Evangelical group calls for wide respect, not acrimony

A circle of evangelical Christian leaders has set up a new campaign to emphasize that all people—gay, liberal, unbeliever, undocumented or otherwise— reflect the image of God.

The founders of Imago Dei include Focus on the Family president Jim Daly, film producers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, Liberty Law School dean Mat Staver and evangelist James Robison.

Leading the cause is pastor Samuel Rodriguez, president of the large National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference. “If we had the image of God in mind for every human being, we could change the world,” he said. “I want Christians to be known not for what we oppose but for what we propose.”

Blogger Jennifer LeClaire, news editor of Charisma magazine, described the campaign as a Holy Spirit–inspired response to the rise of incivility. She reported that the foundation of Imago Dei is this statement: “I recognize that every human being, in and out of the womb, carries the image of God—without exception. Therefore, I will treat everyone with love and respect.”

This article was edited Feb. 4, 2014.