Interfaith Group in St. Louis Denounces "Christian Identity"

August 29, 1999

Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

On August 29, 1999, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the 24 leaders of faith groups that make up the Interfaith Partnership of Metropolitan St. Louis issued an educational statement denouncing Christian Identity: "We find the Christian Identity movement not only an affront and embarrassment to all persons who identify themselves with the name Christian, but a cruel mockery of the very values, principles and narratives which shape the entire Christian tradition. This racism, bigotry and hatred is deplorable." The statement continues: "The interfaith community calls upon all persons of good will, whatever their religious tradition, to stand against such abuses and distortions of the good which authentic faith seeks to bring to all of humanity, regardless of race, class, nationality or religion." There are a reported 102 Christian Identity affiliates in 35 states, including 14 in rural Missouri and five in Illinois.