Bishops speak about anti-racism rally
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was murdered on April 4, 1968. Fifty years later, the faith community came together for the A.C.T. To End Racism rally in Washington, D.C. Several United Methodist bishops attended.
United Methodists from across the connection attended the A.C.T To End Racism rally in Washington, D.C. The rally, organized by the National Council of Churchs, was held April 4, 2018, the 50th anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Several United Methodist bishops attended, and a many made statements about why they attended.
Here are some of the highlights:
The rhetoric being used in the public square and even, now, from some pulpits is very troubling. I wonder if Dr. King, if he were still alive, would wonder today if he was in time warp. I hope we awaken to what’s really happening in our country before it’s too late. My prayer is that, soon, this work will become something that we talk about in the past tense.
One of my retired episcopal colleagues recently said to me that he has come to the conclusion that original sin is maintaining that my race or tribe or group that thinks and believes as I do is always correct and always superior, while other races or tribes or those who do not believe or think as I do are always wrong and always inferior. He has a strong argument. Racism may, in fact, be the original sin, or at least a variation of the original sin of making ourselves God and Lord over creation and Lord over others. Jesus’ entire life, ministry, witness, and even death and resurrection challenges this core sin. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. challenged this core sin.
My vocation as a pastor has been informed by Rev. Dr. King. His words and witness have challenged me to understand racism and the privilege that is granted me by my whiteness, the overt and subtle ways racism limits lives and the generational trauma that slavery has inflicted on African Americans. I have had to speak out when some have sought to diminish, disregard, or dishonor the dignity of another because of their race. We all, every one of us, are made in the image of God. To deny the sacred worth of someone because of skin color mocks our Maker.
