Scores of progressive-minded faith leaders have reportedly signed an open letter to president-elect Donald Trump, asking the soon-to-be leader of the free world to meet with them so they can discuss advancing a “moral agenda.”
Assembled by an organization called Repairers of the Breach — a group that seeks to “build a progressive agenda rooted in a moral framework to counter the ultra-conservative constructs that try to dominate the public square — the letter lays out a series of issues and causes that affiliated faith leaders and activists would like to see Trump champion.
The letter, which comes after Trump’s well-documented close ties and frequent meetings with conservative evangelicals and Catholics, explains that signatories have a “deep concern and prophetic hope for our nation and world,” and asks that Trump meet with the group inside of a “house of worship” before his Jan. 20 inauguration.
The goes on to detail how Trump’s jobs as president will be to head a government that works to “form a more perfect union” — something those who signed on said is difficult work for any one person. From there, the cohort offered to pray for Trump and to offer support in helping him come into his presidential role.
“Mr. Trump, we hope it is your desire to be successful. Success is measured by how we welcome the stranger, care for the sick, care for the poor, and care for the hungry in practice and in policy,” the text reads. “In order to be successful in the eyesight of God, leaders must repent when they are wrong, and they must be committed to promote that which is rooted in justice and good will.”
It continues, “As clergy dedicated to the care of souls, we know you can neither succeed in a way that pleases God nor fulfill the duties of your office unless you repent. All of us, even persons who hold powerful positions, are called to repent when we violate the deep principles of love, justice, and mercy towards all, especially the least of these.”
The letter indicates that various’ communities have faced harassment since Trump’s election, and says that, as a result, blacks and religious minorities are fearful. Additionally, the letter proclaims that the poor are disappointed over Trump’s comments about union leaders and his appointment of “Wall Street elites.”
The remainder of the letter focuses on specific concerns, with the faith leaders and activists who signed on citing individuals and causes they see as problematic. From health care, LGBTQ rights and immigrants’ rights to religious freedom and criminal justice reform, the list of areas of concern was quite vast.
“After inviting Steve Bannon’s white nationalism into the Oval Office, you nominated Jeff Sessions to head the Justice Department — a man who did not receive Senate approval for a federal judgeship in 1986 because of his long history of racial discrimination in Alabama,” the letter reads. “If he maintains his past positions on civil rights and voting rights, he could overturn and undermine years of victories and protections secured and signed in the blood of the martyrs.
Dr. Ben Carson, too, is mentioned as a point of contention, with the letter describing the famed neurosurgeon — Trump’s nominee for secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development — as “a black man with no experience in government or housing.”
“Our faith calls us to love all people but this love can never refuse to tell the truth and stand against hate, systemic racism, and economic inequality,” the letter continues. “We cannot simply congratulate you on your victory and say, ‘Peace, peace’ when there is no peace. We are bound by our vows to tell the truth in love and stand together for justice, love and truth.”
Among those who signed onto the letter are representatives from progressive Christian denominations, Islamic groups and a leader with Sojourners, a progressive evangelical organization, the Christian Post reported.
Read the entire letter here.
—
Other Must-Read Stories:
– ‘The Physical Affects the Spiritual’: Pastor’s Convicting Sermon About Taking Care of Our Bodies
– This Fascinating Graphic Reveals What Members of the New U.S. Congress Believe About God
– Report: 1 Christian Was Killed Every 6 Minutes Last Year — and the Overall Number Is Shocking