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WASHINGTON — More than 2,000 religion leaders and spiritual activists are calling on members of Congress to honour the results of November’s election and keep away from “a delayed and drawn out objection” this week when President-elect Joe Biden’s win is about to be licensed.
Signatories to the assertion launched Monday embody many distinguished spiritual liberals, akin to Barbara Williams-Skinner, co-convener of the National African American Clergy Network, and the Rev. Mariann Budde, bishop of Washington’s Episcopal diocese.
Also signing on are a handful of evangelicals who’ve criticized President Donald Trump regardless of his overwhelming reputation amongst white evangelical voters, together with World Vision president emeritus Rich Stearns.
“As faithful citizens, we are praying for a peaceful, smooth, and dignified transfer of power,” reads the assertion, whose signatories had been shared with The Associated Press forward of their launch.
“A delayed and drawn out objection on January 6th would not overturn the will of the American people and change the outcome of the election,” it continues.
The assertion was organized by the progressive teams Vote Common Good Faith 2020; Bend the Arc: Jewish Action; and the Union Theological Seminary. Several of its distinguished signatories, together with Williams-Skinner and Stearns, weren’t among the many religion leaders who publicly endorsed Biden final yr.
A dozen GOP senators and scores of House Republicans are anticipated to reject certification of Biden’s victory when Congress meets to rely Electoral College votes on Wednesday.
They have cited Trump-backed claims of vote fraud, regardless of settlement amongst nonpartisan election officers and the president’s not too long ago departed lawyer common that widespread voter fraud didn’t happen.
The anticipated objections have break up the GOP and will not be anticipated to cease Biden’s final certification. Biden’s transition spokesman has dismissed the gambit as a “stunt.”
Some well-known voices within the spiritual proper have additionally amplified the unfounded claims of fraud. Last month evangelical radio host Eric Metaxas and different spiritual conservatives spoke at a “Jericho March” for Trump supporters in search of to protest the election, and the identical group is organizing one other occasion this week.
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Associated Press faith protection receives help from the Lilly Endowment by means of The Conversation U.S.. The AP is solely liable for this content material.
Elana Schor, The Associated Press
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