
Rt. Rev. J. Christian Giesler Giesler, Director of Mission Engagement, Moravian Church, Northern Province
Rev. Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, General Secretary Emeritus, Reformed Church in America
Susan Gunn, Director, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
Reverend Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director, Reverend Jeffrey Haggray
Rev. Dr. Cynthia Hale, Senior Pastor, Ray of Hope Christian Church (DOC)
Rev. Sekinah Hamlin, Minister for Economic Justice, United Church of Christ
Rev. Dr. Richard Hamm, former General Minister and President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
The Rev. Herman Harmelink, Ecumenical Officer, International Council of Community Churches
Ms. Lisa Sharon Harper, President and Founder, Freedom Road, LLC
Rev. Fred Harrell, Sr. Pastor, City Church San Francisco
Rev. Dr. Peter Heltzel, Visiting Researcher, Boston University School of Theology
Rev. Dr. Katharine Henderson, President, Auburn Seminary
Rev. Mitchell Hescox, President/C.E.O., The Evangelical Environmental Network
Rev. Teresa Hord Owens, General Minister and President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the US and Canada
Sr. Quincy Howard, Sister, NETWORK
Rev. Dr. Joel C. Hunter, Faith Community Organizer, Community Resource Network
Hyepin Im, President and CEO, Faith and Community Empowerment
Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Kuan, President, Claremont School of Theology
Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, Senior Minister, Sanctuary
Rev. Michael Livingston, Interim Senior Minister , The Riverside Church, New York City
Pastor Mayra Macedo-Nolan, Board Chair, Christian Community Development Association
Rev. Carlos L. Malave, Executive Director, Christian Churches Together in the USA
Rev. Michael Mata, Pastor for Community Engagement, Los Angeles First Church of the Nazarene
Rev. Dr. Walter McCray, President, National Black Evangelical Association
Sr. Eilis McCulloh, Sister, Sisters of the Humility of Mary
Mr. Brian McLaren, Author, teacher, Center for Action and Contemplation, Auburn Senior Fellows
Noah Merrill, Secretary, New England Yearly Meeting of Friends (Quakers)
Bishop Darin Moore, Presiding Bishop, AME Zion Church
Mr. David Neff, editor in chief (retired), Christianity Today magazine
Dr. Mary Nelson, Founding Board member, Christian Community Development Association
Rev Doug Pagitt, Executive Director Vote Common Good, Vote Common Good
Rev. Dr. Sky Paradise-Lewallen, Chaplain, Goldenwest
Rev. Adam Phillips, Executive Director, Faith 2020
Bishop Lawrence Reddick, Senior Bishop, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Bishop Raymond Rivera, President & Senior Pastor, Latino Pastoral Action Center, Inc. & Sanctuary Church
Rev. Dr. Rob Schenck, President, The Dietrich Bonhoeffer Institute
Dr. Stephen Schneck, Executive Director, Franciscan Action Network
Mr. Yonce Shelton, Executive Director, Catholic Volunteer Network
Rev. Jane Siebert, President, Swedenborgian Church of North America, Swedenborgian
Rev. Dr. Becca Stevens, Chaplain , St Augustine
Rev. Ron Stief, Executive Director, National Religious Campaign Against Torture
Rev. Richard Tafel, Pastor, Church of the Holy City Washington DC, Swedenborgian
Rev. Adam Russell Taylor, President, Sojourners
Sr. Emily TeKolste, Grassroots Mobilization Specialist, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice
Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, Associate General Minister, United Church of Christ
Ms. Nikki Toyama-Szeto, Executive Director, Christians for Social Action
Rev. Sandra Maria Van Opstal, Executive Director , Chasing Justice
Rev. Jim Wallis, Founder and Ambassador, Sojourners
Rev. Dr Sharon Watkins, Minister, Bethany Memorial Church
Pastor Colin Watson, Executive Director, Christian Reformed Church in North America
Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner, Co-Convener, Skinner Leadership Institute
Bishop Will Willimon, Bishop, Duke Divinity School
Minister Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove , Director, School for Conversion
Mr. James Winkler, President, National Council of Churches
Sr. Carol Zinn, SSJ, Executive Director, Leaderships Conference of Women Religious
Mr Johnny Zokovitch, Executive Director, Pax Christi USA