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Not In Our Name

People of Faith Say "NO" to Fred Phelps' Hate Speech

On the weekend of November 20, Fred Phelps and members of his Westboro Baptist Church were in Ann Arbor to spread their message, "God hates fags."

As an Interfaith community, we say "NO" to Phelps' hate speech and "Yes" to a safe community for all our members.

In four days, we collected 250 signers for our ad promoting safe communities (text below). Our signers were religious and secular; liberal and conservative; Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Unitiarian, and more. View the Signature Ad.

Not In Our Name

We stand together to ensure that our community is a place of respect and safety for everyone, and we stand united against the hate-filled message of Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas. Our faith communities are home to a diversity of perspectives on homosexuality, but a unanimity in our support for a safe community free from hate speech.

Signed:

• Rev. Michael Ryan, King of Kings Lutheran Church
• Haju Murray, Zen Buddhist Temple
• Rabbi Bob Levy, Temple Beth Emeth
• Rev. Barbara Child, Interim Senior Minister, First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor
• Chuck Warpehoski, Director, Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice
• Rev. Chuck Booker-Hirsch, Pastor, Northside Presbyterian
• Rabbi Rob Dobrusin, Beth Israel Congregation
• Rev. John Nieman, Rector, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
• Rev. Peggy Garrigues-Cortelyou, Acting Assistant Minister, First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of  Ann Arbor
• Plus over 240 additional signers!