Faith Leaders condemn political violence
In the immediate aftermath of the January 6, 2021 insurrection, religious leaders across the United States moved swiftly to reframe the events as not just political unrest, but a moral and democratic crisis. Leaders from numerous faith traditions condemned the violent attack on the Capitol, denouncing it as a betrayal of American democracy and a perversion of religious values.
Episcopal Bishop Michael Curry described the attack as a “coup attempt,” while Rabbi Jack Moline called it “a violent attack on our democracy.” Statements across denominations made clear: this was not protected protest but sedition, and President Trump bore responsibility. By issuing collective public condemnation and calling for peace, religious leaders helped the public reinterpret the event not as political expression, but as an act of political violence demanding accountability.
At the same time, faith leaders sought to redeem the moral center of their communities, rejecting white Christian nationalism and affirming a theology of peace, equity, and democracy. Black Church PAC and the National Council of Churches highlighted the racialized dimensions of the violence and the threat it posed to both marginalized communities and democracy itself.
Rabbi Jonah Pesner and Pastor Rick Warren insisted on a return to nonviolence and truth. These public statements from respected religious figures helped reveal the ideological roots of the insurrection and resist efforts to normalize or excuse it. By using prayer, public platforms, and media commentary, faith leaders not only modeled a principled response, but reminded the nation of a deeper moral tradition that calls for justice and peace in times of crisis.
Photo credit: DC Capitol Storming. TapTheForwardAssist, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons