WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - September 9, 2010) - Christian pastors will conduct a press conference at the Imani Temple on Capitol Hill at 6th and Maryland Northeast at 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 10th to announce an "International Day of Reverence and Respect for All Faiths."
Christian leaders joined by leaders of many faiths are alarmed by the actions of one pastor in Gainesville, Florida who plans to commemorate the 9-11 tragedy by burning the Koran. Christian pastors are outraged at his misguided understanding of the Christian faith and the misapplication of the message of Jesus.
In response to this crisis, Archbishop George Augustus Stallings, Jr., Founder and Senior Pastor of Imani Temple on Capitol Hill, and Co-president of the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC), is calling on pastors throughout the nation and the world to join in an International "Day of Reverence and Respect for All Faiths," Believers and all Holy Books at their Sunday services this coming Sunday, September 12th.
Archbishop Stallings says, "In light of the immense sensitivities of September 11th and the tragedy that occurred nine years ago, Christians must stand up with the true spirit of Jesus which would be to 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you.'"
Joining with Archbishop Stallings will be Christian clergy from the DC, MD and VA area, including Apostle Floyd Nelson, Vice-Presiding Prelate of Bibleway International; Rev. Michael Jenkins, chairman of the ACLC; Rev. Arnold Howard of Enon Baptist Church in Baltimore; Bishop Joseph Showell of Gospel Ark in Washington, D.C.; Rev. George Marshall of Holy Scripture Church of Christ in Virginia, and many others, Rev. Ed Young of New Beginnings Ministry in Virginia.
Though many have stood in interfaith settings, calling for the respect of all faiths, ACLC is calling for Christians to stand firmly on the biblical foundation which Jesus taught of the common brotherhood of all men and women, and the Constitutional principles of religious freedom, tolerance and respect for all faiths.
Bishop Stallings went on to say that "when the Koran is read carefully, with a prayerful understanding, we can see that the text embraces and teaches the universal principles that are consistent with the Bible. The Koran teaches that all people of the book should be respected: meaning all Christians, Muslims and Jewish believers who hold to their scriptures, as well as all faiths should be treated with respect."