Church member and leaders of various religions in our region had plenty to say about President Donald Trump’s recent executive action, but not all of them agree.

 

The temporary ban on immigrants and refugees to the United States, opened up a conversation for congregations.

 

Gary Dull, Sr. Pastor at Faith Baptist Church in Altoona, said his initial reaction was “Our new president kept a campaign promise.”

 

Dull said overall he supports the 90 day ban on immigrants and 120 days for refugees.

 

“I do believe that it’s an effort to strengthen our national security so we can weed out those who might be potential terrorists as well as give us an opportunity to help those who are really in need,” Dull said.

 

He said it’s a brief time period to let the nation re-group and figure out a better vetting system.

 

“Strengthening our homeland security is one way to do that,” Dull said.

 

Michael Ozaki, Reverend at the State College Presbyterian Church, said potential risks aren’t reason enough to cut off 7 countries.

 

“Doing anything because you’re afraid of what might happen, isn’t a very good reason to do that,” Ozaki said.

 

Rabbi David Ostrich leads Congregation Brit Shalom, a Jewish community center in State College.

 

In a written response to the order he said:

 

“We pray that the president will realize the hastiness and haphazard nature of his executive order, revoke it and then take time to address our legitimate security concerns with righteousness and a moral awareness of all of the implications of his eventual plan.”

 

Ozaki said, “God’s people are told to welcome the poor, and the oppressed and the foreigner.”

 

Gary Dull agreed but added, “and every Christian will want to do that but also we must do it in a responsible way.”

 

Ozaki is a member of the Refugee Welcome Committee of Central PA.

 

It’s an organization that was started last year by Elaine Loughlin to help refugees settle in America.

 

“That’s what makes our country great having people come from all over the world, you have to be hopeful and we didn’t know exactly how this would take shape,” Loughlin said.

 

The group has about 60 members, which represent 10 different area-congregations.

 

Arthur Goldschmidt is also a member of the group, and has over 35 years of experience teaching History of the Middle East.

 

“I have a very real concern for the welfare of the people who have been affected by this conflict,” Goldschmidt said.

 

Goldschmidt said now it’s a waiting game for what the group can do next.