After the Islamic Center was defaced last year, a group of clergy signed a letter in support. Unfortunaelty hate still remains, so after the tragedy in Charlottesville recently, we came together again to denounce hate in our world.
To (Whom It May Concern),
The recent events in Charlottesville and around our country
serve as a reminder to all of us. Hate remains a plague on our world. We have
seen recent images in the news of hate groups inciting riots as they preach and
promote racism and Anti-Semitism, and it disturbs us greatly. These groups
promote a belief that they and people “like” them remain superior to those of
us they deem to be different or “inferior.” Whether they call themselves the
KKK, Neo-Nazis or go by some other moniker, we understand their goal is simply
to preach hate, nothing more, nothing less.
It’s unfortunate that we continue to live in a world with
such unbridled hatred. Yet, we know that there are so many more people in our
country who preach tolerance and respect as opposed to hate and malice. The
news sometimes gives us the impression that these groups dominate the
landscape, when in truth they remain the vocal minority. We, the vast majority
of the people the United State of America, then understand that the
responsibility to combat this unbridled hate rest with every single generation.
We, as clergy of Savannah, stand together and invite our
friends, family members, neighbors, and communities to denounce these hate
groups whenever possible. We invite everyone to contact your elected officials
and thank them when they denounce hate groups and encourage them to do so if
they haven’t already. Religious tradition teaches us, “You are not expected to
complete the task, but neither are you free to avoid it.” We must not avoid the
task of standing up to those who would promote hate. Until the day comes when
it no longer exists, we must support each other as we condemn the hate mongers
of our world. This is no room for racism or Anti-Semitism in our country today
or tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Clergy of the Savannah
Imam Ibrahim
'Abdul-Malik
Masjid Jihad
Reverend Michael Chaney
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Reverend Jan Durham
Asbury Memorial United Methodist
Church
Pastor Ben Gosden
Reverend Rachel Greiner
Memorial Health
Rabbi Robert Haas
Congregation Mickve Israel
Rabbi Steven Henkin
Congregation Agudath Achim
Reverend Billy Hester
Asbury Memorial United Methodist
Church
Susan Karlson
Unitarian Universalist Minister and Hospice Savannah
Chaplain
Rev.
George P. Lee, III, Ph.D.
St.
John Baptist Church, "The Mighty Fortress
Reverend Claire Marich
Asbury Memorial United Methodist
Church
Reverend David Messner
Unitarian Universalist Church of
Savannah
Reverend Alex T. Moreschi M.Div.
Episcopal
Deacon
Spiritual
Care Coordinator, Affinis Hospice
Reverend Grady Mills
Asbury Memorial United Methodist
Church
Monsignor
William Oliver O'Neill
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
Reverend Hunt Priest
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
Rev. Jeanette Purvis
Asbury Memorial United Methodist
Church
Reverend J. Gerard Schreck
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
Reverend Thurmon Tillman
First African Baptist Church
Pastor Kevin Veitinger
The Foundery
Reverend Jeanette Purvis
Asbury Memorial United Methodist
Church
Reverend Michael S. White
Christ Church Episcopal