"In a small community in Virginia, USA, a couple hundred hardened racist white supremacists gathered apparently to protest the removal of a statue of a General from the American Civil War named Robert E. Lee. There is currently in the southern states of America controversy about Confederate statues and flags being displayed. For those not familiar with American history it was in the South where slavery was practiced and a significant number who fought in the Civil War did so to defend the institution of slavery, as well as, the role of government and private property. It was after the Civil War and during the period of reconstruction that many of these statues along with other Confederate War memorials were erected. It was also during this time that the Confederate War flag was flown to show "Southern Pride." These signs and symbols were also used by some in the defense of racial segregation and white supremacy. So for one group it is a matter of cultural pride (mostly white Americans) for others they are signs and symbols of centuries of injustice, oppression, hatred, and segregation. They were signs and symbols that represented segregated schools, restaurants, toilets, and neighborhoods. They were signs and symbols of a culture were justice itself had a foundation in the injustice of racism.
In light of a community deciding to remove a statue of a Confederate War General, a group of White Supremacists come to this small little town with the intent of advocating, with acts of violence. a way of life - white supremacy and segregation - that is not only abhorrent but at its very core evil. One would hope that we had seen the end of the ignorance of these racists and bigots. We all know that there is much to do when it comes to racial relationships and reconciliation, but I firmly believe that most Americans have moved beyond the blatant racism of this weekend and these vile individuals.
This morning, as a pastor of a local church, I commented on the events and certainly renounced white supremacy, racism, and hatred. I was speaking to the choir. Mostly because I have often, over thirty years, called my small church family to Gospel life and the belief that all life is sacred. I have spoken against racism and violence, as well as, teaching that violence is never an answer to violence and hatred is never a response to hatred. And, I have also tried to teach my people about the "white supremacy" that is inherent in the Pro Choice movement from the very beginning with the teaching of Margaret Sangler and continues in the work of Planned Parenthood. What greater violence than the murder of unborn children, many of whom are minority children. The Gospel is clear and I hope clergy in my communion make that clear that racism in any form is unacceptable and any racial supremacy teaching is demonic and evil at its core.
I am also appalled at the voices that are making this about politics. This is not about President Trump (his response) or President Obama or Congress or about which political party is more racist or more responsible for racism. For Christians it is about making it very clear that the Gospel is about the sacredness of all human life whether in a small town in Virginia, DR Congo, in Iraq and Syria, in the Civil War in Burundi, the salve trade of Thailand, slavery in the Middle East, or the lives of the poor innocent children who will die tomorrow in abortion mills.
The voices of White Supremacy will not prevail. Those who will prevail are the thousand upon hundreds of thousands of Christians who yesterday and today prayed for healing in our nation and for the Church to be a clear voice for the dignity of every person. Jesus Christ is our only hope and our only real source of unity."
This is a statement from the worldwide patriarch of my church (obviously a church born in the pro-life cause)...against the hatred of the alt-right, neo-Nazi, White supremacist movements.
