June 3, 2020
We Renounce . . .
We renounce any futile efforts to explain away the reprehensible murder of George Floyd. He is only one in a long, long line of victims of racial abuse. The resulting grief and rage and anxiety and frustration crash in like a constant hurricane. An ocean of tears cannot wash away the pain.
We renounce the “whataboutisms” employed to deflect and diminish the personal, perpetual tragedy of racism. “Oppression can survive only through silence” (Carmen de Monteflores).
We renounce misguided claims purporting that the Black Lives Matter movement necessarily devalues any other lives. A rising tide lifts all boats. This movement includes all races, and unity is strengthened with diversity. In addition, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” (Martin Luther King Jr.).
We renounce the spurious assertion that protests against injustice are “unAmerican.” On the contrary, “If there is no place for civil disobedience, then the government has been made autonomous, and as such, it has been put in place of the living God” (Francis Schaeffer).
We Regret . . .
We regret that our country, the United States of America, while founded on inspiring and liberating principles, is also built on the backs of millions of slaves. Ours is a tarnished history of racial horrors—families ripped apart, lynchings, rapes, murders, systemic oppression and inherent devaluation.
We regret that violence is ever viewed as a valid way to solve abiding problems. Martin Luther King Jr. understood that effective nonviolence is not passive.
“Nonviolent resistance is not a method for cowards; it does resist.”
“Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the [person] who wields it. It is a sword that heals.”
“Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him.”
We regret that broad-brush stereotypes of feral looters and brutal law enforcement officers have gained ascendency. Though the criminal justice system is deeply flawed and warrants restructuring, we believe that most protesters and officers are working to achieve a common good. We are heartened by examples of protesters and officers kneeling, conversing, and marching together.
We regret any prejudicial behaviors we have demonstrated that have sown mistrust and turned away open-hearted people from our church community and the God we cherish. Please forgive us.
We Resolve . . .
We resolve to speak up in solidarity with and for all who are marginalized, particularly the Black community in this moment, using our privileges to protect and sustain the vulnerable, especially children. With clarity and boldness we will enter individual situations and do our balanced best to challenge bigotry and to treat everyone—everyone—with authentic respect and love, as beings made in the image of God.
We realize this approach calls for self-awareness, discipline, perseverance, and courage. It’s not an easy stroll, but it is the only path to realistic hope, unsinkable joy, and lasting peace.
We resolve as Seventh-day Adventists to “do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8), to be true followers of Jesus, “proclaiming release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, and setting free those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18).
We resolve to effect positive change as engaged, knowledgeable citizens who vote in local, state, and national elections. We point people toward The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights toolkit entitled, “New Era of Public Safety: An Advocacy Toolkit for Fair, Safe, and Effective Community Policing.”
We resolve that when the roll is called on the other side of life, God will whisper to us, “Well loved, well learned, and well done, good and faithful servants.” As we now listen to God’s voice we will find our own.
San Luis Obispo Seventh-day Adventist Church
Chris Blake, Lead Pastor
sloadventist.org