The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy and the Virginia Council of Churches are calling on Virginia’s elected leaders – and all citizens – to renew our commitment to religious freedom and pluralism and refrain from scapegoating our Muslim citizens and neighbors in the wake of another tragic action of violence.
Virginians are proud of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, drafted by Thomas Jefferson and passed into law by the Assembly in 1786. Virginia’s leadership paved the way for the first amendment’s freedom of religion in the Bill of Rights in 1789.
Today, we mourn with the people of Brussels and all those who have faced terrorist attacks. We know that politically motivated terrorists often use religious language to justify their actions. Many faith traditions have experienced their language usurped to justify political actions and decisions. Our society is best-served by respectful civil discourse and discussion, not suicide bombers. Mosques and Muslim leaders throughout Virginia condemn the violence.
The heart of all religious traditions is love of God and love of neighbor. The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy united Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and others in Virginia to advocate justice in our Commonwealth’s public policy. The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy was birthed out of the Virginia Council of Church’s policy efforts in 1982, and we continue to share a close relationship. Together, we seek to close the health care coverage gap, reform our criminal justice system and reduce hunger and poverty in the state.
-The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy -Virginia Council of Churches
Kim Bobo, Executive Director Rev. Jonathan Barton, General Minister