Georgetown Pastor Decries Anti-Muslim Ban

The pastor of a Georgetown church was sharply critical of the Trump administration's anti-Muslim refugee policy on Sunday, declaring that "human decency demands of us that we help refugees fleeing the terror of their homeland."

The Rev. Mary Kay Totty of Dumbarton United Methodist Church (3133 Dumbarton St. NW) said the Bible is clear on the subject:

"Do not mistreat foreigners who reside in your land. The foreigner who lives among you must be treated like one of your own. Love them as you love yourself, for you too were a foreigner in the land of Egypt," says Leviticus 19:33-34.

Said Totty, "Our tradition demand of us that we extend a welcome to the stranger and the refugee in our midst. Human decency demands of us that we help refugees fleeing the terror of their homeland. And this week, there have been presidential executive orders calling for a ban on Muslims entering the country — even those with green cards and visas. As followers of Jesus, we need to speak out against this discrimination and religious bigotry.

"We need to stand with our Muslim sisters and brothers. We must resist the fear and hatred that is being stirred up because of the rash actions of the president. If you have Muslim friends reach out to them this
week — call them, have them over for coffee, see if they would like company for running errands or commuting. If you live somewhere besides D.C., write your Congress people requesting that they find ways and means to override the presidential ban on Muslims. And pray. Pray, send your
prayers, your love out into this world."