Eden Area Interfaith Council Statement on Solidarity Against Hate

​The Eden Area Interfaith Council, which includes Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Baha'i, Sikh, Unitarian-Universalist, and spiritual independent members, affirms:

• It is a blessing to live in a multicultural, multi-ethnic, multiracial, multi-faith area, with an abundance of religious traditions and teachings from which we can learn.
• Any form of hate: racism, antisemitism, homophobia, or religious bias is unacceptable and should not have a place in our schools or communities. Everyone must feel safe to live, study, worship, and be who they are.
• Nationally and locally, we must stand against distorted, extremist views of history. The Holocaust did happen. Slavery happened. Facts matter. These tragedies and crimes have legacies of brutality and inequality that shape our country today.
• The same distortions and intolerance are at the root of prejudice and violence directed toward other groups including American Indians, Muslims, LGBTQIA communities, and immigrants.

Our faiths teach us to seek justice and equity, and to stand in solidarity when any group is the target of prejudice or hate. The Eden Area Interfaith Council denounces hate in all of its obvious and subtle forms. 
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We offer our member faith groups as resources to our local school districts so that education can include accurate information about faith communities and authentic voices of those who have experienced prejudice and hate because of their religious beliefs and practices.

We must remain united as a community to oppose hatred and violence and foster a just and peaceful world. We must commit to learning all of our histories and building relationships across differences. We need a long- term investment in promoting love, compassion, understanding, and countering systemic hate. It is the best lesson we can teach and learn.