Title: ELCA Bishop Endorses Statement for Faith Response to Terrorism
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

September 14, 2001

ELCA BISHOP ENDORSES STATEMENT FOR FAITH RESPONSE TO TERRORISM
01-232-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. H. George Anderson, presiding bishop of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), joined more than 100
religious leaders of major faith groups in the United States --
including Christian, Jewish and Muslim -- in releasing a comprehensive
statement on terrorism that recommends a "resolute response guided by
the wisdom of religious faith."
     In the statement, "Deny Them Their Victory: A Religious Response
to Terrorism," religious leaders offer words of consolation to the
families of the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the eastern
United States:  "We must find a word of consolation for the untold pain
and suffering of our people."  It adds that "houses of worship should
become public arenas for common prayer, community discussion, eventual
healing and forgiveness."
     Religious leaders also offered a "word of sober restraint" as the
nation discerns what its responses will be.  "We share the anger toward
those who so callously and massively destroy innocent lives, no matter
what the grievances invoked. In the name of God, we too demand that
those responsible for these utterly evil acts be found and brought to
justice. Those culpable must not escape accountability.  But we must
not, out of anger and vengeance, indiscriminately retaliate in ways that
bring on even more loss of innocent life."
     "We can deny them [the terrorists] their victory by refusing to
submit to a world created in their image," the signers said, adding, "We
must not allow this terror to drive us away from being the people God
has called us to be."  And, "America must be a safe place for all our
citizens in all their diversity."
     Terming the aftermath of the attacks a "test of national
character," the statement calls for citizens to rededicate themselves to
"global peace, human dignity, and the eradication of injustice that
breeds rage and vengeance."
     Signers, who gave their personal endorsement, include the heads of
denominations, national and regional religious organizations and "para-
church" groups; local pastors and rabbis; and theologians and professors
from all parts of the nation.
- - -
The statement is available at
http://www.ncccusa.org/news/interfaithstatement.html on the Web.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html