Religious leaders from across the state, representing more than 3 million Pennsylvanians of various faith traditions, recently gathered at the Pennsylvania Capitol to issue a call for peace during this election season. Acknowledging the current climate of political unrest and polarization, they pledged to foster dialogue over division and urged civic leaders to use responsible rhetoric, reject all calls for violence and inspire hope rather than fear.
In a statement signed by more than 330 religious leaders, including Rev. Maeve Schurz, of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 65 E. Street Road in Feasterville, they called on their communities and all Pennsylvanians to prioritize understanding over assumptions and commit to truthfulness, recognizing the real harm caused by misinformation. They called on people of faith across the commonwealth to commit to courageous peacebuilding and to sign on (tinyurl.com/ycy52md3) in support of the statement.
“Two months from today, Pennsylvanians will head to the polls. The choices we make there will be a statement about the way we want to live together here and now and the kind of tomorrow we want to leave for our children. We gather here as leaders of many faiths from communities all across the commonwealth, not to tell anyone how to vote on Nov. 5 — but to remind us all of the transformative power in the daily choice to treat one another with kindness and human dignity … ,” the statement reads, in part.
“Violence is a language of despair; we stand together today because we want to speak in the language of hope. We acknowledge that we as people of various religions and worldviews are not immune to division. We confess our histories with political and societal violence — acts of omission, commission, compliance and collaboration. We struggle still. Yet, today, we commit ourselves to dialogue over division. To speak with a hope that is faithful to our traditions, recognizing that peace is not passive, but an active pursuit. One that requires courage.”
Speakers included Bishop Christopher deForest, Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA; the Rev. Dr. Larry Pickens, Pennsylvania Council of Churches; Rabbi Ariana Capptauber, Beth El Temple, Harrisburg; the Rev. Dr. Dale Snyder, Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Pittsburgh; and Imam Fatih Akdemir, Respect Graduate School Masjid, Bethlehem.
