Faith leaders reject hard line

From Philadelphia-

In rare agreement across faith and ideological lines, leaders of major American religious groups have condemned proposed bans on Syrian refugees, contending a legitimate debate over security has been overtaken by irrational fear and prejudice.

Top organizations representing evangelicals, Roman Catholics, Jews, and liberal Protestants say close vetting of asylum seekers is a critical part of forming policy on refugees. But these religious leaders say such concerns, heightened after the Paris attacks a week ago, do not warrant blocking those fleeing violence in the Middle East.

"The problem is not the Syrian refugees," said Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami, who noted how Florida has welcomed many Cuban refugees over the years. "This is falling into the trap of what the terrorists wanted us to become."

more here-

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/nation_world/20151122_Faith_leaders_reject_hard_line.html