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Committed to compassion,


IN a democracy, each citizen is given freedom of speech. No one is to be condemned for being Democratic or Republican, conservative, moderate or liberal.

Most recently, 20 African-American clergy exercised freedom of speech at a news conference. These ministers stated that they were working to elect George W. Bush for a second term of office as president. These pastors spoke not for their churches, but they as individuals exercised their American privilege and democratic right as citizens.

As a result of their exercise of free speech, conflict and controversy have disrupted the peace and goodwill of many in both the secular and religious communities.

There are those who believe there would have been no hatred and hostility if those ministers had not stated their reason for supporting Bush to a second term was tied to the divisive issue of same-sex marriages. The AIDS activists responded to the news conference by saying the ministers have harmed future funding for the fight against the spread of AIDS.

We are calling all of us to relate to each other with mutual respect for each other so as to allow us to differ logically and humanely on the issues. A caring and compassionate number of African-American clergy do not support President Bush for re-election, but they support traditional family values while promoting ministries to decrease the spread of AIDS.

These pastors teach and preach against racism, sexism, ageism, classism and Homophobia. No one can place all African-American ministers into a single theological, ideological or political camp.

We encourage everyone to investigate the larger and more far-reaching implications of the upcoming presidential race. In addition to whatever your personal opinion is regarding same-sex marriages, ask yourself this litany of questions:

Can America survive if she continues unilateral war-making in a time that calls for international peace-seeking collaboration?

Can the economic infrastructure of city, county, state and the nation survive continuous lavish investment in the military?

Can the American common people whom we serve as clergy survive the diminishing of resources for public education and health care?

Can the American image survive our rejection of global treaties and environmental controls?

Is it liberty and justice for all Americans when preferential treatment is given to the wealthy and select corporations?

Should not all Americans seek an administration that will protect our freedoms against punitive patriot legislation while defending America from our enemies?

Last, but not least, we do not give our souls to any imperfect, human-made political system. When the Kingdom of God comes, we do not believe it will arrive on the wings of Air Force One.

We are committed to the principles of compassion, courage and critical thinking in leading a people whose purpose-driven lives elevate principles of ethics far above the perils of political expediency.

Dr. J. Alfred Smith Sr., senior pastor of Allen Temple Baptist Church; Bishop Bob Jackson, Acts Full Gospel; Bishop Ernestine Reems, Center of Hope; the Rev. Joseph Smith, pastor of Good Hope Baptist Church; the Rev. Lloyd Farr, pastor of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church; and Dr. Frank Pinkard, pastor of Evergreen Baptist Church.