Attacks on Places of Worship: Standing Together Against Hate

A Week of Violence Against Sacred Spaces

Parents for Peace expresses deep concern and sorrow about the recent attacks on places of worship. These spaces should always be a sanctuary, never a target. In just the course of one week, we saw an assailant set fire on Peacehaven Mosque in the United Kingdom, right after evening prayers. It comes in the same week that saw attacks on a Latter-day Saints (LDS) Church in Michigan and a Synagogue in Manchester. 

Attacks like these are acts against humanity. Each of these assaults strikes at more than brick and mortar; they target the human spirit, our shared freedom to gather, to pray, and to belong. The pain and fear are shared, and so too must be our response.

We cannot afford to normalize this climate of hate. The growing willingness to see entire communities as enemies and to justify violence against them, signals a dangerous unraveling of our social fabric. Polarization is not just a political issue; it is a deeply deeply human one. And every act of arson, every gunshot, every slur is a reminder that words and ideas can escalate to violence.

Who We Are and Why We Show Up

At Parents for Peace, we believe that understanding is the antidote to hate. We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing radicalization, extremism, and violence through early intervention and education. Our mission is grounded in compassion, community, and courage, working with parents, frontline professionals, educators, and faith leaders to recognize and address the warning signs of extremist behavior before it turns into tragedy.

Part of this mission takes us into the very spaces now under threat: community centers, churches, mosques, temples, synagogues and other sacred spaces. We speak in these halls not to preach or convert, but to listen, learn, and build bridges. We sit with people as they are, no matter their faith or non-faith background, because the simple act of presence can dissolve mistrust and plant the seeds of understanding, respect, and peace.

In times like these, when controversy and polarization dominate our public life, it is more important than ever to remember that interfaith understanding is not an abstract idea. It is a daily practice, one that requires humility, empathy, and the courage to keep showing up even when the world feels divided.

What We Can Do Together

Parents for Peace calls on parents, faith leaders, educators, law enforcement professionals, and community advocates to work together in identifying and addressing the early signs of radicalization and hate. We know from experience that intervention works, but it requires awareness, compassion, and the courage to act.

Some of the warning signs to watch for include:

• Demonizing entire religious or ethnic groups, especially when buying into conspiracy theories and blaming them for one’s personal problems.

• Glorification of violence or “death rhetoric,” often seen in memes, online forums, or social media posts.

• Unexplained interest in specific religious sites or attempts to visit such places without a legitimate, constructive reason.

• Possession of extremist propaganda or paraphernalia, such as symbols, patches, or literature from groups that promote hate.

  
  

When these patterns begin to emerge, it’s not too late. With compassion and the right tools, families and communities can redirect individuals away from violence and toward understanding.

We are here to help. We have walked this path with hundreds of families and professionals who once felt powerless and learned that the power to prevent violence begins with one conversation.

If you’re worried about someone in your home, classroom, or community, reach out. Together, we can make sure that every place of gathering –whether it’s a church, mosque, synagogue, temple, or gurdwara– remains what it was always meant to be: a place of peace.