Church panel adds its voice to opposition

The Oklahoma Conference of Churches, representing 16 Christian faiths, issued a statement Thursday in opposition to the immigration reform law, calling it "a disastrous effort.”

The conference is not against immigration reform but thinks House Bill 1804 is unjust, said the Rev. George Young, president of the conference's board of directors.

"HB 1804 does not and cannot address the social justice issues inherent in our failed federal policy on immigration,” the statement said.

The statement, released Thursday as the law went into effect, continues:

"HB 1804 represents a disastrous effort to confront the myriad of issues presented by the presence of the undocumented all around us. As such, HB 1804 instigates fear and prejudice, dividing our state and isolating those brothers and sisters born outside our borders.”

The statement urges people consider the morality of state and federal immigration policies.

The Oklahoma conference represents the following denominations: Roman Catholic, United Methodist, Progressive Oklahoma Baptist State Convention, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), African Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal Zion, Christian Methodist Episcopal, Cooperating Baptist Fellowship of Oklahoma, Cumberland Presbyterian, Episcopal, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Mennonites, Presbyterian Church USA, United Church of Christ, Reformed Church in America and Society of Friends.

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