Leaders from diverse faith traditions are unified in condemning yesterday's tragic shooting at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, a horrific manifestation of ideological intolerance and hate.

We've compiled statements from Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and Baha'i leaders, in response to the attack and the death of Holocaust Museum security guard Stephen Tyrone Johns.

Rabbi Eric Yoffie, President of the Union for Reform Judaism:

"That today's shooting at the United States Holocaust Museum should take place at a site expressly created to teach the world about the destruction and devastation brought about by human evil deepens the resonance of this terrible act."

More here from Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism.

Ron Halber, Executive Director of Jewish Community Relations Council of Washington:

"This is a cowardly attack... Like all acts of terrorism, the point is to install fear in Americans and specifically Jews. We're not going to let that happen."

Rabbi M. Bruce Lustig, Senior Rabbi of Washington Hebrew Congregation:

"The Torah says we're not supposed to stand idly by blood of another. When anyone is attacked, we're all attacked...These incidents make us understand that we as society need to respond. We need to be vigilant and protect each other."

Salam Al-Marayati, Executive Director of Muslim Public Affairs Council:

"Our prayers go out to the victim's family...Tragic incidents like this one only strengthen our commitment to combating intolerance in all forms through education and dialogue."

Council on American-Islamic Relations:

"We condemn this apparent bias-motivated attack and stand with the Jewish community and with Americans of all faiths in repudiating the kind of hatred and intolerance that can lead to such disturbing incidents."

Imam Mohamed Majid, Vice President of the Islamic Society of North America:

"Bigotry and racism undermine social order and incite people to violence and must be denounced by all people of good will."

Pamela K. Taylor, Co-Founder of Muslims for Progressive Values:

"I stand today in solidarity with the Jewish community. My blood ran cold when I read about the shootings in the U.S. Holocaust Museum in Washington -- the choice of venue and the clear implications that there are those who would like to revive the Holocaust is horrific for me as a non-Jew; how much more so it must be for my Jewish neighbors and friends. I pray for your safety and your peace of mind."

Rev. John H. Thomas, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ:

"The near destruction of the Jewish communities of Europe experienced in the Holocaust is still a living memory for survivors, and is a defining historical episode for Jews and for many others as well...This attack on the Holocaust Museum will only heighten fears of increased anti-Semitic violence against Jews in our country. This is why we must stand with people of the Jewish faith in denouncing this brutal act."

The Rev. Ralph Kuehner, a retired priest with the Archdiocese of Washington:

"[Attacks like these should serve as] constant reminders of the fight for freedom and justice. It shows how far people will go if there is no act of opposition. We have to keep fighting."

Susan Brooks Thistlewaite, Former President of Chicago Theological Seminary:

"I believe that religious leaders and civic leaders who feel that stoking feelings of alienation and fear are not good for the country need to speak out clearly. We need to explain, connect, reassure and find common ground where we can. We need to say unambiguously that no religion supports hate-motivated violence."

Kenneth E. Bowers, Secretary General of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'i Faith:

"I am grieved and profoundly dismayed by the killing of a security guard at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum today in an act of unbridled hatred and bigotry. According to press reports, the killer had spent his life consumed with hatred toward Blacks and Jews and had a history of racist violence. Such ingrained prejudices are a spiritual disease, a cancer that eats into the vitality of our society in ways that reach deep into our collective life and whose full impact can hardly be estimated."

Update: The USCCB released a statement yesterday after our original posting.

Cardinal Francis George, President of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops:

"This tragic incident only serves to reinforce the need for continued education throughout society against bias of every kind, but most especially racial and religious prejudice."