Area Religious Leaders Support Sikh Community in Mourning Shooting Victims

Along with the Sikh community of the Chicago area, religious leaders of varying faiths gathered Monday at the the deaths of victims of the , and offer words of support and encouragement.

Rev. Linda Tossey, pastor at Community Baptist Church in Warrenville said the tragedy in Wisconsin has called worshipers of all religions together.

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She commended the Sikh center for their hospitality and for welcoming the community in a time of sorrow, when they could have shut out the world.

“We would have understood if you had chosen to close ranks, and yet you have opened your hearts and your doors,” she said. “In the midst of what was life-taking, you offered what is life-giving—generosity, kindness, hospitality and unity.”

Mormon Bishop Greg Brim offered his service or assistance after the "terrible atrocity."

"We express our love to you," he said.

From the Jewish faith, Lonnie Nasatir, director of the Chicago-area Anti-Defamation League, suggested action."

"We have resources, I have spoken (with Ravi Singh) about programs, trainings we can do to help people stay safe."

Nasatir said his organization works to fight anti-Semitism, bigotry and hatred.

“One thing we learned from the horrific events yesterday is clearly, our work is not done,” Nasatir said.

Paul Bishop, of the Evangelical Covenant Church in Glen Ellyn said the shooting is a sign that members of all religions must work together until the term “white supremacy,” becomes an “oxy moron in its usage” in America.

“I’m praying for the day in America when culture and its differences are neither good nor bad, neither right nor wrong, just simply different. I pray for that day to peacefully occur in our country,” he said.

“I’m here as a first generation Caucasian American… along with Indian Americans, but the key word here is ‘American.’”

Nasatir said what happened Sunday, "cuts to the heart of what we’re all about in terms of the ability of Americans to freely practice their religion, and never have to experience what they experienced.”

“The outpouring of love and affection I’ve seen (here) gives me great confidence… that as Americans, we can be who we want to be,” he said.