A group of religious leaders in Nashville is encouraging congregations to vote against the English-only amendment. But the proposal has its supporters in the faith community.
Their views differ on how to do what’s best for the city’s non-English speakers.
The coalition Faith Leaders for All of Us includes ministers, rabbis, priests and imams. It’s part of the broader Nashville For All Of Us, a grassroots effort to vote down English-Only.
Reverend Jay Voorhees of Antioch United Methodist Church says the leaders share a common value in opposing the amendment.
“It’s part of our scriptures that say we are supposed to welcome the stranger, we’re supposed to welcome the alien, we’re supposed to offer hospitality, and that we have a religious responsibility to do so.”
“Well, I don’t believe embracing the stranger requires us to not tell them, ‘Hey, here’s how things work. You may want to get on the same page as everybody else.’”
That’s Pastor Maury Davis of Cornerstone Church; he argues the amendment would help non-English speakers.
“We rob people of being able to realize the potential of the American way of life and the American dream by not requiring them to learn the language.”
There’s no public religious coalition in favor of English-only. The opposing group boasts support from over 200 community religious leaders.
WEB EXTRA:
Click to see the list of faith leaders opposing English-only. The amendment would require all metro government communications be in English, with exceptions for health and safety.
Early voting continues through Jan. 17. Election day is Jan. 22.
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