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The Rev. Jarrett Kerbel is the rector at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Noah Nesin is the worship chair at Congregation Beth-El. Mary Ellen Quin is the co-coordinator of Pax Christi Maine. Rev. Andrew Moeller is a minister serving the Unitarian Universalist Society of Bangor. Rev. Gary Bagley is a pastor at Hammond Street Congregational Church, United Church of Christ. Rev. Victoria Volker is the executive director of the Wilson Center at the University of Maine.
We are writing in support of our Muslim neighbors after the horrific shooting at the mosque and school in San Diego, California earlier this week. We are united in a clear message: Our Muslim siblings in faith are beloved members of our community and we are here to support, advocate for, and stand in solidarity with them during this time of heightened threat. The safety and flourishing of our Muslim neighbors blesses us all.
The permission structure for anti-Muslim and antisemitic hate and violence is growing as it is actively nutured by political leaders of all stripes, as well as Christian nationalists looking to build in-group cohesion by claiming a common enemy. Hannah Arendt warned us about this strategy of picking out a marginal group for persecution to buttress a false nationalistic ethno-centricism.
We reject this approach.
Instead, we promote pluralism as a foundational value of our country. No one creed is to be promoted, established, or advantaged by our government. Our First Amendment guarantees disestablishment of any one religion and the free exercise of all religions. We are a pluralistic country designed to embrace people of many faiths and no faith as equals even if we disagree passionately.
Pluralism is a blessing to our city and our region. We believe we need to reaffirm our commitment to pluralism by sending a clear message that our Muslim neighbors are full and equal citizens in our community, deserving of all rights and protections as any other person. Because of our history of pluralism and inclusion, our city is able to welcome students and professionals from across the globe who enhance every aspect of our common life.
Indeed, we would like to call all of our neighbors to active and intentional pluralism. Reach out to your Muslim neighbors, colleagues and friends. Let them know that you share their grief at the atrocity in San Diego and that you support them and value them. Intentionally seek to build relationships of friendship across religious and cultural divides.
Active, intentional pluralism is essential to citizenship and to cultural cohesion in a diverse country. The Islamic Center is encouraging us to write letters of support by postal mail at: 151 Park St., Orono, ME 04473, or email to share with their congregation.
