wfn.org | Noko Urges Churches to Speak out Against All Forms of Racism

[franki@elca.org]

Discrimination Violates Individual's God-given Dignity

GENEVA, 22 March 2001 (LWI) - Rev. Dr. Ishmael Noko, general secretary of
the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), has urged LWF member churches to
intensify their self-examination for the manifestation of racism in all its
forms, and to advocate Christ's message of reconciliation and unity among
all people.

"The 'hidden apartheids' which exist in many different societies - based
upon descent, occupation, caste or name - must also be exposed," Noko said
in a statement to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of
Racial Discrimination, marked worldwide on March 21.

Noko particularly encouraged churches to make their voices heard in the
forthcoming World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination,
Xenophobia and Related Intolerance that will take place in South Africa, 31
August to 7 September 2001.

The text of the statement by Dr. Noko follows:

Statement by Dr Ishmael Noko, General Secretary of the Lutheran World
Federation,
on the occasion of the
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
21 March 2001

Amongst the tenets of faith shared by the member churches of the Lutheran
World Federation with all other Christian churches around the world, is the
belief that all human beings have been created in the image of God (imago
Dei) and that every person has an inherent God-given dignity. In the Kingdom
of God, 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."
(Gal. 3:28). We are members of the one body. This fundamental article of
faith leaves absolutely no room for racism, racial discrimination or
xenophobia. Our diversity is a gift from God; not a ground for oppression.
This understanding formed the basis of our determined opposition to the
politically institutionalized racism of apartheid. That system is gone, but
racism regrettably continues to be a feature, and sometimes an increasingly
prominent feature, of politics in many different countries. Wherever a human
being is rejected and abused on the basis of race, churches have a
responsibility to uphold the image of God in that person, to seek justice
and to promote reconciliation.

If politics which promotes racism and racial discrimination is abhorrent to
our faith, how much more abhorrent is racism when it is encountered within
the church? No society, no matter how progressive, can be said to be
entirely free of the taint of racism, and churches all too often fully
reflect the sins of the society of which they are part. The problem is not
outside, but within. In seeking to eliminate racial discrimination, whether
as churches or as societies and governments, we ought first examine our own
hearts, actions and structures.

Since the long-prayed-for demise of the apartheid system, it has become
apparent how deeply entrenched racism and racial discrimination are, and how
numerous their manifestations. In the immigration and asylum policies of so
many different countries, in the treatment of migrant workers, in the
trafficking of persons (especially women and children), in the racist
undertones of international economic relations, in the proliferation and
dissemination of hate speech through the internet, racially discriminatory
attitudes continue to be propagated and must therefore be challenged.

The violence of racism, and the violence it promotes, is a key
characteristic of this and related forms of discrimination. In a period of
history which has seen the shocking consequences of racial discrimination -
in the form of genocide, ethnic cleansing and ethnic conflict - we are
challenged to address racism as a root cause of conflict and of the most
heinous crimes against humanity.

The 'hidden apartheids' which exist in many different societies - based upon
descent, occupation, caste or name - must also be exposed. Racial
discrimination and related forms of discrimination have many different
expressions, only some of which have been adequately recognized. All such
forms of discrimination have, however, the same effects - exclusion,
division, injustice, and suffering - and all such discrimination is an
affront to the God-given dignity of every human being.

On this International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and
at this the beginning of the 21st century, I call upon all member churches
of the Lutheran World Federation to deepen their self-examination for the
manifestations of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia in our own
midst, to speak Christ's message of reconciliation and unity to all those
who seek to exclude and divide on the basis of race or descent, and to
comfort and protect those who suffer the effects of such discrimination.

In this context, I draw the attention of LWF member churches to the
forthcoming World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination,
Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, which will take place in Durban, South
Africa, 31 August to 7 September 2001. It is of great significance that such
a global gathering of concern on the critical issues of racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance should take place in
South Africa, where liberation from racially-inspired oppression has so
recently been experienced. The voices of the churches should be heard in
such a gathering, and on such critical social issues. I hope and pray that
as many LWF member churches as possible will able to engage in this
important process, and to use the occasion to rejoice in the gift of human
diversity, to give a Christian witness of inclusion and reconciliation, and
to re-commit to the essential struggle against racism and similar forms of
discrimination.

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(The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran
tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund (Sweden), the LWF now has 131 member
churches in 72 countries representing over 60.2 million of the nearly 64
million Lutherans worldwide. The LWF acts on behalf of its member churches
in areas of common interest such as ecumenical relations, theology,
humanitarian assistance, human rights, communication, and the various
aspects of mission and development work. Its secretariat is located in
Geneva, Switzerland.)

[Lutheran World Information (LWI) is the information service of the Lutheran
World Federation (LWF). Unless specifically noted, material presented does
not represent positions or opinions of the LWF or of its various units.
Where the dateline of an article contains the notation (LWI), the material
may be freely reproduced with acknowledgement.]

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