“WE STAND UNITED,” the Saugus Faith Community declares, condemning anti-Semitic banner

  Dear Editor:

  Recently, a small group of masked white nationalists displayed an anti-Semitic banner across U.S. Route 1 in our community. Although it appears they were not from Saugus, their action illustrates the scope of hatred that has become endemic in our society. Hateful and divisive rhetoric of this type is spreading across our country; a country founded on the principles of religious freedom.

  We, members of the Saugus Faith Community (SFC), denounce the bigoted act of the white nationalists and stand in solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters. Our faith teaches us that we are all created equal in God’s family. It teaches us the importance of “loving our neighbors as we love ourselves,” and that we are one Family within one Creation. There is no room for intolerance of any type. That is one of the guiding principles of all major faiths. It is the message clearly found in the Bible and other major religious texts.

  We pray for those who find it necessary to elevate themselves by attempting to marginalize others. Their strategy will not succeed because in the end, light overcomes darkness; love overcomes hatred; and good overcomes evil.

  Saugus Catholics Collaborative; Rev. Jason Makos; Deac. Francis Gaffney

  East Saugus UMC; Pastor Pat Oduor

  First Baptist Church; Pastor Leroy Mahoney; Min. Robyn Mars; Rev. Ed Bernard

  Cliftondale Church of the Nazarene; Rev. Franklin Lowe; Rev. E. Lewis MacLean

  Cliftondale Congregational Church; Pastor Joe Hoyle

  First Congregational Church; Rev. Bill Ladd

  St. John’s Episcopal Church; Rev. John Beach

  New Hope Assembly; Senior Pastor Wayne Shirk

  Mr. Dennis Gould

  Ruth’s Way for Women; Nicole O’Brien, Founder/Exec. Dir.