Over a thousand faith leaders aren't happy that 27 governors from all across America are trying to close their doors on Syrian refugees.
They have made an appeal to President Barack Obama to welcome those in need into their country.
The faith leaders, who belong to the coalition called Faith in Public Life, consist of Christians, Jews, and Muslim leaders. The group's CEO, Reverend Jennifer Butler, even has close ties with Obama himself, according to WND.
In their letter to the president, the group said they are "adamantly rejecting" the move made by the Republican governors to prohibit Syrian refugees from entering their country.
"As faith leaders, we seek to honour Scripture's call to protect the refugee and the immigrant. As it is written in the Hebrew Scriptures, 'When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt,'" their letter reads.
Butler understands that the country's government leaders have a responsibility to protect civilian Americans, but they also cannot be heartless to the plights of refugees.
"The Statue of Liberty is not etched with the message 'Christians only,'" said Butler. "Our elected officials have a responsibility to protect the nation, but turning away families who risk their lives to escape the destruction of war is unnecessary and wrong. America can prevent attacks without turning our backs on desperate refugees."
They are also strongly condemning any discrimination against refugees' nationalities and religion, and they are slamming the move made by the 27 governors, describing it as "politics of fear and cruelty."
Prominent faith leaders who signed their names on the letter include Bishop Mariann Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington; Raphael Warnock, pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta; theologian Walter Brueggemann, and several leaders coming from the Methodist, Episcopal, Catholic, Presbyterian and community churches. The list also includes imams, nuns and bishops.
