wfn.org | Civil Rights Leader Urges NCC to Action on Inclusiveness and Justice

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@wfn.org>]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
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Email: news@ncccusa.org
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Contact: NCC News, 212-870-2227
	50th Anniversary Newsroom - Nov. 8-12, 1999 call 216-696-8490

CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER SPEAKS TO INCLUSIVENESS AND JUSTICE

	Nov. 11, 1999, CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A prominent figure in the American civil 
rights movement eloquently and passionately sounded a call for the nation 
to tackle five major societal problems and to reclaim the kingdom and will 
of God as it enters the 21st century.  The Rev. James Lawson, Jr., led a 
forum on  "Inclusiveness and Justice" at the National Council of Churches 
(NCC) 50th anniversary celebration here.

The Rev. Lawson, retired senior minister of Holman United Methodist Church, 
Los Angeles, told about 50 participants that America suffers five social 
plagues: racism, violence, sexism, materialism, and denominational and 
class differences.

	Founder of the student arm of the civil rights movement and a nonviolent 
activist, the Rev. Lawson said America has failed to resolve these social 
issues because it has not carried out God's word.

	"The people of the United States stand as Jeremiah and Jesus did, facing 
the terrible alternative," the Rev. Lawson said. "If we let the status quo 
of the United States win out, we will die as faithful people."  He 
challenged the country to reclaim the kingdom of God in the next century by 
emphasizing the will of God and reflecting the power and nature of God's 
justice.

	"We should make sure our children are children of God," the Rev. Lawson 
said. No one is to be disregarded.  His vision for the next century is 
clear: "The issue is not trust. It is trust in God."

	The Rev. Lawson told the group, "Justice is the highest form of 
love.   Justice is how the people of faith apply passion."

The Rev. Lawson said it is no accident of statistics that 60 percent of 
prisoners are young first-time offenders who have no substantial previous 
record and are incarcerated for non-violent crimes.

	Sexism is another issue the Rev. Lawson addressed.  Some men continue to 
perceive women as simply possessions rather than people, he said.  With 
this outlook, no real progress can be made, he said.

	The Rev. Lawson said materialism is another substantial hindrance in 
society today.  He chided, "the Bible states, The love of money is the root 
of all evil."

	In another forum, the Rev. Dr. George Tinker talked about "Challenging 
Racism." The forum was designed to begin a discussion that will contribute 
to a new NCC policy statement on racial justice and reconciliation. Dr. 
Tinker is an author, theologian and professor of American Indian cultures 
and religious traditions.

	Dr. Tinker addressed the plight of American Indians, who still have the 
lowest income rate of any minority group in the United States, suffer 
limited medical access and endure the culturally insensitive naming of 
sports teams.

	Dr. Tinker said, "I've seen it on television. People in Cleveland and 
Atlanta, for instance, do this at sporting events. White men in the stands 
rooting for their team are wearing red paint all over their faces.  If it 
were black face paint, people would be appalled. Because it's red faced, 
it's `fun,' and they're `just being men.'"

                        - 30 -

  [This report was prepared by Josh Knight, Melissa Titus and Andrea Cole, 
students at Miami University of Ohio.]