With recent deadly terrorist attacks in Paris, Beirut and Baghdad prompting a debate in the United States over the country’s decision to accept additional Syrian refugees, national leaders of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are strongly urging lawmakers to resist a knee-jerk reaction to close the door and the border to innocent victims of the war in Syria.

In a statement released Nov. 17, "Not Terrorists; Not Tourists: Refugees are Human Beings," UCC and Disciples executives speak out against the current comments from many politicians — including the governors of 24 states who say they will not accept Syrian refugees for resettlement — along with members of Congress and U.S. mayors, who want the Obama administration to rethink the refugee policy, which will admit 10,000 Syrians in 2016.

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