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Christian Leaders Respond to the Storming of the U.S. Capitol Building

Kayla Koslosky

Late Wednesday afternoon, Trump supporters attending a “Stop the Steal” rally-turned-violent-riot, stormed the U.S. Capitol building stalling the certification of Joe Biden as the next president of the United States.

According to the Associated Press, at least one person has been shot, five weapons have been recovered and 13 people have been arrested. Police dawning full riot gear have deployed tear gas and percussion grenades to clear people from the Capitol building and the surrounding area. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has also declared a 6 p.m. curfew for the city.

Amid the uprising, many faith leaders have taken strong stances, offering statements condemning the actions of the rioters.

Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler condemned the actions calling it “unleashed anarchy.” He tweeted, “What we are seeing in Washington now is the refutation of our American commitment, a form of unleashed anarchy which is the enemy of ordered liberty, and President Trump is responsible now for unleashing mayhem. Pray that God will rescue is from this.”

Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear called on the President to condemn the violence, writing, “Peaceable transitions of power have marked our Republic since the beginning. It is part of honoring and submitting to God’s ordained leaders whether they were our choice or not. We need you, @POTUS to condemn this mob. Let’s move forward together. Praying for safety.”

Saddleback Church pastor Rick Warren echoed these sentiments writing, “Armed breaching of capitol security behind a confederate flag is anarchy, unAmerican, criminal treason and domestic terrorism. President Trump must clearly tell his supporters ‘We lost. Go home now.’”

In a follow-up tweet, Warren offered Biblical insight on the what it means to be a godly leader. He wrote, “Here's what God says: ‘When the leader is concerned with justice, the nation will be strong, but when he is only concerned with money, he will ruin his country.’ Proverbs 29:4 (TEV)”

President of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Council for the Southern Baptist Convention Russell Moore also condemned the attacks calling them “immoral, unjust, dangerous, and inexcusable.”

He wrote, “This mob attack on our Capitol and our Constitution is immoral, unjust, dangerous, and inexcusable. What has happened to our country is tragic, and could have been avoided.” He then called out President Trump writing, “President @realDonaldTrump, you have a moral responsibility to call on these mobs to stop this dangerous and anti-constitutional anarchy. Please do so.”

Author and Oak Hills Church pastor Max Lucado, who also voiced disgust over the attacks, offered his prayers over the situation. He wrote, “Deeply disturbed by today's chaos in DC. Joining with all who are praying for a return to tranquility and peace.”

Christian speaker and author Beth Moore also chimed in, insisting that the Jesus some of the rioters were touting was not the Jesus of the Bible. "I don't know the Jesus some have paraded and waved around in the middle of this treachery today. They may be acting in the name of some other Jesus but that's not Jesus of the Gospels," she wrote.

Early Wednesday evening, President Trump issued a controversial statement to rioters saying that he loves them, but they need to go home.

“I know your pain. I know your hurt. We had an election that was stolen from us. It was a landslide election, and everyone knows it, especially the other side, but you have to go home now. We have to have peace,” he said.

“We have to have law and order. We have to respect our great people in law and order. We don’t want anyone hurt. It’s a tough period of time. There’s never been a time like this where such a thing happened, where they can take it away from all of us … from me, from you, from our country. This was a fraudulent election, but we can’t play into the hands of these people. We have to have peace. So, go home. We love you, you’re very special. You’ve seen what happens. You see the way others are treated that are so bad and so evil. I know how you feel, but go home.”

Related:

Trump Supporters Storm Capitol: 'As Close to a Coup Attempt as This Country Has Ever Seen'

Chaos in Washington as Protesters Descend on the Capitol: Two Biblical and Urgent Responses

Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Jon Cherry/Stringer

Kayla Koslosky is the former Editor of ChristianHeadlines.com. She has B.A. degrees in English and History and previously wrote for and was the managing editor of the Yellow Jacket newspaper. She has also contributed to IBelieve.com and Crosswalk.com.