Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Deny Them Their Victory: A Religious Response to Terrorism
churchworldservice.org ^ | 9/2001 | fellow Christians

Posted on 09/23/2001 3:47:59 PM PDT by American72

MORE THAN 200 HAVE NOW SIGNED INTERFAITH “RESPONSE TO TERRORISM”

September 14, 2001 - Now numbering more than 200, a broad spectrum of the U.S. religious community, including Evangelical, Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant Christians -- as well as Muslim and Jewish leaders -- have joined their signatures to the interfaith statement “Deny Them Their Victory: A Religious Response to Terrorism.” The breadth of participation has made the document one of the most inclusive religious statements ever released.

Signers, who gave their personal endorsement, include the heads of denominations, national and regional religious organizations and parachurch groups; local pastors and rabbis; and theologians and professors from all parts of the nation.

The statement offers words of consolation to the families of the victims, and an appeal for “sober restraint” to citizens reeling in the wake of Tuesday’s terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, DC; and the related crash of a hijacked jetliner
in Pennsylvania. “Let us deny them (the terrorists) their victory by refusing to submit to a world created in their image,” the signers argue, adding: “We must not allow this terror to drive us away from being the people God has called us to be.” The message also warns that innocent Americans who share the terrorists’ ethnicity, national origin or religion should be protected from indiscriminate reprisal or acts of violence. Terming the aftermath of the attacks a “test of national character,” the statement calls for citizens to rededicate themselves to the vision of “community, tolerance, compassion, justice, and the sacredness of human life, which lies at the heart of all our religious traditions.” The document was developed in consultation with Jewish, Muslim and Christian clergy, and circulated for signature by The Rev. Jim Wallis, Call to Renewal and Sojourners; Dr. Robert W. Edgar, National Council of Churches; The Rev.Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, Reformed Church of America; Rabbi David Saperstein, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism; and Dr. Ron Sider, Evangelicals for Social Action. They invited others to join them in personally endorsing the document, and more than 100 responded within the first 24 hours. By 4 p.m. Friday, September 14, more than 200 had signed.

The full text and updated list of signers follows:

____________________________________________

DENY THEM THEIR VICTORY:
A RELIGIOUS RESPONSE TO TERRORISM

We, American religious leaders, share the broken hearts of our fellow citizens. The worst terrorist attack in history that assaulted New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, has been felt in every American community. Each life lost was of unique and sacred value in the eyes of God, and the connections Americans feel to those lives run very deep. In the face of such a cruel catastrophe, it is a time to look to God and to each other for the strength we need and the response we will make. We must dig deep to the roots of our faith for sustenance, solace, and wisdom.

First, we must find a word of consolation for the untold pain and suffering of our people. Our congregations will offer their practical and pastoral resources to bind up the wounds of the nation. We can become safe places to weep and secure places to begin rebuilding our shattered lives and communities. Our houses of worship should become public arenas for common prayer, community discussion, eventual healing, and forgiveness.

Second, we offer a word of sober restraint as our nation discerns what its response will be. We share the deep anger toward those who so callously and massively destroy innocent lives, no matter what the grievances or injustices 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 pray that President Bush and members of Congress will seek the wisdom of God as they decide upon the appropriate response.

Third, we face deep and profound questions of what this attack on America will do to us as a nation. The terrorists have offered us a stark view of the world they would create, where the remedy to every human grievance and injustice is a resort to the random and cowardly violence of revenge - even against the most innocent. Having taken thousands of our lives, attacked our national symbols, forced our political leaders to flee their chambers of governance, disrupted our work and families, and struck fear into the hearts of our children, the terrorists must feel victorious.

But we can deny them their victory by refusing to submit to a world created in their image. Terrorism inflicts not only death and destruction but also emotional oppression to further its aims. We must not allow this terror to drive us away from being the people God has called us to be. We assert the vision of community, tolerance, compassion, justice, and the sacredness of human life, which lies at the heart of all our religious traditions. America must be a safe place for all our citizens in all their diversity. It is especially important that our citizens who share national origins, ethnicity, or religion with whoever attacked us are, themselves, protected among us.

Our American illusion of invulnerability has been shattered. From now on, we will look at the world in a different way, and this attack on our life as a nation will become a test of our national character. Let us make the right choices in this crisis - to pray, act, and unite against the bitter fruits of division, hatred, and violence. Let us rededicate ourselves to global peace, human dignity, and the eradication of injustice that breeds rage and vengeance.

As we gather in our houses of worship, let us begin a process of seeking the healing and grace of God.
____________________________________

SIGNERS
Endorsements are personal; organizations are listed for identification only.



TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-29 next last
But we must not, out of anger and vengeance, indiscriminately retaliate in ways that bring on even more loss of innocent life.

What is the deal with these people? This is like this morning our pastor (Lutheran) did not say one single prayer for our country, our president, or our military. He prayed that we all have "forgiveness in our hearts" and not "rush to vengeance." I am ready to find a new church.

1 posted on 09/23/2001 3:47:59 PM PDT by American72
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: American72
Or get rid of that limp preacher!

What is up with these puds?

2 posted on 09/23/2001 3:52:55 PM PDT by lodwick (Let's Roll!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: American72
Maybe your minister reads his New Testament and takes Christ's words seriously.
3 posted on 09/23/2001 3:53:03 PM PDT by Jim the Just
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jim the Just
Imagine being named John Taroanui Doom!

But seriously, I don't really have much of a kick against this letter. Essentially, it says find those responsible and bring them to justice, but don't just go blowing up whole countries in search of payback. Makes sense to me...

4 posted on 09/23/2001 4:03:07 PM PDT by ArcLight
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Jim the Just
I agree with "pray for your enemies" and "forgive your enemies" but I don't agree with being unrealistic in thinking that prayer alone and "restraint" will solve this problem. These people will stop at nothing to kill us all - it has unfortunately come to "kill or be killed." It is time to step up to the plate and defend ourselves and defend our freedom. And I don't think that's being "un-Christian."
5 posted on 09/23/2001 4:12:33 PM PDT by American72
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: American72
I attended a Missouri Synod Lutheran Church this morning and the pastor DID pray for our leadership. It sounds like you attended a liberal ELCA church.
6 posted on 09/23/2001 4:15:58 PM PDT by NoControllingLegalAuthority
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: American72
200? Gosh, I am so relieved, we shall once again have "peace in our time".
7 posted on 09/23/2001 4:16:37 PM PDT by garyhope
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NoControllingLegalAuthority
liberal ELCA church

You are correct. The only reason we attend is because my husband's family (sister, bro-in-law, and father) attend. Missouri Synod is looking really good.

8 posted on 09/23/2001 4:22:53 PM PDT by American72
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: garyhope
Well if they performed duty as Sky Pilots I might actually respect them, but until I see how they have served their faith, I don't think I will cheer them on.
9 posted on 09/23/2001 4:23:03 PM PDT by dts32041
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: American72
I agree with these folks, "revenge is a dish, best served cold". Now let's go kick some a$$, and make a little global peace!
10 posted on 09/23/2001 4:23:44 PM PDT by TheDon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: American72
any list with that many ministerettes on it has to be a bunch of leftwing nuts. Ignore.
11 posted on 09/23/2001 4:25:11 PM PDT by Temple Drake
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Temple Drake
"DENY THEM THEIR VICTORY: A RELIGIOUS RESPONSE TO TERRORISM"

I agree.
After we have killed the bastards, we shall pray over them.
Semper Fi

12 posted on 09/23/2001 4:45:00 PM PDT by river rat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

Comment #13 Removed by Moderator

To: American72
The only reason my minister isn't on here is because he hasn't heard about it yet.
14 posted on 09/23/2001 4:59:47 PM PDT by Ditter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: river rat
A Religious Response to Terrorists.

According to the Holy Koran, one will enter Paradise in the same physical form as you leave Earth.
The Holy Koran also says that one will be denied entrance into Paradise if one is corrupted with the "flesh and blood of the swine."
They also require burial within 24hrs of death.

Thus, before we kill the bastards - we will...

Cut off their Balls,

cut off their ears,

cut off their noses,

cut out their tounges,

hit them in the kneecaps with a sledgehammer - Manhatten Sytle,

hyperextend their arms - backwards,

cover their head in BACON,

shoot them in the head with a pork fat lubricated silver hollow-tipped bullet.

Then we'll impale them on a stick in a pig stye for at least 48 hours.

Then we'll bury them in Pig Poop.

Then we'll pray that God gives them an E-Ticket to Hell.

That's my kind of religious response.

Semper Fi

15 posted on 09/23/2001 5:28:36 PM PDT by PokeyJoe
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: PokeyJoe
And that's why YOU never get voted 'Miss Congeniality'.
16 posted on 09/23/2001 5:51:43 PM PDT by headsonpikes
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: headsonpikes
Nope.

Tuefelhunden.

17 posted on 09/23/2001 5:59:26 PM PDT by PokeyJoe
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: PokeyJoe
In a pig's eye, you forgot the oink.
18 posted on 09/23/2001 6:01:23 PM PDT by dts32041
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: dts32041
Well, at least I don't lay eggs like you. =)

Semper Fi

19 posted on 09/23/2001 6:15:10 PM PDT by PokeyJoe
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: PokeyJoe
</marquee up></marquee up></marquee up></marquee up> Fix -and could someone point out the limp Eastern Orthdox among all the girls and girly men so-called Christians?
20 posted on 09/23/2001 6:26:07 PM PDT by don-o
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-29 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson