Any other approach destroys the heart of the

identify  the importance of understanding the use of

Christian gospel.

power in creating and sustaining racism. And, we realize

that in a racist society, non racism or colorblindness is

passive racism and that only anti racism can move us

UNITARIAN

toward authentic multiculturalism. We came to

UNIVERSALISM

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understand that racism in the United States is an equation

of systemic power and white privilege. To be anti racist is

The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is a

to work toward dismantling racism that is, toward

religious body comprised of two traditions: The

dismantling white privilege and power. 

107

Universalists who organized in 1793, and the Unitarians

who formed in 1825. The groups merged into the UUA

in 1961. Both groups trace their origin to England,

UNITED METHODIST

Poland, and Transylvania. The UUA is a religious

CHURCH

organization that advocates Jewish and Christian

principles. 

The United Methodist Church (UMC), a scriptural based

According to UUA, liberal religion can be defined as

faith community, is committed to opposing racism. The

 the impulse to respect dogma in favor of free inquiry to

Church confesses that  all persons are created in God's

bring to bear the forces of reason in making religious

image  (Genesis 1:26 31) and  to favor some persons over

judgments, while not necessarily denying the reality of

others is to deny God  (Acts 10.15).

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supernatural forces; to be suspicious of religious authority

UMC recognizes  both personal and institutional

that conflicts with individual reason; to replace a

racism  through expressions, attitudes, and social

preoccupation with the metaphysical aspects of theology

patterns.

109

 Racism plagues and cripples our growth in

with an orientation toward living rightly and doing good

Christ, inasmuch as it is antithetical to the gospel itself.

in this world, and to exhibit an optimistic stance toward

Therefore, we recognize racism as sin and affirm the

the possibilities of transforming the world into a saner

ultimate and temporal worth of all persons. 

110

and more humane place through the development of

For UMC,  God does not recognize personal

human potential by education, self cultivation, and a

differences. External differences are of no importance 

beneficent social environment. 

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(Galatians 2:6).

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The Church not only denounces

More than 500 leaders in the UUA have participated

racism, but asserts that society is obligated to  redress

in an extensive anti racism training program. Sixteen

long standing, systemic social deprivation of racial and

congregations have participated in a pilot project that

ethnic people. 

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It encourages  the self awareness of all

includes timelines and goals for training all UUA

racial and ethnic groups and oppressed people that leads

members to move toward an anti racist, anti oppressive

them to demand their just and equal rights as members of

posture. 

society. As the family of God we should strive to emulate

The UUA's Racial and Cultural Diversity Task Force of

God's kindness, tolerance, and patience to one another 

1996 has the following as their vision statement:  An

(Romans 2:4).  In Christ, we are all one. There are no

authentically anti oppressive, anti racist and multicultural

barriers of nation, race, or gender in the eyes of Christ 

Unitarian Universalist faith will be an equitable, pro active

(Galatians 3:28 29).

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sure transforming, prophetic force for justice within our

UMC works to eradicate racism within the Church as

congregation and our communities. This faith will be

well.  The church that is lukewarm on the racism issue is

effective and accountable, both to itself and to our

not a faithful church and will be judged. 

114

To address

communities, through transformative spirituality, justice,

inequalities and discriminatory practices, UMC supports

justice seeking, witness, and action.  

 equal opportunities in employment and promotion;

The UUA recognizes that racism practiced in the

education and training to the highest quality;

United States is an  equation of systemic power and white

nondiscrimination in voting, in access to public

privilege.  It calls its leadership and members to actively

accommodations, and in housing purchase or rental; and

engage those forces that promote racism.

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positions of leadership and power in all elements of our

Since racism is intertwined within systems of culture

life together. 

115

and national philosophy, the UUA encourages its

membership to become active participants in the struggle

to dismantle racism. It is important that each member

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DENOUNCING RACISM