The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA denounces in the strongest way possible the attempt to assassinate former President Donald J. Trump at a Butler, Penn., rally on Saturday, July 13. We are grateful that his life was spared, and we pray for the loved ones of Corey Comperatore, who died shielding his family from gunfire during the incident. We also pray for those who were injured during the melee and for the family of the shooter in the loss of their loved one.
Tragically, we have been here before. Our nation should not be a welcoming space for political violence. Toxic polarization, hate rhetoric, and the demonization and denigration of those who hold different opinions is too prevalent on social media, in our families, our communities, and even in our churches. We call on all Americans to balance their political speech so that our passions do not become poisonous and violent.
Additionally, the combination of an efficient killing tool like the AR-15 with political polarization is uniquely disturbing. The weapon used in this attack is an instrument of war that time and again has been used to kill innocent people. In the meantime, little has been done to implement common sense gun reform measures that would undoubtedly save lives, as advocated for in the NCC Governing Board Resolution on Rampant Gun Violence and Mass Shootings. We must do more to remove weapons of war from the hands of political extremists. Further, we must increase our efforts to end toxic polarization, beginning with an examination of how Christianity is being distorted to incite and condone violence and spew hatred against persons or groups holding different opinions.
Today gives us another opportunity to join hands across the political spectrum and advocate for a more just and peaceable society through our policies and practices. It is another opportunity to cross divides, double our efforts, and take the necessary steps to prevent this from happening again. We can no longer delay making change for the sake of our communities and culture.
In this moment, we affirm the words of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there is such a thing as being too late. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.”
According to NCC President and General Secretary Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, “Let’s come together and get to work. We must raise the standard of safety and accountability in our nation, recognizing that we have challenges ahead, but our faith has equipped us to overcome the obstacles, meet this moment and make a transformative difference in our nation and world right now.”