U.S. Rep. Todd Akin, R-St. Louis
– As more criticism emerged in reaction to comments made by Rep. Todd Akin, R-St. Louis, on a radio show last week that liberalism is centered on a “hatred for God,” the U.S. Senate hopeful continued to stand by those remarks, but offered an apology to those who took offense.
“People, who know me and my family, know that we take our faith and beliefs very seriously. As Christians, we would never question the sincerity of anyone’s personal relationship with God,” Akin said. “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.”
That was not enough for several St. Louis clergy, who late Tuesday evening announced they will be delivering a letter to Akin’s congressional district office. The letter will call on Akin to apologize for the remarks directed toward liberals, and express hope that Akin will carry a sense of “civility, compassion and justice in the future.”
“[I]n 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,” four clergy members wrote. “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.”
The letter will be delivered and signed by Rev. Kevin Cameron, Senior Pastor of Parkway United Church of Christ in St. Louis; Rev. Jeffrey A. Whitman, Conference Minister for the Missouri Mid-South Conference (United Church of Christ); Rev. Dale Bartels, Senior Pastor of St. John’s United Church of Christ in Chesterfield, MO; and Rev. Krista Taves, Minister of Emerson Unitarian Universalist Chapel in Ellisville, MO.
Akin is running for the GOP nomination to challenge Sen. Claire McCaskill. While Democrats have denounced the comments, Akin’s primary opponent Sarah Steelman has not made comments about his remarks.
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