“As Christians, we are called to love and engage all people — not to retreat behind walls of contempt.” — Dr. Randy Brinson
“As Christians, we are called to love and engage all people — not to retreat behind walls of contempt.” — Dr. Randy Brinson
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Christian Coalition of Alabama today issued a strong condemnation of remarks made by Secretary of State Wes Allen, who attacked Republican Lieutenant Governor candidate John Wahl for attending an interfaith gathering at the Anniston Islamic Center earlier this month. Secretary Allen declared he would “never” enter an Islamic center or mosque and stated there is “no excuse” for such participation — remarks the Christian Coalition finds deeply troubling and theologically indefensible.
Secretary Allen’s declaration that a committed Christian should refuse to enter a place of worship of another faith stands in direct contradiction to the example of Jesus Christ, who crossed every religious and cultural boundary of his day to share the truth of the Gospel. The Great Commission does not come with geographic or religious exceptions.
The Christian Coalition of Alabama calls on Secretary Allen to retract these statements and to apologize to Alabama’s Muslim community. We further call on the Alabama Republican Party and the Republican National Committee to repudiate this rhetoric, which does not represent the values of Alabama Christians or the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Alabamians of all faiths deserve political leaders who govern with integrity and respect — not candidates who weaponize religion to divide voters and win elections. We call on Christians across Alabama to join us in denouncing this kind of rhetoric wherever it appears.
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