The Gathered Community (including Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis and Dr. John Dominic Crossan) Asserts Christian Nationalism Endangers Authentic Christian Values and U.S. Democracy.
Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah, May 22–25, scholars, pastors, and lay associate members of the Westar Institute (home of the Jesus Seminar), including the co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival and director of the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis and renowned historical Jesus scholar John Dominic Crossan gathered from across the country and the globe. They convened to study both the causes and the dangers posed by the re-emergence of Christian Nationalism in both church and society.
Westar honored the deep, life-time contributions to public mission of particular members, including Susan M. (Elli) Elliot, Lane McGaughy, Hal Taussig, Charles Hedrick, and Brandon Scott.
The gathered community voiced unanimous agreement that Christian Nationalism, in its claims that the United States is a “Christian nation,” is not only profoundly mistaken, but willfully so. It poses profound dangers both to genuine Christian practices of hospitality and compassion and to the political integrity of the United States. In contrast to this exclusionary vision, we embrace the best traditions of equality that have consistently urged the recognition of human rights across all borders of race, gender, religion, and nationality. Westar Institute Director David Galston said the Institute would be dedicated in the weeks and months ahead to being a public voice articulating a far more open and affirming faith that calls forth the best in us as citizens and faith communities, seeking the well-being of the earth and all its peoples.
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Contact:
Linda Hodges
Westar Institute
510-418-2488
[email protected]
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Religion News Service or Religion News Foundation.
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