ADL urges local Pastor to condemn anti-Semitism in his congregation

  • August 23, 2019

August 23, 2019

Pastor Mark English
Lead Pastor
Christian Life Center
3100 Galloway Road
Bensalem, PA 19020

Dear Pastor English:

On behalf of ADL (the “Anti-Defamation League”), we are writing to express our concern regarding your remarks as quoted in yesterday’s Washington Post article entitled “How anti-Semitic beliefs have quietly taken hold among some evangelical Christians.”

ADL is a leading anti-hate organization. Founded in 1913 in response to an escalating climate of anti-Semitism and bigotry, our mission is to protect the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all. For over half a century, ADL has been a leader in interfaith outreach, working with members of many faith communities to challenge hate in all forms.

According to the Washington Post, after you learned that one of the members of your church espoused anti-Semitic views, you “felt no need to address [your] congregant’s anti-Semitic beliefs, either one on one or from the pulpit.” If true, we find this position troubling, and we strongly urge you to reconsider this stance.

Bias and bigotry can cause significant harm to individuals and entire communities. When left unchallenged, smaller expressions of bias lay a foundation upon which more regular and virulent acts of hate can occur. ADL has recorded an alarming surge in anti-Semitic incidents over the past three years, punctuated by the Tree of Life Shooting in Pittsburgh last year, the single deadliest attack on the American Jewish community in history. That this tragedy occurred in our Commonwealth underscores the relevance of this matter to Pennsylvanians, and should galvanize concerned citizens to stand up to anti-Semitism and all forms of hate, wherever and whenever they may occur.

Faith leaders, in particular, must not remain silent in the face of hate in their houses of worship. As a pastor, your leadership is essential to challenging anti-Semitism and all forms of bias in your community. In light of the long and tragic history of Christian anti-Semitism and its persistence today, it is imperative that Christian leaders make their voices heard. We urge you to speak out forcefully against bigotry in order to prevent it from escalating, and we encourage you to reach out to ADL for resources to assist you in educating your congregation. For now, we have enclosed an ADL publication entitled “Confronting Anti-Semitism,” which we hope will be helpful to you.

ADL is ready to support the Christian Life Center in this matter. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Nancy K. Baron-Baer                              Rabbi David Sandmel

Regional Director                                     Director of Interreligious Engagement