Akin won't meet with clergymen

A hectic schedule and lack of advance notice will prevent Rep. Todd Akin, R-MO from meeting with clergymen who are delivering a letter to him today protesting his characterization of liberals as being anti-God.

The following news release was issued moments ago by Akin's office:

"Our office learned of the intention by various pastors to deliver a letter via media reports late yesterday. Unfortunately we had no request from any organization or individuals for a meeting today made to the office of Congressman Todd Akin."

The news release was in reference to an announcement Tuesday from Faith in Public Life, which is reprinted below:

Tomorrow, clergy from Congressman Todd Akin’s district near St. Louis, MO, will deliver a statement to Rep. Akin, calling on him to apologize for his attack on liberal and progressive people of faith and reminding him that “such insulting pronouncements degrade our nation’s political dialogue and are unworthy of a public servant who claims to represent the interests of all of his constituents.”


Last week, in a webcast hosted by Religious Right organization Family Research Council, Akin said “…At the heart of liberalism, really, is a hatred for God and a belief that government should replace God.”

Clergy including Rev. Kevin Cameron, Senior Pastor of Parkway United Church of Christ in St. Louis; Rev. Jeffrey A. Whitman, Conference Minister for the Missouri Mid-South Conference (United Church of Christ); Rev. Dale Bartels, Senior Pastor of St. John’s United Church of Christ in Chesterfield, MO; and Rev. Krista Taves, Minister of Emerson Unitarian Universalist Chapel in Ellisville, MO, will deliver the statement tomorrow, Wednesday, June 29 at 11:00 a.m. CDT to Rep. Akin’s St. Louis district office (301 Sovereign Ct., Ste. 201, Ballwin, MO 63011).