Stung by the outcry against their pointless political stunt, House Republicans are now desperately trying to reopen the Smithsonian and our National Parks. But these politicians, who got elected by calling themselves pro-life Christians, continue to take food out of the mouths of hungry babies, force poor parents to miss work because child care is shut down, and even jeopardize military death benefits for widows and orphans.

If this reckless bunch spent more time with their Bibles and less time scheming to keep people from getting health insurance, they might have noticed James 1:27: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress.”

This time, let's not let Congress get away with wrapping themselves up in the Bible while ignoring its contents. A diverse group of Christian leaders including Jim Wallis from Sojourners, Sister Simone Campbell of the Nuns on the Bus, and two former U.S. ambassadors to the Vatican just released a powerful statement condemning those perpetrating the shutdown, saying "There is nothing 'pro-life' or Christian about taking food away from pregnant women and babies."



If we all add our names to their statement, we can make sure it gets seen far and wide — and the members of Congress who call themselves Christians may finally have to start answering for their deeply unchristian behavior.

Sign the petition: