Elgin church among those urging hard look at country's political discourse

Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders — among them the head of Elgin's Church of the Brethren — sent an open letter to Congress Thursday, urging reflection on political rhetoric in light of last Saturday's shooting in Arizona.

The 50 signers, who printed the letter in the form of a full-page ad in the congressional newspaper Roll Call, urges members to reject inflammatory words and consider the consequences of what they say.

“This tragedy has spurred a sorely needed time of soul searching and national public dialogue about violent and vitriolic political rhetoric,” the letter reads. “We strongly support this reflection, as we are deeply troubled that rancor, threats and incivility have become commonplace in our public debates.”

Along with encouraging elected officials to help lead a national dialogue about political rhetoric, the religious leaders pledged to foster environments “conducive to the important and difficult debates so crucial to American democracy” in their communities and congregations. Church of the Brethren General Secretary Stanley Noffsinger said the church's taking part in the ad is “not out of context” for the Elgin congregation.

Nearly a year ago, after becoming fed up with negative ads and mudslinging during the primary and general elections, church leaders began “trying to provide our congregants with insight into issues of civility,” Nofsinger said.

He said he fears that people “become the rhetoric that we engage in.”

No direct connection has been made between the motivation of the 22-year-old shooting suspect and political commentary.

“It would be wrong to tie it that way, but I do believe that it is out of concern for us moving forward that we all find ourselves on the other end of the rhetoric,” Noffsinger said. “I just know what the rhetoric and visuals do to me personally. Individuals could get to a place that they would respond (with violence).”