Theological Statement on Racism and Anti-Discrimination
Racism
What We Believe
We believe the way we treat people is an issue of faith. We recognize that the Bible outlines explicit ways we are to treat one another, and that there is no room in our faith tradition for casting people aside into any margin of society. We believe that people are and should be treated equally, as we are all the beloved children of God. We believe fervently that racism is a sin, and outside the bounds of God’s call.
Why We Believe It
Since the initial arrival of Europeans to North America, racism has plagued our country. From the mass murder and forceful assimilation of Native Americans, to the kidnapping of Africans from their homes and forced slavery for over 350 years, White European culture engaged in a systemic process of deculturalization and devaluation which stripped these peoples from their existence within full humanity. This process established a sinful birth of a country, which actively chose to misappropriate scripture to justify its means of power and authority, while engaging in a tremendous loss of multiple languages, cultures, and values.
After centuries of accumulated wealth and power within the White European population in the United States, our neighbors of color have never gained equity. It’s true that they may be defined as “free”, but individuals of color have been regulated, imprisoned, devalued, ostracized, discriminated against, murdered, and held back from the same opportunities for the entirety of our existence as a country. As people of faith, we emphatically state that this is unacceptable.
Scriptures teach us about justice and equality over and over again. Isaiah 61:8 tells us that the LORD loves justice, while hating robbery and wrongdoing. This text is quoted by Jesus as he stands in his home synagogue, declaring that justice is his mission on earth.[1] Throughout his ministry on earth, Jesus consistently stood on the side of the oppressed, and sought to balance the scales of justice and love throughout the world.[2] It is from this example, we stand alongside those who have been oppressed and seek to balance the scales now.
What We Advocate
Conversations about race and the reality of racism involve deep and difficult issues. We are committing ourselves as an organization to the reparative work of truth, reconciliation, justice, and equity for all individuals, regardless of their race. We call upon ourselves to commit to the following:
· Respect for and recognition of the human dignity of every person;
· A process of learning and unlearning, which will seek to uplift voices in order to learn, and commit to unlearning that which may be embedded within us;
· Reforms in those systems of our country, which intentionally or unintentionally, have been crafted carefully to keep power held in isolation, and people of color left as outcasts;
· Confession of the sin of complicity and unconscionable benefits of a culture of white supremacy;
· The work of reparations for the harm that has been unjustly distributed for multiple centuries without any form of justice or atonement;
· Advocacy for complete and full equity, which will often involve standing against those in positions of power, who seek to continue acts of oppression through overt racism and disparity.
[1] Luke 4:17
[2] Mark 2:1-12; Mark 3:1-6; Matt. 4:23-25; Matt. 5:1-26; Matt. 7; Matt. 9:2-8, 34; Matt. 10: 34-42; Matt. 11:28-30; Matt. 13:56-58; Matt. 22: 39; Luke 5:15; Luke 7; Luke 11; John 4; and numerous other examples of justice work within the ministry of Jesus.
Anti-discrimination
What We Believe
We believe in the equality and equity of all God’s children, without exception, and that no person should experience discrimination regardless of their sex, religion, race, immigration status, sexual orientation, political affiliation, age, gender identity/gender expression, ability, or socio-economic status. We will advocate for the rights of every person to live as they are, to the point that it does not affect another’s rights to live as they are. We affirm that all people are beloved by God, and should be treated as such, in cohesion with the commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves.[1]
Why We Believe It
The reaches of the ministry of Jesus was never limited, just as the love of God comes to each person without strings attached. Love of neighbor was extended to every individual regardless of social circumstances. This was such an emphatic part of the ministry of Jesus, that Paul emphasizes this point as he writes to the churches in Galatia reminding them that “As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus”.[2] In this statement, Paul reminds churches that the ways in which individuals used to separate one another is no longer valid, for all are welcome in the love and way of Christ Jesus.
The ways in which humanity has drawn lines around people in order to decide who to separate, exclude, or praise, and uplift, are a social distinction that should be erased through the sacrificial love of Jesus. Through the actions, ministry, and death of Jesus, the love of God was expanded far and wide to include each and every individual on earth regardless of social circumstance.
What We Advocate
The insistence on individuals to make stands around who is and who is not worthy of the love of God is something we commit to working to correct within the body of humanity. We will do this by committing to the following:
· Respect for and recognition of the human dignity of every person;
· Advocate for pay equity, employee protections, equal access to healthcare, amongst other programs where individuals are not regarded as equal;
· The determination that all people have the right to live equally under the law;
· An emphatic position that abuse or mistreatment of any individual is unacceptable no matter the circumstances.
[1] Mark 12:31
[2] Galatians 3:27-28 (NRSV)