Declaration on Human Relations Addressing Racism, Caste Systems, Tribalism, and Ethnocentrism
VOTED to adopt the document “One Humanity: Declaration on Human Relations Addressing Racism, Caste Systems, Tribalism, and Ethnocentrism” as follows:
One Humanity: Declaration on Human Relations Addressing Racism, Caste Systems, Tribalism, and Ethnocentrism
The moral duty to proclaim biblical principles in the treatment of other human beings has become fundamental as the world increasingly recognizes the persistent scourge of racial injustice, tribal conflicts, and intolerance within caste systems that affects millions of people across societies and regions worldwide. “From one man [God] made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth” (Acts 17:26), and Jesus teaches us to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:39). The Seventh-day Adventist Church acknowledges the important responsibility to make clear its commitments and compassion to a world that awaits words and actions in harmony with the teachings of Jesus. Our commitment comes from our mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to “every nation, tribe, language and people” (Revelation 14:6) in our troubled world, recognizing that only Christ can change the human heart.
Seventh-day Adventists are committed to the unchanging biblical truths that reveal that humans were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Based on the creation account in the book of Genesis, we believe in the immutable equality given by God to all people at all times, places, and circumstances. We all descend from Adam and Eve, our original ancestors, which makes humanity one family (Genesis 3:20). Even the tragic results of human choice to rebel against God have not erased the enduring relationships between humans. Distinctions of race, ethnicity, caste, and tribe are used to segment and sinfully divide the fundamental unity that God intended for humans to experience with Him and with one another.
We maintain our loyalty to the biblical principles of equality and dignity of all human beings in the face of historical and ongoing attempts to use skin color, place of origin, caste, or lineage as a pretext for oppressive and dominating behavior. These attempts are a denial of our shared humanity, and we deplore all aggression and prejudice as an offense to God. However, we recognize that many members of our church worldwide have failed to uphold this biblical truth about the equality of people. Contrary to the teachings and example of Jesus, many believers and church organizations have absorbed sinful and dehumanizing ideas about racial, tribal, caste, and ethnic valuation that lead to practices that harm and damage the human family. This way of thinking and its resulting practices undermine the very truths we are committed to living and teaching. We apologize if in the past we have not spoken or acted more boldly on this issue.
Seventh-day Adventists are members of a global church characterized by diversity, and are committed to being agents of peace and reconciliation in society, showing and defending the biblical truth about our shared ancestry. “For the love of Christ compels us,” leading us to view people from His perspective and to be His “ambassadors” with the “message of reconciliation” in this divided world (2 Corinthians 5:14, 19, 20). We will support and care for the marginalized and mistreated because of their color, caste, tribe, or ethnicity (Matthew 25:40). We believe that those who abuse and mistreat others should, according to biblical principles, be held accountable and will ultimately face divine judgment (Ecclesiastes 12:14; Hebrews 9:27). We will teach and exhort that the truth of God about human origin and equality, according to the Bible, is the most sensible basis for all human relations.
God places a special responsibility on those who have responded to His gracious salvation offered to all (Galatians 3:28) to demonstrate our commitment to equality, justice, and accountability in all human relations. God created each person with their uniqueness, and the powerful divine influence in our lives results in celebrating differences that respectfully honor the human and cultural legacy of each person. We recognize that the ultimate solution to the sins of racism, caste systems, tribalism, and ethnocentrism is the transformation of lives and individual relationships through Christ and His saving power. We accept and embrace our Christian commitment to live as a just, caring, loving, and biblically grounded church, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
God invites all people, from all places, to join the remnant church of biblical prophecy (Revelation 12:17) in proclaiming the eternal gospel that focuses on the justice of Jesus Christ summarized in the three angelic messages (Revelation 14:6-12). These messages must be proclaimed to “every nation, tribe, language, and people,” culminating with the soon return of Christ (Revelation 14:6, 14). We long for a new Heaven and a new Earth, where “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4).