Ballwin, Mo (KSDK)-- Missouri faith leaders met with a member of Congressman Todd Akin's staff regarding a statement the U.S. Rep. made about God and politics on a radio show.
Speaking with Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council, last Friday, Akin went after NBC for omitting the phrase "under God" during a pre-taped clip of the Pledge of Allegiance, which was aired during the U.S. Open golf tournament.
"Well, I think NBC has a long record of being very liberal and at the heart of liberalism really is a hatred for God and a belief that government should replace God. And so they've had a long history of not being at all favorable toward many of things that have been such a blessing to our country," Akin said.
NBC apologized for the omission.
The leaders met with Steve Taylor since Congressman Akin's office said Akin was unable to attend the meeting because his office never received a request about the meeting Wednesday morning and could not fit it in his schedule.
The faith leaders presented the congressman's office with a letter from local clergy and a petition with 200 signatures from Missouri members of Faithful America, an online community of people of faith standing up for social justice and the common good.
Congressman Akin apologized for his remarks Tuesday, saying "My statement during my radio interview was directed at the political movement liberalism, not at any specific individual. If my statement gave a different impression, I offer my apologies."
But religious leaders continue to press Rep. Akin, insisting that painting liberalism as anti-religious is still an inappropriate stereotype and a smear of his own constituents.
"Congressman Akin continues to insist that liberalism is anti-religion," said Rev. Kevin Cameron, senior pastor of Parkway United Church of Christ in St. Louis, MO. "As a pastor and a constituent of Congressman Akin's, I find this deeply offensive. I hold my liberal political views because of my faith."
Here is the full text of the letter to Congressman Akin and signers:
"As Missourians of faith, we found your statement that "at the heart of liberalism really is a hatred of God and a belief that government should replace God" to be ignorant and offensive. Scripture clearly warns us to "judge not, lest ye be judged," yet you condemn in disrespectful, stereotypical terms those with whom you disagree. Such insulting pronouncements degrade our nation's political dialogue and are unworthy of a public servant who claims to represent the interests of all of his constituents.
"And in light of your support for a federal budget that mainstream faith leaders have overwhelmingly condemned as punitive toward the poorest among us, we call on you to reconsider not only your words, but also your moral priorities as a political leader. Accusing others of being inspired by hatred of God while you vote to deprive the weakest and most vulnerable of medicine and basic sustenance is the antithesis of moral leadership. We call on you to apologize, and we pray that you are moved to act in a spirit of civility, compassion and justice in the future."
Rev. Krista Taves
Minister, Emerson Unitarian Universalist Chapel
Ellisville, MO
Rev. Kevin Cameron
Senior Pastor, Parkway United Church of Christ
St. Louis, MO
Rev. Jeffrey Whitman
Conference Minister, Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ
St. Louis, MO
Rev. Dale Bartels
Senior Pastor, St. John's United Church of Christ
Chesterfield, MO
Rev. Kevin Gregory
Senior Pastor, St. John United Church of Christ
Manchester, MO
Rev. Frank Proctor
Interim Minister, St. Charles Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
St. Charles, MO
Rev. Thomas Tupper
Retired Minister, United Church of Christ
Wildwood, MO
Rev. Richard Simonson
Retired Minister, United Church of Christ
Brentwood, MO
Cheryl Stolze
M.Div Student, Eden Theological Seminary and member of Parkway United Church of Christ
St. Louis, MO
KSDK