Is an apology enough?
Over the past several years, the Office of Theology and Worship (PMA), in partnership with Native American Intercultural Congregational Support (PMA), has been contemplating and discussing the General Assembly referrals concerning the impact of the Doctrine of Discovery. Together, we navigated its profound implications for various Native American communities and the crucial steps to move forward. Initially tasked with developing resources and curricula, we soon realized the complexity of these endeavors far exceeded our initial expectations.
Christian Zionism?
Amidst the global movement for peace in Gaza, it may be useful to investigate one facet of the Israel-Palestine conflict: Christian Zionism. Please note: This exploration offers just a glimpse into the intricate dynamics of the region. This blog post is not intended to endorse any political stance or theological doctrine. Rather, it aims to shed light on a historical and theological aspect that has influenced the evolving landscape, offering insights that could prove valuable to the church community.
Racism as a Public Health Crisis
In 2022, the 225th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) reviewed, approved, and transmitted a resolution from the Racial Equity Advocacy Committee (REAC) identifying racism as a public health crisis. This resolution urged Presbyterians to raise their consciousness and awareness about this crisis's theological, bioethical, and public health perspectives and to respond with specific actions. The subsequent statement briefly delineates key theological and bioethical affirmations central to this crisis, aiming to heighten the church’s awareness. REAC monitored, reviewed, and revised the statement accordingly.
Prayers for the Unfathomable Humanity
I’d never say that we must understand and forgive those who harm us physically, emotionally, and mentally, whether with or without harmful intent. I always ache and empathize with victims and survivors first, and that’s my usual tendency. However, this week, I found myself thinking about those who were forced and driven to choose to harm and end the lives of others. How can they do that? Are they human?
Celebrating Indigenous People’s Day in a Global Community
Being mindful of that privilege, there's an exciting event on the horizon for us all in the United States. In 2023, October 9th marks Indigenous People's Day, a day of celebration and recognition. [...] Every year, it prompts us to reflect on the un-Christian aspects of the papal Doctrine of Discovery.
Presbyterians and the World’s Religions
We’ve done a great job sharing the PC(USA) study document about antisemitism and Islamophobia at the Parliament of the World’s Religions. Our discussion was super cool, with scholars and activists from different religious backgrounds, including Jewish and Muslim leaders. We really made some awesome connections with some amazing folks in this interreligious setting. Curious about what’s in that study document? Check it out here: Denouncing antisemitism and Islamophobia.And don’t forget to dive deeper into it with this article on Presbyterian Outlook. This document got the stamp of approval from the General Assembly of PC(USA), and the friends at GACEIR (General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations) decided to share…