OPEN LETTER TO REVEREND PAT ROBERTSON

April 25, 2006
OPEN LETTER TO REVEREND PAT ROBERTSON
California Council of Churches/California Church IMPACT

If you would like to sign onto this statement and place your name and/or organization's name here, please fill out the form below.

230 signatures as of 16 December, 2006

Dear Rev. Robertson:

We have heard your call on the “700 Club” saying that “Islam is not a religion of peace” and that its goal is ‘world domination’. You have stated publicly on the BBC that some Muslims are motivated by ‘demonic power’ and on Hannity & Colmes that the Muslim prophet, Muhammad was a ‘wild-eyed fanatic…a robber and a brigand” and that ‘to think that this is a peaceful religion is fraudulent.”

You have further said the “Individual Christians are the only ones really – and Jewish people, those who trust God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – are the only one that are qualified to have the reign, because hopefully, they will be governed by God and submit to Him.”

We, the undersigned, represent that vast majority of mainstream Christian and Jewish clergy, laity, and scholars who repudiate your statements utterly and without reservation. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam share common and inalienable roots grounded in our long Abrahamic traditions. We share a reverence for the common principles that affirm love of our one Maker, regardless of name, and principles of righteousness, peace, and humanity. Your characterization of Islam reflects the very anger and hate that you ascribe to Muslim people.

The Qur’an itself manifests the unity of Islam and Christianity: “The closest in Affection to [Muslims] are those who say: ‘We are Christians’ for among them are priests and monks and they are not arrogant.” (Qur’an 5:82) After centuries of suspicion and hostility between Islam and the Catholic Church, the Second Vatican Council urged reconciliation. “For the benefit of all…let them together preserve and promote peace, liberty, social justice, and moral values.” (Nostra Aetate, 3) This document affirms the very point you make concerning submission to God: “They (Muslims) strive to submit themselves without reserve to the hidden decrees of God.” If that is your test, then Muslims, Jews, and Christians carry the same point of devotion into all of the world. Your hostility thus fails its own great test.

It is not from the Catholic Church alone that the efforts toward reconciliation and peace have emerged. April 25, 2003 the Alliance of Baptists affirmed that in the Christian Scriptures God has not rejected the descendants of Abraham – Jews and Muslims as well as Christians – but recognizes our common historical roots “in the faith of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar.”

Those of us who stay close to the teaching of Jesus, direct you to Mark 12:28 –34. When Jesus was asked what are the most important commandments, he replied “to love the Lord your God with all your heart and to love your neighbor as yourself.” Observant Muslims observe these standards faithfully; yet your insensitive and cruel remarks reflect nothing of that love. If your condemnations cannot be grounded in Scripture – if your arguments fail their own tests - we assert that you cannot and do not speak for the broadest and largest numbers of Christians or Jews. Your accusations come not from sources of faith but from a political wellspring that does violence to Judeo-Christian principles, as well as to Islam and Muslim people.

You have the right to speak your mind, but we believe that you do not speak for those who seek to be faithful to the Torah or to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We absolutely reject your hostility to true Islam and the gracious people who follow the Muslim faith. We reject your dissemination of such vicious, unprincipled, and groundless attacks on our neighbors and fellow human beings with whom we share so much.

Sincerely,

Signed,

Elizabeth Sholes
Director of Public Policy
California Council of Churches/California Church IMPACT

Dr. Fredrick E. Wiliams
Organization: First Christian Church Alameda
City: Alameda
State: CA

Drew Nettinga
Organization: Northern California Nevada Conference United Church of Christ
City: San Leandro
State: CA

Albert G. Cohen
Organization: Southern California Ecumenical Council
City: Pasadena
State: CA

Rev. Dr. Jerry S. Maneker
Organization: Retired
City: Chico
State: CA

Rev. Mary P. Conant
Organization: UCC
City: Sunol
State: CA

Reverend Ruth Sandberg
Organization: United Church of Christ
City: Alameda
State: CA

Arlene K Nehring
Organization: Eden United Church of Christ
City: Hayward
State: CA

Suzanne Darweesh
Organization: CCI/PCU
City: Fullerton
State: CA

Jeffrey Spencer
Organization: Niles Congregational Church UCC
City: Fremont
State: CA

Revd. John L. Freesemann
Organization: Vice President, California Church IMPACT
City: San Jose
State: CA

S. Kay Wellington
City: Concord
State: CA

Rev. Dr. Alan Jones
Organization: United Methodist Church
City: Hayward
State: CA

Kathryn Burroughs
Organization: Northminster Presbyterian Church
City: El Cerrito
State: CA

Rev. Jim Hopkins
Organization: Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church
City: Oakland
State: CA

Ellen T. Shaner
Organization: a United Methodist Christian City: San Jose
State: CA

Rev. Rick Mitchell
Organization: PeacePolitical News
City: Concord
State: CA

Rev. Carol Evans LeBlanc
Organization: Bethany Presbyterian Church
City: Sacramento
State: CA

Joan Mortenson
City: Huntington Beach
State: CA

James (Jim) Miller
Organization: Member and Elder-Christ Presbyterian Church-Carlsbad
City: Carlsbad State: CA

Peggy Roark
City: Sacramento
State: CA

Warren R. Uhte
Organization: Mill Valley Seniors for Peace
City: Mill Valley State: CA

Jan Adams
Organization: parishioner -Episcopal Church of St. John Evangelist
City: San Francisco
State: CA

Doris Young
Organization: Delta District United Methodist Women
City: Folsom State: CA

Rev. A. Daniel Fowler
Organization: 1st Presbyterian Church of Fort Bragg
City: Fort Bragg State: Ca.

Rev. R. Richard Roe
Organization: United Church of Christ
City: Palo Alto
State: CA

Carolyn Olney
Organization: First Congregational Church Pasadena
City: Los Angeles
State: CA

Joe Elmore
Organization: Retired Professor of Religion
City: La Mesa
State: CA

Rev. Dr. Rick Schlosser, Executive Director
Organization: California Council of Churches/California Church IMPACT
City: Sacramento
State: CA

Rev. Easton & Jeannie Long
Organization: Retired
City: Sacramento
State: CA

Laurence L. Brunton
Organization: UCSD and Mission Hills UCC
City: San Diego
State: CA

Rev. Dale K. Edmondson
City: San Leandro
State: CA

Dr. Lynn Rhodes
Organization: Pacific School of Religion
City: Berkeley
State: CA

Loyd Nolen Dunaway
City: Oklahoma City
State: OK

Walter Schlosser
City: Los Angeles
State: CA

Russell Hafner, Valorie Hafner
Organization: UMC
City: Buena Park
State: CA

Rev. Joanne Whitt
Organization: First Presbyterian Church
City: San Anselmo
State: CA

Rev. Dale Heckman, PhD.
Organization: United Church of Christ
City: Davis
State: CA

Paula Miner
City: Duarte
State: CA

Michael Adam Reale, Pastor
Organization: New Hope United Church of Christ
City: Owensboro
State: KY

Rev. Margo Tenold
Organization: Councilof Churches of Santa Clara County
City: San Jose
State: CA

Dorothy Reardon
City: Carmichael
State: CA

rev. richard chiolis
Organization: retired presbyterian minister
City: woodland
State: CA

Rev. Jim Burklo
Organization: Sausalito Presbyterian Church
City: Sausalito
State: CA

John Zachary
Organization: Claremont United Methodist Church
City: Claremont
State: CA

Walter T. Davis, Jr.
Organization: First Presbyterian Church
San Anselmo, CA
City: San Anselmo
State: CA

Rev. Dr. Mark Richardson
Organization: Trinity United Methodist Church
City: Los Osos
State: CA

Robert Carter
Organization: Moderator, Belmont Congregational Church
City: San Carlos
State: CA

Rev. Dr. Ted H. Sandberg
Organization: First Baptist Church
City: Chico
State: CA

Rev. Dr. Luke Adams
City: Oakland
State: CA

LaVerne Uhte
Organization: Fairfax Community Church UCC
City: Mill Valley
State: CA

Dr. Donna Llindsey
City: San Diego
State: Ca.

Yolanda Engiles
City: 80 South 5th street
State: CA

Terry Preston
Organization: Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento
City: Sacramento
State: CA

Judi Rath
Organization: United Methodist Church
City: Sacramento
State: CA

Elbert D. Hoffman
Organization: Interfaith Council of San Joaquin
City: Stockton
State: CA

Henry Jefferson
City: Ontario
State: CA

Cameron Hearn
City: Santa Rosa
State: CA

Diane M. Cripe
City: Burbank
State: CA

Jane Okubo
Organization: Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
City: Carmichael
State: CA

Dorthy Vance
City: Walnut Creek
State: CA

Deborah Park
City: San Diego
State: CA

Rev. Richard O. Moore
Organization: United Church of Christ
City: Claremont
State: CA

Christine Berardo
Organization: Mustard Seed Pictures
City: Studio City
State: CA

William Cox
Organization: United Church of Christ
City: Morgan Hill
State: CA

Jeane Minsky
Organization: Pilgrim United Church of Christ
City: Oceanside
State: CA

Cloene I. Marson
Organization: United Methodist Church
City: Oxnard
State: CA

Jackie Thompson
Organization: First United Methodist Church
City: Sacramento
State: CA

Rev. Dr. David Borglum
City: Alameda
State: CA

Merilie Robertson
Organization: Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.
City: Canoga Park
State: CA

Rev. Dr. Herman C. Waetjen
City: San Anselmo
State: CA

Rev. Adiel DePano
Organization: St. Paul's United Methodist Church
City: Oxnard
State: CA

Susan Eaton
City: Newport Beach
State: CA

Mary Ann Reynolds
Organization: retired teacher
City: Merced
State: CA

Karen Tokash
City: Auburn
State: CA

Theadora Davitt-Cornyn
Organization: Unitarian Universalist
City: Alameda
State: CA

Rev. Stephen Haley
City: Foster City
State: CA

Richard L. & Theresa Weiche
City: Oxnard
State: CA

Judy Church
City: Modesto
State: CA

Rev. Dr. Gaye G. Benson, pastor
Organization: United Methodist Church
City: El Sobrante
State: CA

Betty Person
Organization: Member, United Methodist Church

Robert F. Clazie
Organization: United Methodist - Retired
City: Santa Rosa
State: CA

Jean E. Barker
Organization: member 1st Pres., Palo Alto
City: Palo Alto
State: CA

Rev. AmyJo Mattheis
Organization: Way of Christ Community
City: Stockton
State: CA

JoAnne Jennings
City: Huntington Beach
State: CA

Marie Losh
City: Claremont
State: CA

Jeanne Whitesell
Organization: Orange County Interfaith Coalition for Social Justice
City: Orange
State: CA

Rev. Pam Fine
Organization: United Methodist Church
City: Nevada City
State: CA

Daniel Whitesell
City: Huntington Beach
State: CA

Lundy Lovelace
Organization: Furst-Centenary United Methodist Church
City: Chattanooga
State: TN

Janet Williams
Organization: Poway Interfaith Council
City: San Diego
State: CA

Beverly Maloof
City: Alta Loma
State: CA

Sam Maloof
City: Alta Loma
State: CA

Rev. Larry Hixon
Organization: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Pacific Southwest Region
City: Altadena
State: CA

Rev.Dona Smith-Powers
City: Palo Alto
State: CA

Phillip Shigekuni
Organization: Methodists for Social Action
City: North Hills
State: CA

Levonne Kelly
Organization: United Methodist Church
City: Huntington Beach
State: CA

Nancy Fowler
City: San Diego
State: CA

Mary Tucker
Organization: Member Methodist Church
City: Nevada City
State: CA

Kristine Cole
City: Fresno
State: CA

Gwen Watson
City: Lafayette
State: CA

Catherine Coleman
Organization: First Presbyterian Oakland
City: Alameda
State: CA

Terrance Andrew Robinson MD
Organization: Starr King School for the Ministry
City: Berkeley
State: CA

Carroll Cotten
City: Saint Helena
State: CA

Reverend Norman Cram
Organization: Saint Elizabeth's Church
City: Sonoma
State: CA

Sandi Ehlert
City: Encinitas
State: CA

Georgann S. Pearce
City: Huntington Beach
State: CA

Linda Moore
Organization: Shasta District United Methodist Women
City: Cottonwood
State: CA

Frederick H. Reardon
City: Carmichael
State: CA

James McReynolds
City: Berkeley
State: CA

Kathleen Malloy
Organization: Seminary Student - Unitarian Universalist
City: Alameda State: CA

Catherine L. Beatty
Organization: Sonoma United Methodist Church
City: Sonoma
State: CA

Rev. Dr. Herbert R Reinelt
Organization: United Church of Christ
City: Stockton
State: CA

David A. Smith
Organization: Irvine United Congregational Church
City: Irvine
State: CA

Rev. Pamela D. Cummings
Organization: Sonoma United Methodist Church
City: Sonoma
State: CA

Connie Hunter
Organization: W. Jurisdiction, United Methodist Women
City: San Jose
State: CA

Clay Berling
City: Carmel
State: CA

Joyce Georgieff
Organization: United Methodist Church, Interfaith Peace Ministry of Orange County
City: Santa Ana
State: CA

Tracy Avent
Organization: Unitarian Universalist Association
City: San Jose
State: CA

Tiffany L. Heath
City: Washington
State: DC

Daniel Bradfield
Organization: pastor: Fairview Community Christian Church
City: Rio Oso
State: CA

Mark Gotvald City: Pleasant Hill
State: CA

Karen Dickinson
Organization: Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco
City: Hayward
State: CA

Marguerite Chatigny
City: Martinez
State: CA

Dennis W. Short
Organization: Harbor Christian Church
State: CA

Carolyn Rissanen
Organization: United Methodist Church
City: Richmond
State: CA

Patricia Hug
Organization: Presbyterian Church USA
City: Irvine
State: CA

Ruth G. Lohrer
Organization: St. Peter's by the Sea Presbyterian Church
City: Palos Verdes Estates
State: CA

Rhetta Alexander
Organization: United Methodist Church PWJ Educator
City: Van Nuys
State: CA

Bruce Olstad
Organization: Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto
City: San Jose
State: CA

Mary-Ann King
Organization: A United Methodist Christian

Rev. Carol Barriger
Organization: 1st Congregational, United Church of Christ
City: Redwood City
State: CA

Dennis W. Short
Organization: Harbor Christian Church
State: CA

Reverend Julia Older
Organization: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Redwood City
City: Redwood City
State: CA

Rev. Jackie Kortright
Organization: UCC/FUMC of Loomis City: Loomis
State: CA

Dr. Donald Will
Organization: Chapman University
City: Orange
State: CA

Rev. Dr. Liza H. Klein
Organization: San Rafael First United Methodist Church
City: San Rafael
State: CA

Robin Ann Lambert
Organization: Community Church of Poway UCC
City: Poway
State: CA

Robert Brophy
Organization: Peter Carr Peace Center
City: Los Alamitos
State: CA

Gerald L. Harper
City: Artesia State: NM

Barbara W. Johnson
Organization: member of United Church of Christ
City: Fullerton State: CA

The Rt. Rev. Bishop Jerry A. Lamb
Organization: Episcopal Diocese of Northen California
City: Sacramento State: CA

Disa E. Lindgren
Organization: La Mesa Presbyterian Church
City: Culver City State: CA

Rev. Harry Allagree
Organization: St. John's Episcopal Church
City: Lakeport State: CA

Rev. Wilfredo Benitez
Organization: St. Anselm of Canterbury Episcopal Church
City: Garden Grove State: CA

David A Bessler
Organization: none
City: Pasadena State: CA

Margaret Hutchinson
Organization: Orange Grove Friends Meeting, member
City: Los Angeles State: CA

Barbara Liles
Organization: Seaside Church, UCC
City: Torrance State: CA

Diana Bauer
Organization: Concord United Methodist Church
City: Clayton State: CA

Miriam Benitez-Nixon
Organization: Grace Episcopal Church
City: Bronx
State: NY

Lulu Emery
Organization: St. Anselm of Canterbury Episcopal Church
City: Huntington Beach
State: CA

Rev. Darrel Meyers
Organization: Presbyterian Church (USA)
City: Burbank
State: CA CA

Maureen Kemp
City: Long Beach
State: CA

Rev. James Sheehan
City: Bronx
State: NY

Florence Isovic
Organization: Concerned Christians
City: Los Angeles
State: CA

Ted & Sharon Shohfi
Organization: Presbyterian Church (USA)
City: Huntington Beach
State: CA

Eddie Lopez, Jr.
City: New York
State: NY

Susan Lansdon
Organization: St. Anselm's Church
City: Garden Grove
State: CA

Patricia P. Alexander
Organization: Grace Episcopal Church
City: City Island
State: NY

Rev. Lilian Patey
Organization: Minister with the United Church of Canada
City: Windsor
State: Ont., Canada

Michel Shehadeh
Organization: Committee For Justice
City: Bend
State: OR

Linda Cahill
City: Anaheim
State: CA

Malcolm J. Blue
Organization: Episcopal Church
City: Valencia
State:CA

Vicki Tamoush
Organization: Middle East Fellowship of So. Calif.
City: Tustin
State:CA

Carolyn P. Harris
City: Los Angeles
State:CA

Catherine Standiford
Organization: St. Anselm's Episcopal Church
City: Garden Grove
State:CA

Ana Sanchez
Organization: Our Lady Queen of Angels Church
Newport Beach,
State:CA

Roberta Ranstrom
City: Davis CA
State:CA

Randall Heyn-Lamb
Organization: Episcopal Church
City: Pasadena
State:CA

Nabil Dajani
Organization: ADC
Westminster
State:CA

Wardeh Abdelmuti
Organization: Realtor
Huntington Beach
State:CA

Brice Harris
City: Los Angeles
State:CA

Denise Stanley
City: Anaheim
State:CA

Nidal A, Barakat
City: Van Nuys
State:CA

Jane Rinaldi
City: Placentia
State:CA

Kathleen Russell
Organization: West Michgian Coalition for Justice and Peace
City: Grand Rapids
State:MI

Robert Rickun
Organization: All Saints Church
City: Pasadena
State:CA

Elizabeth Lindeman
City: Los Angeles
State:CA

Janet Maker
City: los angeles
State:CA

Carrie Vanston
Organization: Network of Spiritual Progressives
City: Austin State: TX

flo a weber
Organization: catholic & member of san fernando valley network for peace and justice
City: woodland hills State: CA

Suzanne Brown
Organization: St. Paul's Episcopal Church
City: Rochester State: NY

Walter L Johnson
Organization: Holy Faith Episcopal Church
City: Inglewood
State: CA

Rabbi Steven B. Jacobs
City: Woodland Hills
State: CA

Rosemary Johnston
Organization: Interfaith Shelter Network
City: San Diego
State: CA

Joyce Breslin
City: Pasadena
State: CA

Richard & Carolyn Rosenstein
City: Los Angeles
State: CA

Jane E. Bellesorte
City: Walnut Creek
State: CA

Rev. Anthony Bellesorte
Organization: Roman Catholic Church
City: Vina
State: CA

June E. Rothe-Barneson
Organization: Trinity United Methodist Church
City: Chico
State: CA

Rev. Waliya Perkins
Organization: Church of All
City: Los Angeles
State: CA

A.U. Shaikh
Organization: Center for Religious Tolerance
City: Lemon Grove
State: CA

Elizabeth Whitesell
City: Los Alamitos
State: CA

Philip Gerson
Organization: Temple B'nai Torah
City: Redmond
State: WA

Name: Helen Vandeman
Organization: Interfaith Council of Washington
City: La Conner
State: WA

Name: Saleem Juma
Organization: none
City: Kent
State: WA

Name: Syed
Organization: none
City: Mukilteo
State: WA

Name: Scott Akers
Organization: El Centro United Methodist Church
City: El Centro
State: CA

Name: Barbara Kalis
City: Bellevue
State: WA

Name: M. Ghaffari
Organization: Islamic Education Centerof Seattle
City: Mont Lake Terrace
State: WA

Name: Susan Walker-O'Brien
Organization: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Redwood City
City: Redwood City
State: CA

Name: Mansour Ansari
Organization: Crescent International
City: Atlanta
State: GA

Richard R. Hickmann
City: Bend
State: OR

Patricia Krommer C.S.J.
Organization: Pax Christi
City: Monterey Park
State: CA

[The Rev] Susan H. Craig
Organization: Presbyterian Church (USA)
City: Pasadena, CA 91103
State: CA

Angel Copeland-Wolf
Organization: United Methodist Church PWJ
City: VICTORVILLE
State: CA

Patricia Colvig
City: Topanga
State: CA

Richard W. Gillett
Organization: Minister for Social Justice, Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles
City: Pasadena
State: CA

Kathleen Russell
Organization: West Michigan Justice and Peace Coalition
City: Grand Rapids
State: MI

Tom Longenecker
Organization: Church of the Brethren/glendale
City: Glendale
State: CA

Marguerite D. Lovett
Organization: Unitarian Universalist Church of Long Beach
City: Long Beach
State: Ca

The Rev. Thomas B. Hubbard
Organization: The Episcopal Church
City: Claremont
State: CA

Jeanne Fobes
City: Newport Beach
State: Ca

Pamela Wood Browne
Organization: Member, Unitarian Universalist Church of Long Beach
City: Long Beach
State: CA

iman
Organization: islamic education center of seattle
City: Issaquah
State: WA

Name: Elizabeth Flynnperrault
City: Lafayette
State: CA

Jonathan Kuttab
Organization: Holy Land Trust
City: Bethlehem
State: Palestine

Paul D. Alexander
Organization: Member, New Community Church of LaGrange, GA
City: Lagrange
State: GA

Michael Shearer
Organization: Center for World Peace and Understanding
City: Miranda
State: California

the Rev. Dr. Charles Robertson
Organization: Wilshire Center Interfaith Council
City: Los Angeles
State: CA

Ann Willard
Organization: Chalice Christian Church, San Carlos
City: Portola Valley
State: CA

Rev. Charlene Walking Turtle Mann (ULC)
Organization: First Peoples' Church of the Forbidden Truth
City: Fitchburg
State: MA

Margie Hidalgo
City: Sylmar
State: CA

Howard Dotson
Organization: Clergy member, Presbyterian Church (USA)
City: Los Angeles
State: CA

B Encinas
City: East Los Angeles
State: CA

Rev. Dr. Sharon R. Graff
Organization: United Church of Christ

Kelly Collins
City: Hermosa Beach
State: CA

Kent Daniel Bentkowski
Organization: The Kentroversy Papers
City: Buffalo
State: NY

Dorothy S. Brooks
City: Atascadero
State: CA

Name: Chuck Plosky
City: Springfield
State: NJ

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