divisive sin that threatens the Body of Christ. The Bishops

SEVENTH DAY 

recognize that the sin of racism and economic oppression

are so intertwined, the  movement towards authentic

ADVENTIST CHURCH

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justice demands a simultaneous attack on both evils. 

 Racism is a sin that says some human beings are

 And opening his mouth, Peter said: `I most certainly

inherently superior and others essentially inferior because

understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but

of race...It mocks the words of Jesus: Treat others the way

in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is

you would have them treat you...Racism is more than a

right is welcome to Him.'  

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disregard for the words of Jesus; it is a denial of the truth

of the dignity of each human being revealed by the

The Seventh day Adventists assert that one of the odious

mystery of the incarnation. 

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evils of our day is racism, the belief or practice that views

The Church asserts that racism can only be overcome

or treats certain racial groups as inferior and therefore

by looking to Jesus. Those who live by the words of

justifiably the object of domination, discrimination, and

Christ, must recognize that in Him,  there is neither Jew,

segregation.

nor Greek, male nor female; for all are one  (Galatians

While the sin of racism is an age old phenomenon

3:28).

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based on ignorance, fear, estrangement, and false pride,

The Church recognizes that racism is a systemic

some of its ugliest manifestations have taken place in our

societal construct that invades all sectors of our society.

time. Racism and irrational prejudices operate in a vicious

 The structures of our society are subtly racist, for these

circle. Racism is among the worst of ingrained prejudices

structures reflect the values which society upholds. They

that characterize sinful human beings. Its consequences

are geared to the success of the majority and the failure of

are generally more devastating because racism easily

the minority; and members of both groups give unwitting

becomes permanently institutionalized and legalized and

approval by accepting things as they are. 

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in its extreme manifestations can lead to systematic

Many people, according to the Church, believe that

persecution and even genocide.

racism is a product of the past because our national laws

The Seventh day Adventist Church deplores all forms

no longer advocate segregation. Yet, the Bishops point out

of racism.

that the  continuing existence of racism becomes apparent

Seventh day Adventists want to be faithful to the

however, when we look beneath the surface of our

reconciling ministry assigned to the Christian church. As

national life as, for example, in the case of unemployment

a worldwide community of faith, the Seventh day

figures. 

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Adventist Church wishes to witness to and exhibit in her

Racism is apparent when we observe that the

own ranks the unity and love that transcend racial

population in our prisons  consists disproportionately of

differences and overcome past alienation between races.

minorities; that violent crime is the daily companion of a

Scripture plainly teaches that every person was created

life of poverty and deprivation; and that the victims of

in the image of God, who  made of one blood all nations

such crimes are also disproportionately non white and

of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth. 

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Racial

poor. Racism is also apparent in the attitudes and

discrimination is an offense against our fellow human

behavior of some law enforcement officials and the

beings, who were created in God's image. In Christ  there

unequal availability of legal assistance. 

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is neither Jew nor Greek. 

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Therefore, racism is really a

The Catholic community in the United States does not

heresy and in essence a form of idolatry, for it limits the

intend to sit idle while racism destroys those made in the

fatherhood of God by denying the brotherhood of all

image of God.  The church is truly universal, embracing

mankind and by exalting the superiority of one's own race.

all races, for it is the visible sacrament of this saving unity 

The standard for Seventh day Adventist Christians is

(Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, 9). 

acknowledged in the Church's Bible based Fundamental

The Church has proclaimed that human beings are

Belief No. 13,  Unity in the Body of Christ.  Here it is

created in the image of God. As the Holy Father Pope

pointed out:  In Christ we are a new creation; distinctions

John Paul II has written:  on account of the mystery of

of race, culture, learning, and nationality, and differences

the redemption (every human being) is entrusted to the

between high and low, rich and poor, male and female,

solicitude of the church.  The human being is  the

must not be divisive among us. We are all equal in Christ,

primary and fundamental way for the church  (Remptor

who by one Spirit has bonded us into one fellowship with

Hominis, 13, 14).

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Him and with one another; we are to serve and be served

without partiality or reservation. 

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