Religious Leaders Call for Repentance, Resignations in Foley Scandal Print E-mail
By Jesse Lava
Oct. 02, 06 18:04

Hastert in the thicket

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FaithfulDemocrats.com just organized a crew of clergy and academic Christian leaders to write a letter to Speaker Hastert about the Foley mess.  The letter offers moral clarity during a time when the officials in question seem to be offering obfuscation and misdirection.

 

We CC'd the usual suspects on the religious right -- Dobson, Perkins, Falwell, et al -- because they've been (unsurprisingly) silent during this whole episode.  One strongly suspects they'd be all fire and brimstone if Democratic leaders had been the ones to hide sexual misconduct for political gain.

 

We got a great group to sign on, and more are on the way.   The letter is below.

 

 

October 2, 2006

 

The Honorable Dennis Hastert

Speaker of the House of Representatives

235 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-1314

 

Dear Mr. Speaker:

 

We were deeply saddened to learn of the appalling behavior of Congressman Mark Foley.  His sending sexually explicit instant messages and emails to numerous congressional pages - underage high school students - shocked America.  We offer our prayers for the affected families, Mr. Foley himself, and all victims of child sexual abuse.

 

Unfortunately, the latest reports suggest the problem is far bigger than the disturbing actions of one congressman.  Evidence is mounting that House leaders and others knew of Foley's behavior for months, some for more than a year, yet let him continue his tenure in Congress - including his chairmanship of the House Caucus on Missing and Exploited Children.

 

The bitter irony is that the leaders of a political party that emphasizes family values may have deliberately betrayed those values for political gain.  This is a moral failure - and a symptom of a Congress that has lost its moral compass. 

 

After all, protecting children is a biblical responsibility.  "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin," Jesus said, "it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depths of the sea." (Matthew 18:6)

 

No matter how much some politicians talk about moral values, protecting sexual predators at the expense of children is nothing short of sinful.

 

We therefore call for the repentance and resignation of all members of Congress who knew about Mr. Foley's misdeeds yet failed to stop them.  Investigations into this scandal must be immediate, independent, bipartisan, and mindful not only of Mr. Foley's crimes, but also of the possible efforts to hide them.

 

In this time of moral crisis, we pray that the entire faith community - regardless of political party - will unite in demanding accountability from anyone who has helped cover up these despicable acts.  The victims deserve no less.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Rev. Romal Tune

Co-Chair, FaithfulDemocrats.com

Founder & President, Clergy Strategic Alliances

Washington, D.C.

 

Dr. Randall Balmer

Professor of American Religion, Columbia University

New York, New York

 

Dr. Shaun Casey

Professor of Christian Ethics, Wesley Theological Seminary

Washington, D.C.

 

Rev. William Chrystal

Pastor, First Congregational Church

Former Military Chaplain

Reno, Nevada

 

Rev. Tony Campolo

Founder & President, Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education

Professor Emeritus, Eastern University

Saint Davids, Pennsylvania

 

Dr. Wayne Croft

Professor of Preaching, Easter Theological Seminary

Pastor, Church of the Redeemer

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

 

Dr. Paul de Vries

President, New York Divinity School

Board Member, National Association of Evangelicals

New York, New York

 

Dr. Robert Franklin

Professor of Social Ethics, Emory University

President, Regional Council of Churches

Atlanta, Georgia

 

Rev. Dr. Obery Hendricks, Jr.

Professor of Biblical Interpretation, New York Theological Seminary

New York, New York

 

Dr. Major Jemison

President, Progressive National Baptist Convention

Senior Pastor, St. John Missionary Baptist Church

Oklahoma City, OK

 

Rev. Peter Laarman

Executive Director, Progressive Christians Uniting

Los Angeles, California

 

Rev. Robert Maddox

Executive Director, Briggs Center for Faith and Action

Bethesda, Maryland

 

Rev. Stan Moody

Pastor, North Manchester Meeting House Church

Manchester, Maine

 

Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, Jr.

Pastor, Olivet Institutional Baptist Church

Cleveland, Ohio

 

Rev. Otis Moss, III

Trustee, Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference

Pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ

Chicago, IL

 

Rev. Robin Meyers

Senior Minister, Mayflower Congregational Church

Oklahoma City, OK

 

Rev. Dr. Robert Parham

Executive Director, Baptist Center for Ethics

Nashville, Tennessee

 

Rev. Dr. Staccato Powell

Pastor, Grace AME Zion Church

Raleigh, North Carolina

 

Rev. Daniel Schultz
United Church of Christ Minister
Co-Founder, Street Prophets weblog

Lancaster, PA

 

Rev. Tim Simpson

Executive Director, Christian Alliance for Progress

Jacksonville, Florida

 

Rev. Stephen Thurston

President, National Baptist Convention of America

Chicago, Illinois

 

Dr. Frank Trotter

Senior Minister, Metropolitan United Memorial Methodist Church

Washington, D.C.

 

Ms. Patty Wetterling

Child advocate

St. Joseph, Minnesota 

 

Dr. Patrick Whelan

Executive Director, Catholic Democrats

Pediatric Specialist, MassGeneral Hospital for Children

Boston, Massachusetts

 

Rev. Nathan Day Wilson

Clintonville Christian Church

Paris, Kentucky

 

Dr. Lauren Winner

Visiting Lecturer, Duke Divinity School

Christian author

Durham, North Carolina

 

Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright

Senior Pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ

Trustee, Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference

Chicago, Illinois

 

 

 

CC:     House Majority Leader John Boehner

            NRCC Chair Tom Reynolds

            Representative Rodney Alexander

            James Dobson, Focus on the Family

            Tony Perkins, Family Research Council

            Donald Wildman, American Family Association

            Jerry Falwell, Falwell Ministries

            Pat Robertson, Christian Broadcasting Network

 

 

Photo taken from Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/bistrosavage/66726697/  


LIST OF COMMENTS

1/12. Please!
Written by nathanealy  | Oct. 02, 06 18:48
"The bitter irony is that the leaders of a political party that emphasizes family values may have deliberately betrayed those values for political gain. This is a moral failure — and a symptom of a Congress that has lost its moral compass." This sounds very judemental. Isn't that a sin? Granted, it isn't nearly as bad as hitting on teenage boys, but it's still a sin. If anyone broke that law, they should be held responsible. If someone knew about it, and didn't report it, they should be held responsible. However, if the scandel would have involved the Democrats, the left-wing would have been just as quiet! Please stop using Christianity as a campaign tool! You are just as bad and any right-wing Republican. But, I guess you can be excused, we all know that Jesus is a Democrat, God voted Mondale, and Jimmy Carter is a Saint. Soon to be ex-Democrat, Nathan Ealy McCain in '08!

2/12. The Old Judgemental Ploy
Written by stanjz  | Oct. 02, 06 19:03
It's the duty of both sides to point out unacceptable behavior. This is especially true of those in leadership positions. Both sides should do this. The problem is that the number one agenda for Republican Leadership is cutting taxes. Republican leadership puts on airs of being saintly. They put their trust in riches and concurrently condemn the weakest members of society to hopeless situations. This is against everything that Christ preached- everything!!!

3/12. hitting on boys? hitting on girls? no difference!
Written by anomalous4  | Oct. 02, 06 19:47
Nathan says: "Granted, it isn't nearly as bad as hitting on teenage boys...." HUH????????????? Hitting on anyone—regardless of gender—is a sin. It's treating the other person as an object for your own gratification. If you're married (or the other is), it's also adultery. If the other is under-age, it's also a crime. Period. Faithful Dems is entirely right to call Republican leaders to account for the hypocrisy of the Foley coverup. They impeached President Clinton for messing around with one consenting adult; where are they now that one of their own is preying repeatedly on teenagers?

4/12. No politics
Written by copper  | Oct. 02, 06 22:51
The letter is indeed something you would expect of the religious right. Gee, where do you suppose those guys are now? Probably still trying to re-examine the "be good to foreigners" scripture. Anyway, Nathan's point is a good one on "The bitter irony..." paragraph. The paragraph's a bit much and unnecessarily points out what is only obvious to everyone. Rubbing it in their chest does nothing to compel a thoughful response. Let's be clear though, God's word teaches it's sinful to judge your brother, not your government. In some circles, being judgemental of your government is even regarded as patriotic. It should, nevertheless be constructive. Good move on the letter - anyone who knew about the despicable behavior and didn't stop it should likewise be forced out. It's a tragic situation, but those kids and Foley need our prayers above all else.

5/12. Caution
Written by copper  | Oct. 02, 06 23:21
"The bitter irony..." paragraph is a bit much. It gives the real impression that politics rather than compassion for those kids is driving the letter. The absence of outrage by the Religious Right likewise demonstrates how they too place politics above genuine compassion for those kids. If Faithful Democrats is truly going to make a difference with people of faith, then business as usual just won't cut it. Good move on the letter though.

6/12. FOF weighs in?
Written by anomalous4  | Oct. 02, 06 23:22
I haven't been able to find a second source for this (it's nowhere to be found on any of the FOF websites and I couldn't Google it up either) but Greg Sargent reports at ----- http://electioncentral.tpmcafe.com/ ----- "[A]n official statement about Foleygate has just landed in our inbox from James Dobson's powerful evangelical organization Focus on the Family. The statement demonstrates plenty of mercy, and very little fire and brimstone. There's no word in it about the House GOP leadership, no word on whether it had a moral obligation to act sooner on Foley, and no word on its current conduct. It notes that 'if' Foley is guilty of what he's been accused of, then it's right that he resigned and it's right that 'authorities' (it isn't specified which ones) are looking into whether "he" committed a criminal act. And it says that 'this is not a time to be talking about politics.' ----- From Focus on the Family: ----- Colorado Springs, Colo. -- Focus on the Family Action Senior Vice President of Government and Public Policy Tom Minnery issued the following statement today about the scandal involving ex-Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fla: 'This is not a time to be talking about politics, but about the well-being of those boys who appear to have been victimized by Rep. Foley. If he is indeed guilty of what he is accused of, it is right that he resigned and that authorities are looking into whether criminal charges are warranted. This is yet another sad example of our society's oversexualization, especially as it affects the Internet, and the damage it does to all who get caught in its grasp.'" ----- Can anyone else verify this statement?

7/12. Let's Be Consistent
Written by Mark Hubbell  | Oct. 03, 06 17:19
I would suggest that the call would be for all who have violated the public trust through sexual indescretions step down. Foley was wrong and is gone. But is it not time for Barney Frank to go? How about Ted Kennedy? And if not, why are we not equally insensed about their immoral behavior?

8/12. Re: Let's Be Consistent
Written by miggsathon  | Oct. 04, 06 12:46
Mark, maybe because Foley is news right now and the others aren't? Why not bring up JFK's affairs while we're at it? Or Iran-Contra? Or how about the Teapot Dome scandal under Warren Harding?

9/12. Hastert's responsibility
Written by FaithfulDemocrats  | Oct. 12, 06 18:14
9/9. Hastert's Responsibility

Written by ljanem  | Oct. 12, 06 00:47
 

As he proclaims his position as head of the House, and restates his "values," one phrase keeping ringing in my mind... one that seems appropriate: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."


10/12. And Now We Have Harry Reid
Written by Mark Hubbell  | Oct. 12, 06 19:19

Okay, now the attention is focusing on Harry Reid for his land transaction and the fact that it was not reported and taxes were not paid on his windfall.  This is even more current than the Foley issue. 

 

Will democrats condemn this as soundly as they did Foley's action, or are some sins permissable?  What does it mean to be a "Faithful Democrat?"  Faithful to who?


11/12. Reid?
Written by miggsathon  | Oct. 12, 06 22:15
The Foley thing was pretty open and shut: we had the IMs from Foley and we immediately -- that same night -- had John Boehner and others saying they told Hastert and nothing was done. 

This Reid thing is bad if true in that he would have failed to disclose something, but all we have is one report about laws that we really don't know much about.  I certainly think we should make an issue out of it when the facts are in.

(Please don't say the facts aren't available in the Foley case.)

12/12. Okay, let's see what Faithful Democrats do
Written by Mark Hubbell  | Oct. 13, 06 09:58

No, I wouldn't attempt to excuse the Foley actions.  He was wrong and he is gone.  End of story!

But each day more is coming out about Harry Reid and I am curious as to whether there will be a consistent response in his case.  You no doubt recall what the Bible has to say about "different weights and different measures."
Last Updated ( Oct. 06, 06 13:41 )
 
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