American Pastors Network President, Sam Rohrer, recently sent a letter to Gov. Tom Wolf, urging him to to reconsider his position to welcome potentially unvetted Syrian refugees to the Commonwealth.
Below is a copy of his letter:
Nov. 24, 2015
Dear Governor Wolf,
The matter of the resettling of Syrian ‘refugees’ is unfortunately not just controversial due to the economic impact of the resettling of these individuals but it goes to the very heart of the safety of our citizenry in not just Pennsylvania but our entire nation. As Governor of Pennsylvania, you assumed the duty to uphold the laws of this Commonwealth and to provide moral leadership in times of uncertainty and public angst. A primary responsibility you possess is to protect the lives, property, and safety of the citizens of this Commonwealth. Yet, your recent comments about wanting to bring in Syrian refugees seems to cast aside this primary duty and notably places you among a shrinking minority of Governors who are willing to ignore the inherent threat these ‘refugees’ and potential ‘embedded jihadists’ pose.
I am writing to you from two perspectives. One is that of a former 18 year Member of the PA General Assembly and a former candidate for the office you now occupy. I understand both the challenges of leading as well as the lawful duty to our Constitution. But, I also understand the moral duty to God as I write to you as a preacher and the President of the American Pastors Network– the nation’s largest network of pastors and currently also serving as President of the Pennsylvania Pastors Network – representing pastors from over 30 different denominations.
From these two perspectives, I urge you to immediately rescind your decision to accept and place any Syrian ‘refugee’ or any ‘refugee’ in Pennsylvania who embraces the Muslim ideology regardless of the nation from which they hail unless they will affirm in writing their commitment to our Constitution, and forswear Sharia law. With that statement, I know that you immediately might raise the question of ‘religious discrimination’ or denying our historic humanitarian disposition. But this would not be true. I pose these questions as reasons to you for your consideration and the justification for denying acceptance into the Commonwealth of PA.
- If (since) the protection of the Citizens of the Commonwealth is one of your highest duties, how does bringing in Syrian Muslim ‘refugees’ augment or strengthen the security of our citizens?
- Since even the FBI, and leading Congressmen, and this last week the leader of the NYC Syrian community all confirm that it is literally ‘impossible’ or ‘laughable’ for anyone to suggest that anyone can legitimately vet these ‘refugees’ since there is literally no database in Syria and many other nations, there is an overwhelming likelihood that jihadists are among the mix. In light of this, how is the Wolfe administration personally assuring the Members of the Legislature and the citizens that you are not inviting in ‘Islamic embedded jihadists’ under the guise of ‘refugees’ to Pennsylvania?
- Since you have taken an oath to support the Constitution and to enforce the laws of the Commonwealth of PA, what law or Constitutional mandate are you claiming to justify risking property and life of PA citizens?
- How are you responding to numerous communications from Members of the House and Senate urging you to rescind your intent to place potential ‘embedded jihadists’ within our Commonwealth?
- How do you justify the significant economic cost to the taxpayer associated with the placement and acceptance of each person you permit in? What is the number you are using as the immediate and projected costs for each person who you would place and who would receive tax-payer paid benefits?
- What is your driving motivation to risk life and property of PA citizens in these critical days when we are at war with an Islamic ideology that has sworn to destroy not only our nation but the state of Israel? Is there a compelling Constitutional duty? Is there a statutory duty? Is there a Higher Moral law you believe to be following? Is there an economic motivation? Is there is a political motivation?
From every legitimate vantage point, I do not believe there to be a single legitimate motivation to risk life and property by inviting in people who cannot be sufficiently vetted, whose ideology is Islamic and whose commitment is to Sharia law – a mutually exclusive system of law to our Constitution. In addition, regardless as to Sunni, Shia, or Sophi, Islamic sects all are committed by their obligation to the teachings of the Koran to exclusive worship of Allah, world domination, and the ultimate re-creation of a world caliphate, and who at this current time are waging jihad against the US, Israel and the West.
In our Commonwealth – religious freedom is historically and constitutionally rich. Yet, there is no compelling moral, Biblical or historical justification for inviting in those who hold to an exclusive view of their religion and in the name of their religion wage jihad and mandated to cause death and destruction. Since the Biblical, Constitutional, and established purpose of government as outlined by William Penn himself in 1682 is to praise those who do well and enact justice against those violate the law or cause harm to life or property, we believe that your decision to place unvetted and potential ‘embedded jihadists’ poses a legitimate ‘risk’ and should be immediately rescinded.
While I and our pastors pray for you and all other in positions of authority, we pray that God will grant you the wisdom to do that which is right and good. I am ready to speak with you or to provide further insights and assistance personally to more fully understand this matter or other matters of public policy that come before you in your office.
In the Defense of Truth and Freedom,
Sam Rohrer,President & CEO
American Pastors Network
To read an article previously written (published on July 22, 2014) titled, “The Sixth Mark of Judgment: Abuse of Immigrants” please click HERE.
To watch a video interview with Sam Rohrer and Perry Atkinson on DOVE TV discussing this issue, please click HERE.
To read a speech recently delivered by Sam Rohrer on the steps of the State Capitol building in Harrisburg on the Refugee Crisis, click HERE.
Stand in the Gap Today 12/01/15
/in Stand in the Gap Today /by Sam RohrerTom Wallace, Host of “Fortress of Faith” radio ministry dedicated to apologetics toward Islam and Missions to Muslims, joins us today to discuss Islamic theology, eschatology, and terminology, as well as the Syrian refugee situation and it’s impact on United States security.
Letter to Governor Wolf Regarding Syrian Refugees by Dr. Gary Dull
/2 Comments/in Blog /by News RoomNovember 23, 2015
Dear Governor Wolfe:
As representing the Pennsylvania Pastors Network of over 2500 pastors across the state and as serving as senior pastor of the Faith Baptist Church of Altoona I am writing in regard to your policy of accepting Syrian refugees into our beloved Commonwealth. I have read your recent letter to the state lawmakers in which you explain your reasons for allowing the refugees to be relocated here and so I am quite familiar with the arguments you present.
In your letter you say “As governor of Pennsylvania, my first priority is protecting the commonwealth,” to which I totally agree. But, along with many pastors and other citizens across PA I believe the invitation to allow the Syrian refugees to settle here has the potential to bring great harm through possible terrorist activity.
I know that you, President Obama and others in his administration, believe that every refugee can be vetted properly, but it is my concern that the vetting process currently being used may not be totally tested. In addition, any potential ISIS member who would be embedded into the ranks of the refugees possibly has the proper training to slip under the radar and therefore enter into Pennsylvania with the intent to harm our citizens. If that would happen, Sir, the blood of those who would be harmed or killed would be on your hands. And truly, I do not want to see that occur either for your sake or for the sake of every Pennsylvanian who could be at risk.
As a pastor I have great compassion for the poor and needy of war torn countries. I believe the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has a great heritage of providing for those who have suffered from tyrannical governments of the world down through the years. I hold to the fact that immigration is not a bad thing and that many who want to come here to find true liberty and opportunity should be welcomed. But in these days of radical Islamic terrorist activity we all know that not every immigrant or refugee would come to America with a pure motive of searching for a new life, liberty and opportunity. There are those who hate our nation and are bent on bringing us harm and destruction. Genuine Muslim doctrine clearly teaches from the pages of the Koran that those of us who are infidels (non-Muslims) should be killed. A true Muslim supports Sharia Law that in no way agrees with the Constitutions of the United States or Pennsylvania. Consequently great wisdom and understanding must be used in who are allowed to enter our boarders.
In your letter you site the Refuge Act of 1980 which authorizes the president to admit refugees who face persecution on the basis of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular group, or political opinion. But there is reason to believe that this act may be unconstitutional because the original intent of our founders was that the individual states were to handle matters of immigration.
Therefore as a husband, a father, a grandfather, a pastor, a leader of pastors, a citizen of PA, a patriot and one who truly loves this commonwealth, I ask you to please reconsider your policy on inviting Syrian refugees into our boarders. I ask you to join with other governors across the country and stand against a Presidential Policy of immigration that has the possibility of allowing terrorists to enter our land. I ask you to seriously fulfill your duty and priority of protecting the commonwealth by not giving an open door to the Syrian refugees without a tried and true vetting process. I ask you to respond to the Syrian refugee matter from the perspective of the tenth Amendment of the United States Constitution that guarantees the rights of the individual states to have the jurisdiction to govern themselves in such matters and by doing so exercise your duty and responsibility as the elected governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to properly and efficiently protect the welfare of the citizens you serve.
In setting forth the God-given responsibility of civil government, the Bible in Romans 13:1-4 clearly teaches that rulers are “not a terror to good works, but to the evil.” Properly interpreted this admonition means that as our state CEO you, Governor Wolfe, have the duty to exercise your authority to keep all and any potential evil from the citizens and boundaries of Pennsylvania. On behalf of many pastors and residents of our beloved state I ask you please to do so to which we will be very grateful.
Governor Wolfe, as one leader to another, I ask you to seriously and sincerely consider my requests.
Sincerely,
Pastor Gary G. Dull
Vice-President and Executive Director
The Pennsylvania Pastors Network
Senior Pastor of the Faith Baptist Church of Altoona
How Should We Treat Immigrants?
/2 Comments/in News, Release /by News RoomAmerican Pastors Network President, Sam Rohrer, recently sent a letter to Gov. Tom Wolf, urging him to to reconsider his position to welcome potentially unvetted Syrian refugees to the Commonwealth.
Below is a copy of his letter:
Nov. 24, 2015
Dear Governor Wolf,
The matter of the resettling of Syrian ‘refugees’ is unfortunately not just controversial due to the economic impact of the resettling of these individuals but it goes to the very heart of the safety of our citizenry in not just Pennsylvania but our entire nation. As Governor of Pennsylvania, you assumed the duty to uphold the laws of this Commonwealth and to provide moral leadership in times of uncertainty and public angst. A primary responsibility you possess is to protect the lives, property, and safety of the citizens of this Commonwealth. Yet, your recent comments about wanting to bring in Syrian refugees seems to cast aside this primary duty and notably places you among a shrinking minority of Governors who are willing to ignore the inherent threat these ‘refugees’ and potential ‘embedded jihadists’ pose.
I am writing to you from two perspectives. One is that of a former 18 year Member of the PA General Assembly and a former candidate for the office you now occupy. I understand both the challenges of leading as well as the lawful duty to our Constitution. But, I also understand the moral duty to God as I write to you as a preacher and the President of the American Pastors Network– the nation’s largest network of pastors and currently also serving as President of the Pennsylvania Pastors Network – representing pastors from over 30 different denominations.
From these two perspectives, I urge you to immediately rescind your decision to accept and place any Syrian ‘refugee’ or any ‘refugee’ in Pennsylvania who embraces the Muslim ideology regardless of the nation from which they hail unless they will affirm in writing their commitment to our Constitution, and forswear Sharia law. With that statement, I know that you immediately might raise the question of ‘religious discrimination’ or denying our historic humanitarian disposition. But this would not be true. I pose these questions as reasons to you for your consideration and the justification for denying acceptance into the Commonwealth of PA.
From every legitimate vantage point, I do not believe there to be a single legitimate motivation to risk life and property by inviting in people who cannot be sufficiently vetted, whose ideology is Islamic and whose commitment is to Sharia law – a mutually exclusive system of law to our Constitution. In addition, regardless as to Sunni, Shia, or Sophi, Islamic sects all are committed by their obligation to the teachings of the Koran to exclusive worship of Allah, world domination, and the ultimate re-creation of a world caliphate, and who at this current time are waging jihad against the US, Israel and the West.
In our Commonwealth – religious freedom is historically and constitutionally rich. Yet, there is no compelling moral, Biblical or historical justification for inviting in those who hold to an exclusive view of their religion and in the name of their religion wage jihad and mandated to cause death and destruction. Since the Biblical, Constitutional, and established purpose of government as outlined by William Penn himself in 1682 is to praise those who do well and enact justice against those violate the law or cause harm to life or property, we believe that your decision to place unvetted and potential ‘embedded jihadists’ poses a legitimate ‘risk’ and should be immediately rescinded.
While I and our pastors pray for you and all other in positions of authority, we pray that God will grant you the wisdom to do that which is right and good. I am ready to speak with you or to provide further insights and assistance personally to more fully understand this matter or other matters of public policy that come before you in your office.
In the Defense of Truth and Freedom,
Sam Rohrer,President & CEO
American Pastors Network
To read an article previously written (published on July 22, 2014) titled, “The Sixth Mark of Judgment: Abuse of Immigrants” please click HERE.
To watch a video interview with Sam Rohrer and Perry Atkinson on DOVE TV discussing this issue, please click HERE.
To read a speech recently delivered by Sam Rohrer on the steps of the State Capitol building in Harrisburg on the Refugee Crisis, click HERE.
Stand in the Gap Today 11/30/15
/in Stand in the Gap Today /by Sam RohrerPresident Obama said that “No challenge poses a greater threat to future generations than climate change.” Is this true? Is the attempt to blame “right wing extremists” by the media regarding the shooting at a PP clinic “typical left wing tactics” as Carly Fiorina suggests? And what will happen now that the NSA no longer has the sweeping authority to collect phone-record data-despite an increase in terrorist cells?
The King’s Heart
/in Stand in the Gap Minute /by Sam RohrerUnderstanding Unbelievers with Dr. Mark Farnham
/in Stand in the Gap Weekend /by Sam RohrerDr. Mark Farnham shares insights on how to witness to unbelievers from Romans 1. To listen to this entire series, please click HERE. To find out more about Dr. Farnham’s apologetics ministry, please visit his website: www.apologeticsforthechurch.org.
Stand in the Gap Today 11/27/15
/in Stand in the Gap Today /by Sam RohrerWill you be shopping on Black Friday? What is the history behind it and what does it say about the American people? Can the Syrian refugees be compared to the Pilgrims coming to the new World as President Obama suggests?
Stand in the Gap Today 11/25/15
/in Stand in the Gap Today /by Sam RohrerTed Cruz surges in the polls as foreign policy tops the list of importance for voters, while President Obama continues to push for Syrian refugees in the US. What are others saying about the “vetting” process and how is the narrative in the Middle East changing as Russia and Turkey square off?
Stand in the Gap Today 11/24/15
/in Stand in the Gap Today /by Sam RohrerWhat does the Constitution really say about discrimination against immigrants based on their religion? Will Turkey’s action against the Russian jet propel NATO involvement in the Middle East? Is President Obama showing his duplicity by his policy of discrimination Christian immigrants?
“The Plague of Terrorism” with Dr. Gary Dull
/in Stand in the Gap Weekend /by Sam Rohrer