Statement by the Board of Directors, Northern Virginia Ethical Society, January, 2011

We condemn intolerance. When America’s political discourse deteriorates into demonizing those with whom we disagree, when Americans deface billboards because we dislike Christian or atheist views, when we hurl anti-Muslim rhetoric in fear, when we blame immigrants for our economic situation, or when we refuse civil rights for lesbian, gay, transgender, and bi-sexual persons, we deny our common humanity. Therefore, we urge all Americans to look within ourselves to find ways to engage with others in empathy, tolerance, and respect.