|
7/19/06
Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) has repeatedly
spoken out in favor of embryonic stem cell research.
New York Senator's Comments Offensive and Dangerous
WASHINGTON, July 19 /Christian Newswire/ -- The executive
committee of the National Clergy Council, representing church leaders from Catholic,
Evangelical, Orthodox and Protestant traditions, today calls on New York senator
Charles Schumer to immediately apologize for his bigoted comments made yesterday
on the floor of the US Senate.
Mr. Schumer referred to traditional Christians who object to the
willful destruction of human embryos as "theocrats" who "want their
faith to dictate what the government does." He then said this is why the
Founders "put down their plows and took up muskets to fight."
National Clergy Council president, the Rev. Rob Schenck, said
in response:
"Senator Charles Schumer's remarks were not just insulting
to tens of millions of Americans of traditional Christian faith, but his words
were down right menacing. For a US Senator to vilify a whole segment of the American
population based on their religious convictions and then suggest fighting them
with guns is frightening.
We appeal to Mr. Schumer to apologize immediately, set the record
straight and urge Americans to engage in civil and non-violent debate on these
matters."
Senator Schumer was the only US Senator to refuse an Easter /
Passover gift package from the National Clergy Council's affiliate group, Faith
and Action, that was hand-delivered to all congressional offices earlier this
year. The Senator sent back the package of two books and a personal letter from
Rev. Schenck. Schumer included his own letter noting that he was not accepting
the gift. In contrast, numerous senators sent personal notes of appreciation to
Faith and Action.
Mr. Schenck is an appointed missionary to the federal government,
a minister and a board member of the Evangelical Church Alliance, America's oldest
association of Evangelical clergy. He is available for further comment.
Report From: Christian Newswire
| 
