destroys the confidence and dreams of numerous non 

United States.

75

In 1964, SCOBA adopted a statement

white people in America. In addition, it leaves many

that denounced racism as  the greatest sin that the free

whites feeling guilty and unable to forge authentic

soul of man can bear. 

76

That statement also upheld  the

relationships with non white people, thereby robbing

rights of free men and women to act as the People of God

themselves of happiness that comes from meaningful

in expressing their right to the God given principles

relationships. 

which no person can be denied because of color or

The ELCA asserts that we all benefit when we

creed. 

77

SCOBA also asserted that  [a]s children of God,

 confront racism and move toward fairness and justice in

made in His image, we urge that all people of all races

society. 

68

 We are one in Christ. 

69

Particularly in its

exercise disciplined restraint in declaring their God given

leadership, ELCA calls for action in the struggle against

beliefs and rights so that these blessings may be freely

racism.  We expect our leadership to name the sin of

gained in a society which constitutionally and spiritually

racism and lead us in our repentance of it...intentional

guarantees these rights. 

78

measures are necessary for vision to become reality. 

70

The ELCA has committed its leadership to  doing

justice.  It has suggested that all church leaders explore

MENNONITE CHURCH AND

the following questions when contemplating the effects of

THE MENNONITE CENTRAL

racism in our society:

COMMITTEE

  How should we confront racism in a diverse society?

The Mennonite Church, a scriptural based faith

  What is the relationship between race, political policy,

community, recognizes that racism can hinder the Church

and crime?

in  becoming more like the church for which our Lord

  How do economic forces work against people of color

prayed  (John 17:11 12, 20 23; Ephesians 1:1 22).

79

 We

in housing, medical care, and employment?

71

recognize with sorrow that we are part of a society

established by invading the lands and the rights of earlier

The ELCA will continue to build a strong  advocacy for

residents and by importing and enslaving other human

justice 

72

and confront  racial and ethnic discrimination.

beings...[W]e intend to become one church of many

We will listen to our advocates as we examine our own

peoples. We recognize that our response to God's will in

institutional life...Our advocacy will take place in

this matter will call for repentance from sinful attitudes in

partnership ecumenically, among corporations and local,

our own hearts. 

80

state, and national governments...Our efforts on behalf of

The Church recognizes that racism  is a particular

local and international community and in opposition to

social reality of evil our Lord asks us to confront in

racism will recognize the multicultural nature of the

becoming God's people. 

81

It is committed to  witness

world. We will promote international respect for human

and work for social justice in our communities. 

82

rights, and support the international movement to

For the Church,  [t]he foundation for our concerns is

eliminate discrimination. 

73

that we have become one in the blood of the crucified

The ELCA asserts the  Church exists to proclaim Jesus

Christ (Eph. 2:14), and our membership is to be drawn

the Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection mean

from every race and tribe and language and nation (Rev.

freedom for the world...[s]o, the Church must cry out for

5:9 10). Our public witness to this fact is an essential part

justice...insist on justice...pursue justice. 

74

The ELCA has

of our evangelism. 

83

begun the process of having its leadership and members

The Church encourages its congregations to  identify

become more conscious of the effects of racism in our

and speak out against all forms of racism in our

society, and the power it has to destroy our country if no

communities. 

84

It recognizes that Christ has broken

action is taken. 

down the wall that separated and caused division.  For he

is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into

GREEK ORTHODOX

one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the

hostility between us  (Ephesians 2:14).

The Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox

Through The Damascus Road Anti Racism Process, an

Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) includes leaders of

Anabaptist Training and Skill Development Program, the

nine Orthodox Church jurisdictions and represents

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and the Brethren

approximately six million Orthodox Christians in the

in Christ are committed to  provide anti racism training

18

DENOUNCING RACISM