Leaders call for civil talk on immigration

As leaders in the religious community we write this letter out of our common commitment to represent a God who is compassionate and merciful and forms peoples into communities grounded in compassion, reconciliation and mercy.

Because of the tone that the discourse about immigration has taken in our communities, we feel called to speak and that the time has come for a more civil, respectful and caring discussion about new neighbors.

The signers of this letter recognize that there are a variety of opinions regarding immigration and the status of undocumented residents in our country and in this community. We do not all agree on the best course of action to solve this complex issue to everyone's satisfaction. But we do agree that immigrants are human beings first - created in God's image like all people. Any conversation that is helpful and healthy will have to acknowledge that fact as a common starting point.

Racist, derogatory and inflammatory speech that is neither honest nor accurate should not be tolerated in this discussion. Such tactics drag down our community, espouse animosity and bigotry, and threaten the very heart and soul of our community in a way that no number of new residents could ever do.

We understand that there are many perspectives regarding the issue of immigration and that people on each side of this issue raise legitimate points. Underneath many of these are the larger issues of health care, education and economics - issues on which we all need to come together to work.

Sadly, some seem bent on portraying new people, especially members of the Latino community, in stereotypic terms. Accusations about crime, HIV/AIDS, laziness, mooching, and general destruction of life are inappropriate. The demonization of any group of people is incompatible with our faith traditions and should not be tolerated in a city like Elgin or in any of the surrounding communities.

The truth is that these new residents are like the generations of immigrants that came before them from a variety of nations which we now have accepted as the "norm." They are coming here to pursue a better life, a safe place to live, and a future for their children. And many of them are here legally and living ethically but being treated poorly due to racist portrayals that are unethical and untrue.

As spiritual leaders in this community, we urge the leaders of Elgin and the surrounding communities to elevate the dialogue, maintain a spirit of respect, and to focus on making this a great place to live for all people.

Hazzan Sarah Alexander

Congregation Shirat

Shalom

Gabriel Bardan, pastor

Elgin Seventh-day

Adventist Church

The Rev. David Daubert, pastor

Zion Lutheran Church

Marlene Daubert,

diaconal minister

Zion Lutheran Church

The Rev. Neris Diaz-Cabello

Chaplain, Sherman

Hospital

The Rev. Antonio Cabello, pastor

Iglesia San Esteban Martir

The Rev. Paris Donehoo, pastor

First Congregational Church

Chaplain Ed Hunter

Provena St. Joseph Hospital

The Rev. Jonathan D. Hutchison, pastor

First UMC-Elgin

The Rev. Jan Kennedy

The Rev. Joel D. Kline,

pastor

Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren

Rabbi Jonathan Kohn

Congregation Kneseth Israel

Beth Lawniczak, director of Faith Development

Christ the Lord Lutheran Church

The Rev. Pedro N. Lopez, pastor

Church of the Redeemer

Linda Meyer

Church Women United

Daniel Muro, pastor

Apostolic Assembly

The Rev. David Newhouse, pastor

Epworth Methodist Church

Major Ken Nicolai

The Salvation Army

Marge Novy

St. Mary Church / Elgin Cooperative Ministry

The Rev. Art Puotinen,

pastor

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Elizabeth L.H. Richards, Christian Science practitioner

First Church of Christ,

Scientist

The Rev. Denise Tracy, president

Coalition of Elgin Religious Leaders

George Wadleigh, Christian Science practitioner

First Church of Christ,

Scientist

The Rev. Geoffrey Wirth, pastor

St. Thomas More Church

Beth Lawniczak

Director of Faith

Development and Music

Christ the Lord

Lutheran Church

Elgin