ADL, Faith, and Community Groups Concerned about Perry’s “Response” Rally

David Streeter — August 3, 2011 – 6:04 pm | Republicans | Separation of Church & State Comments (1) Add a comment

Texas Governor Rick Perry’s “Response” prayer rally - which is scheduled for this Saturday in Houston, TX - has raised concern from the Anti-Defamation League, an interfaith coalition of Houston-area clergy including 16 rabbis, and a variety of community leaders because of its apparent Christian-oriented and exclusionary focus. According to the Houston Chronicle:

On Tuesday, more than 50 Houston-area religious and community leaders disseminated a signed statement drafted by the Anti-Defamation League expressing ‘deep concern’ about a prayer rally ‘not open to all faiths,’ while the Houston GLBT Political Caucus and related organizations announced a Friday rally at Tranquility Park to protest the event. The groups that represent gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered individuals accused the American Family Association and other sponsors of the prayer event of hatred toward the GLBT community.

The ADL statement followed a June letter from the Houston Clergy Council that criticized the governor for excluding non-Christians, partnering with an anti-gay group and blurring boundaries between church and state.

‘Governor Perry has a constitutional duty to treat all Texans equally, regardless of race, religion or ethnicity,’ the ADL statement reads. ‘His official involvement with The Response, at minimum, violates the spirit of that duty.’

Signatories include Rabbi Samuel E. Karff, rabbi emeritus of congregation Beth Israel; Shaikh Omar Inshanally, head clergy of the Islamic Society of Greater Houston; the Rev. Lisa Hunt, rector of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church; and Rev. William A. Lawson, pastor emeritus of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church.

‘We strongly believe this statement, signed by so many of our most respected religious and community leaders, reflects the feelings of many Texans who are concerned that Governor Perry is overstepping his bounds in supporting an exclusionary sectarian religious event,’ Martin B. Cominsky, ADL southwest regional director, said in a news release.

Click here to read more form the Houston Chronicle.

Comments