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Statement Condemning Violence Against our Jewish Neighbors

January 24, 2022 by North Carolina Council of Churches

The North Carolina Council of Churches represents 18 denominations statewide among which are congregations large and small, urban and rural, multicultural and multi-ethnic. Today we stand in solidarity with our Jewish neighbors. 

The recent increase in violence against our Jewish neighbors is antithetical to the freedom guaranteed to each person in this country. We value the freedom of religion guaranteed by our Constitution and proudly proclaimed worldwide as a foundational principle of the United States government and society. For freedom of religion to have substance and integrity, it must extend to people of all faiths.

More importantly, for Christians, the violence against our Jewish neighbors is abhorrent to the God we worship. The North Carolina Council of Churches condemns all violence, yet religious violence takes on a different hue because of its dehumanizing characteristic. Furthermore, as descendants of the Jewish faith, we are compelled to stand with all who identify as Jewish in this season of danger.

While many of us have friends and family from the Jewish tradition and have privately reassured them of our sympathy and support, today we call for public acknowledgement that more work is needed to curtail anti-Semitic behavior.

We call on members of the Christian community to ground themselves in the principles of peace, which necessarily include ensuring safety for those whose religious beliefs differ from our own. 

We call on members of the Christian community to stand with those who have become the objects of religious persecution and publicly denounce those who perpetrate it..

We call on members of the Christian community to work tirelessly to promote respect and understanding for all faith traditions.

Filed Under: Issue Statements

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Carol Cohen says

    February 6, 2022 at 9:42 am

    Thank you for your support. We can fight hate with love.

    Reply
  2. Benton C Thompson says

    January 25, 2022 at 2:09 pm

    Thank you for standing up for the rights of our Jewish brothers and sisters. We are all Gid’s children with freedom of religion a basic right.

    Reply
  3. Janet Ross says

    January 25, 2022 at 11:11 am

    Thank you for standing up for us Jews. In these times of increasing antisemitism it’s wonderful to know that we’re not alone.

    Reply
  4. Kathy Atwater says

    January 25, 2022 at 9:53 am

    As a Christian, it is our responsibility to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. I see this not only for the Nation of Israel but also for the Jewish people, wherever they are. I stand with NCCC in this effort to support our Jewish brothers and sisters. For if we allow such violence on them, it won’t be long before those who are against any religion that goes against their beliefs will turn this violence towards Christians. As long as America is a free nation, all Americans should be free to worship without fear of violence! Let us continue our prayers to maintain our freedom!

    Reply
  5. Lev Glenn Tetterton-Opheim says

    January 24, 2022 at 4:39 pm

    As a Jew in North Carolina, I am grateful for this public statement of support by NCCC. We have stood with our neighbors in need by offering our synagogue to churches in need. We support the work of feeding the hungry, helping victims of domestic violence, and providing clothing for homeless students. In the past few years, we have had to hire deputies to provide coverage for our religious services. We cannot keep our doors open now but must have tight security on who enters. This is not the way we want to welcome people. We would like our synagogues to be open to all who want to worship with us. Antisemitism is a poison for all of society, so your stand against it is needed. Thank you.

    Reply
  6. Andrew Silver says

    January 24, 2022 at 2:13 pm

    Well said. Thank you.

    Reply
  7. Mary White says

    January 24, 2022 at 1:24 pm

    I am pleased to stand up for equanimity for all in regard to religion and humane treatment of our fellow men, women and children.

    Reply
  8. Leroy S Anderson Jr. says

    January 24, 2022 at 11:01 am

    I would like to paraphrase something that heard a few days ago, “if issues are not made publicly, they want be addressed.”

    Reply
  9. Rev. Frank Dew says

    January 24, 2022 at 10:34 am

    Grateful for this statement!

    Reply
  10. Gary Keith Smith says

    January 24, 2022 at 10:24 am

    Thank you, NCCC.

    Reply
  11. Rev. Para Drake says

    January 24, 2022 at 10:17 am

    Standing with you in solidarity with our Jewish friends and neighbors. Thank you for bringing this to the forefront of our responsibility as Christians.

    Reply
  12. Sam Roberson says

    January 24, 2022 at 10:01 am

    Honored to be a signer

    Reply

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(919) 828-6501
info@ncchurches.org

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