Baptist group says policy is a ‘back-door bar’ on Muslim refugees, sends un-American message that there are second-class faiths
WASHINGTON — The Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty condemned today’s Executive Order that includes a suspension of visas for immigrants and non-immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries and a suspension of the refugee resettlement program, with a narrow exception in the future for those who face religious persecution and are considered a religious minority in that country. Further details available on the BJC blog.
The following statement is from Amanda Tyler, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty:
Today’s action is a back-door bar on Muslim refugees, telling an entire faith group that they are not welcome on our shores. Any attempt to ban Muslim refugees based on their religion betrays our values and sends the un-American message that there are second-class faiths. Our country, founded by immigrants who established religious freedom as a bedrock principle, is better than this. A threat to anyone’s religious liberty is a threat to everyone’s religious liberty, and we as Baptists stand with those facing religious persecution around the world, regardless of their faith.
—
Based in Washington, D.C., the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty is a religiously based organization working to defend religious freedom for all people and protect the separation of church and state in the historic Baptist tradition. Learn more at BJConline.org.
###
**This release’s introduction has been updated**
