6/12/2016 1977JusticeNonviolence

Church of the Brethren Annual Conference

Official Documents

Justice and Nonviolence

1977 Church of the Brethren Statement

Contents

TheConcern
BiblicalView
SomePrinciples
AComplexofProblems
JusticeViolated
ProductivityMisappropriated
DignityDenied
TheUniverseOffended
AWordofHope
Imperatives
PeacewithJustice
EconomicJustice
HumanRightsandLiberation
EcoJustice
ClosingStatement
Footnotes

Inrecentyearstherelationofthechurch'spositionofnonviolencetosociety'sinjusticeshasbecomean
increasinglyurgentissue.TheneedforaclarifyingstatementwasexploredintheWorldMinistries
Commissionasearlyas1974andacommitteewascreatedinFebruary,1975toundertakethetask.Two
fullyearswasrequiredforthedevelopmentofthedescriptivestatement...withmultiplereviewsbythe
CommissionandtheGeneralBoard.

InFebruary,1977theGeneralBoardadoptedthefollowingpaperasitsstatementon"TheChurch's
ResponsibilityforJusticeandNonviolence,"andvotedtorecommendthepapertoAnnualConference
asthestatementofthechurchonthisissue.

THE CHURCH'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR JUSTICE AND NONVIOLENCE

Hehasshowedyou...whatisgoodandwhatdoestheLordrequireofyoubuttodo
justice,andtolovekindness,andtowalkhumblywithyourGod?(Micah6:8)

TheConcern

Violencetakesmanyforms:war,crime,oppression,denialofjustice,andviolationofpersonhood.The
voiceoftheChurchoftheBrethrenusuallyhasbeenclearandunequivocalregardingnonparticipation
inwar,themostobviousexpressionofviolenceinourglobalcommunity.Oftenthechurchhasbeenless
clearregardingmoresubtleexpressionsofviolence,evenbenefitingfromtheinjusticeandviolencethat
otherssuffer.

Isitnottimeforusinthechurchtoexamineourselvesandourfaithandtoworkforthrightlyfor
liberation,justice,andpeaceinwaysthatrespectthelifeandpotentialofeverypersonandthewhole
humanfamily?

Isitnottimeforthechurchtoputitshouseinorder,realizingwithinitselfacloserapproximationof

http://www.brethren.org/ac/statements/1977justicenonviolence.html 1/10
6/12/2016 1977JusticeNonviolence

justiceandnonviolence?

Isitnottimeforthechurch(whichshouldbetheprimarylocusofjusticeandnonviolence)totakea
positivestanceinsupportofjusticeandinoppositiontothesubtleformsofviolencethatdenysurvival
formanyandqualityoflifeforthemajority?

Isitnottimeforthechurchtodeclareitselfinsupportofworkingnonviolentlyforliberationandjustice
forpersonsboundbypatternsofcolonialism,imperialism,racism,sexism,localism,militarism,and
otherstructuresofoppression?

BiblicalView

ThePeopleofIsraelunderstoodJahwehtobeaGodofbothjustice(mishpat)andpeace(shalom).The
originalsettingofthetermmishpatisthatofajudgeatthegateofanancientHebrewtownmaking
decisionsaboutgrievances.

Whenajudgecouldmakeadecisionthatbroughtgenuinereconciliationbetweenthepartiesinvolved,
thatdecisionhadthequalityofjustice(mishpat).Theconceptthereforerepresentsthegoalofthe
judicialprocess,butnotinthesenseofmereretributionorredistribution.Rathermishpatrefersto
concreteandparticularactsofreconciliation.Norisittheabstractideasofharmonyandbalance.Itis
ratheraqualityofactiveandexpressivebehaviorthatrestorestheappropriaterightnessorrelation
betweendissidentpersonsorgroups.

Statedotherwisemishpatisthefittingandnormalbehaviorofeverypersonwithinthecovenantal
community.Itrelatestheestablishedtraditionandinstruction(torah)totheconcreterelationships
betweenpersonsindaybydaysituations.Toactwithjustice(mishpat)istoactinsuchawaythatone's
placeinthecommunityisrightlyestablishedandguided,thatone'srelationshipswithothersare
engagedresponsibly,thatthetraditionandinstructionareembodiedinact,andthatalienationand
injusticeareactivelyandconcretelyovercome.Thisviewofjusticeistobecarefullydistinguishedfrom
conceptsofnecessarypunishment,balanceofpower,andlegalrequirement.Thougheachofthelatter
maybetakenupinmishpat,theydonotinthemselvesreachthecenterofitsreality.

Acloselyrelatedconceptisthatofpeace(shalom).Inthebiblicalviewshalomwastherelationshipsof
solidaritybetweenpersonswhowererightlyestablishedinthecovenantalcommunity.Shalomreferred
bothtothequalityoftherelationshipsbetweenpersonsaswellastothefree,unfettered,andappropriate
lifeofthesoulofeachperson.Thepersonwhoselifewasguidedbymishpatandwhoserelationships
wereguidedbythetraditionalinstructionwasalsoapersonwhosesouldevelopedandgrewwithboth
aninnerandouterblessedness.Shalomthereforereferstothesolidarityandvitalityofapeoplewhose
lifeisguidedbyjusticeaswellastheinwardblessednessofeachpersonwhoissorelatedtothe
covenantalcommunity.Truemishpat(justice)andshalom(peace)canthereforeneverbeseparatedfrom
oneanother.

Justiceandpeacearebothprofoundlytheologicalconcepts.Justasjusticecannotproperlybereducedto
thebalanceofpower,soalsopeacecannotbereducedtotheabsenceofconflict.Peaceisratherthe
markofanexpressivelifethatisrightlyrelatedtoallwhoareboundtogetherbythecovenant.Intruth
bothpeaceandjusticearethegiftofGod.Oneactsinreconcilingwaystowardotherpersonsandgroups
becauseGodisaGodofjusticewhosewaysarewhollyjust.Toactotherwisewouldbetodoviolenceto
thewaythatGodrelatestohispeople.Violenceofpersonagainstpersonisthereforefundamental
violenceagainsttherelationshipwithGod.JusticeisthegiftofGod.Westrivetofindtherightwaysof
activelyandconcretelyreconcilingourdifferences,butallouractsfindtheirlimitinthefactthatGod
alonegivesjustice.

SoalsoGodgivespeace.Wearecalledtoactinwaysthatdeepenandenlargethecovenant,andinthis
behaviorGodhaspromisedtograceourlivesandourcommunitieswithpeace.Whenjusticeisviolated,
thenwelosethegraceofGod'speacewithoneanotherandwithourselves.Peaceisthuscloselyrelated
toindividualandcommunityexpressionsofjustice,butrelatedinsuchawaythatGodhaspromised
peacetothosewhoseektolivewithinthecovenant.Bothpeaceandjusticearefinallythegiftofajust
andlovingGod,andnotinanysenseourmeritoriousclaim.

http://www.brethren.org/ac/statements/1977justicenonviolence.html 2/10
6/12/2016 1977JusticeNonviolence

IntheExodus,theGodofjusticeactedtoliberateIsraelfromtheyokeofEgyptandtoestablishthemin
peace.TheExodusisthereforenottobeseenprimarilyastheopenrebellionofapeopleagainsttheir
captor,butratherastheliberatingpowerthatcomesfromlivingunderacovenantofjusticeandpeace.
ThetorahisaconstantreminderofthepowerofthecovenantalcommunitythathopesinGodandlives
injustice.

TheExodusofIsraelfrombondagewasamiracleofliberationthatgiveshopetocaptivepeoplesyet
today.ItdemonstratesGod'sdesireforpeopletoliveinaworldwidecommunityofjusticeandpeace.
TheExodusalertsthechurchofeveryagetoGod'spoweratworktoaffectsocialupheavaltobring
aboutjusticewherethereissufferingandoppression,thusawakeninghopeintheheartsofpeople
everywhere.Theliberationofpeoplecomesfromtheircovenantalcommitmenttobothjusticeand
peace.Inthislightthemajortaskofthepeopleoffaithistolivetheliberatedlifethatcomesfrom
activelyseekingjusticeandpeace.

TheprophetsborewitnesstotheMosaiccovenantinvariousways:

Youshallnotpervertjusticeyoushallnotshowpartiality:andyoushallnottakeabribe,
forabribeblindstheeyesofthewiseandsubvertsthecauseofrighteousness.Justiceand
onlyjusticeyoushallfollow,thatyoumayliveandinheritthelandwhichtheLordyourGod
givesyou.(Deuteronomy16:1920)

Ihate,Idespiseyourfeasts,andItakenodelightinyoursolemnassemblies.Eventhough
youoffermeyourburntofferingsandcerealofferings,Iwillnotacceptthem,andthepeace
offeringsofyourfattedbeastsIwillnotlookupon.Takeawayfrommethenoiseofyour
songstothemelodyofyourharpsIwillnotlisten.Butletjusticerolldownlikewaters,and
righteousnesslikeaneverflowingstream.(Amos5:2124)

Woetothosewhodecreeiniquitousdecrees.Andthewriterswhokeepwritingoppression,
toturnasidetheneedyfromjusticeandtorobthepoorofmypeopleoftheirright,that
widowsmaybetheirspoil,andthattheymaymakethefatherlesstheirprey!(Isaiah10:1,2)

JesusstoodexactlyintheHebrewtraditionofHebrewjusticeandpeace.God'swillforareconciling
justicemarkedbythecovenantalblessednessofpeaceisexpressedintheNewTestamentaslove,
especiallyagapelove.JustasforIsraeljusticeandpeacebetweenpersonsarethegiftsofacovenantal
relationshipwithGod,soalsoforJesustheloveofGodcanneverbeseparatedfromtheloveof
neighbor.JesusdescribedhismissiononearthinwordsthatrefertoIsaiah61:

TheSpiritoftheLordisuponme,becausehehasanointedmetopreachgoodnewstothe
poor.Hehassentmetoproclaimreleasetothecaptivesandrecoveringofsighttotheblind,
tosetatlibertythosewhoareoppressed,toproclaimtheacceptableyearoftheLord.(Luke
4:1819)

Jesusradicallytransformedandextendedthemeaningofmishpatandshalomtoincludeallpeople,even
strangers,foreigners,enemies,despisedneighbors(Samaritans),andnonbelievers.InJesusChristthere
arenoqualifyinglimitstoGod'sjusticeandpeace.Allthewallsaredown.ThegraceandloveofGod
arebeingextendedtoeveryone.ThetraditionitselfmustgivewaytoGod'sjustice(Mark3:4,Acts10).

Injusticetowardtheenemy,thenonviolentcharacterofGod'slovebecomesfullyevident.Throughout
theOldTestamentwefindindicationsthatadherencetocovenantaljusticeratherthanmilitarymightis
thetruesourceofIsrael'shope.InthelifeandteachingsofJesustheloveofGodnotonlystandsonthe
sideofthepooranddispossessed,butisalsoconcernedaboutthewellbeingoftheenemyandthe
oppressor."Loveyourenemiesandprayforthosewhopersecuteyou"wastheteachingofJesus
(Matthew5:44).WearetoforgiveasGodhasforgivenus(Ephesians4:32)andwearetobewillingto
sufferandlaydownourlives,ifnecessary,forthesakeofGod'sreconcilingjustice(IJohn3:16,2
Corinthians1:5).Wearetoovercomeevilwithgood(Romans12:1421).Thewayofarmedconflictis
notthewayofGod'skingdom(John18:36).

ThesymbolismoftheLoveFeastcarriespotentialforliftingupthefullnessofGod'sloveandjusticefor
allpersons,notjustthegatheredchurch.Inthefeetwashingandthefellowshipatthetablewehave
http://www.brethren.org/ac/statements/1977justicenonviolence.html 3/10
6/12/2016 1977JusticeNonviolence

concreteexpressionsofreconciliationbetweenpersons.Thewholecelebrationmakesrealtousthe
reconcilingactivityofGodinJesusChristasembodiedinthosearoundus.Thereconcilingactsbring
newlevelsofGod'speaceamongtheparticipants,aswellasahopeforpeaceamongallpeople.Isthis
notamodelofthejusticeandpeacethatisdestinedtoreignamongthoseinalltimesandplaceswho
cometotheLord'stable?

SomePrinciples

Ourunderstandingofthebiblicalviewofjusticeandpeaceleadsustoaffirmtheseprinciples:

Thechurchinitscommunitylife,organization,andworshipmustshowcompassionandequal
respectforallpersons.
Thechurchinitsconcernforallpeople,thepoor,thepowerless,therich,thepowerful,isnot
calledtodefendtherichesoftherichortopreservethepowerofthepowerful.
Thechurchhasspecificresponsibilitytodefendandrespondtotherightsandneedsofthepoor,
thedisadvantaged,andthosewithinsufficientpowertoassuretheirrights.
Nopersoniscreatedforpoverty,butallarebornforafullplaceatthetableofthehumanfamily.
Thechurchistowitnesstotheresponsibilityoftherulingpowerfortheadministrationofjustice
bycryingbutagainstpersonsorgovernmentsthatabusejusticeandmisusetheirpower.
Governmentistorulewithjusticeforeveryperson.
Individualsaswellasthechurchmustguardagainsttheconstanttendencytoidealizeandto
worship(withoutregardtojustice)thesocial,economic,andpoliticalinstitutionswithinwhich
anypeoplefindthemselves.
Allhumansystemsincludingthechurcharefallibleandimperfect.
Thesesystemsmustbejudgedbytheirfruitsaretheirprogramsjust?
Whensocialstructureshaveceasedtoservetheirhumanitarianpurposes,radicalnonviolent
changesareinorder.
Thechurch,inoneaspectofitsmission,maybecalledtoparticipatenonviolentlyinthechange
process.
Hunger,poverty,war,andbrokenrelationshipsareevidencesofsinworkinginhumanstructures.
Thesepointuptheneedforrepentanceandrestitutionfortherestorationofjusticeintheearth.
Godcallsthechurchtoworkatrestoringjusticebyaresponsibleuseofitspower.Wemustuse
meansthatarecompassionatebecauseviolenceissin,anabuseofthesolidarityofhumankind.

AComplexofProblems

Violencestillflourishesafterthethousandsofyearsofhumanhistorysincethetimeoftheprophetsof
IsraelandthelifeandministryofJesus.Militaryconflict,atrocities,excessiveorcorruptexerciseof
power,withholdingofjustice,andinfringementuponpersonaldignityaresomeofthemanyformsof
violencegrowingoutofthewayspeoples,nations,andinstitutionshaveorganizedandoperated.This
sectionofourpaperdirectsthechurch'sattentiontosomeoftheproblemsofsystemicorstructural
violencetheviolenceoftenhiddenintheusualandcustomaryinstitutionsandpractices.*

Structurallyviolentinstitutionsmagnifyinequities,denigratepersonaldignity,repressfreedom,resist
change,abusepower,thwartcommunity,anddootherinjusticestopersonsandgroups.Theharm
resultingtopeoplemaybeunintentionalbutnonethelessreal.Forexample,povertyperpetuatingclass
structuremayactuallydestroylife:onebornintopovertyoroppressionusuallyhasashorterlife
expectancythanoneborninprivilegedconditions.Forexample,theaveragelifeexpectancyofpersons
bornintheUnitedStatesisthirtyyearslongerthanforequallypreciouspersonsinmanypoorer
countriesoftheworld.

JusticeViolated

Inaworldbesetwithdegradationandmisery,mostmembersoftheChurchoftheBrethrensitwith
othersatthepinnacleoftheglobalstructureofwealthandpower.Manymiddleclasspersonsinthe
UnitedStatespossessandconsumefarmorewealththantheirnumberswouldallowiftheresourcesof
theworldweresharedcompassionatelyamongthepeopleoftheworld.ManyChristians,although
committedtothelordshipofJesusChristandsolidaritywithneighbors,areimplicatedinstructural
violence.
http://www.brethren.org/ac/statements/1977justicenonviolence.html 4/10
6/12/2016 1977JusticeNonviolence

Onecanbeunawareoftheunfortunateconsequenceofhisorherparticipationinaninstitution.An
oppressorneednotalwaysbemaliciousforoppressiontooccur,norcananoppressor'sactsofkindness
makeanoppressiveinstitutionmorallyacceptable.(Aslaveholder'skindnesstowardaslave,didnot
makeslaveryanacceptableinstitution.)

Theabuseofpoweraddstothecomplexityoftheproblemofrestoringsolidarity.Inreality,allpower
belongstoGod(Psalm62:11.John.19:1011).Creation(Jeremiah10:12),history(Exodus15:6),
salvation(Revelation19:1)allattesttothetranscendentpowerofGod.

Personsinpositionsofpowerandauthorityoftenparticipateinstructuralviolence.Suchpersons
sometimesmisusepowerinmakingdecisionsingovernment,business,education,laborunions,
churches,andfamilies.Thesedecisionsenablethemtoaccumulatestatus,power,orwealthatthe
expenseofotherpeoplewhoaredeprivedoftheeconomic,psychological,orpoliticalnecessitiesfor
livesofdignityandfulfillment.

Itisimportantthatwedonotconfusepowerwithviolence.Politicalpowerdependentontheconsent
andcomplianceofthegoverned,maybediminishedorevendestroyedwhensupportiswithdrawnor
withheld.Aredistributionofpowerfollows.Otherimportantchangesarealsoeffectedinsuch
nonviolentstruggles:forinstance,withtherealizationofpoweroverone'sownlifecomesanewsense
ofselfrespectandselfconfidence.

Thosewhoachievepowerbyviolencearepronetocontinueexercisingcoercivepowerafterthestruggle
isover.Suchpowercanbeweakenedbynonviolentprotestandpersuasion,noncooperation,and
nonviolentintervention.Jesus'lifeclearlyshowsthatviolenceisnotnecessarytotheuseofpower.

Institutionsthatresisttheeffortsofpeopletomodifyunfairsystemsofgovernmentalorganization,land
ownership,andothersocialarrangementsperpetuateinjustice.Militaryrepressionisusedconsistently
bythosewhoseekpoliticaloreconomicgainsupportofsuchrepressiveregimesisPharaohlike
resistancetoGod'sliberatingpresenceinhistory.Similarlymisguidedarethetrainingofrepressive
policeandthegrantingofeconomicassistancethatstrengthenscertaingroupswithoutregardforthe
interestsofthemajorityofthepopulation.

Thepersistentendeavorsofthecompetingpowerstopeddlearmsthroughouttheworldstrengthen
militaryregimes,escalateinternationaltensions,andencouragethesquanderingofpreciousresourcesby
societiessufferingfrommaterialscarcity.Theworldwidesupplyofarmsfosters"localized"conflicts
andwars.Violencemaybecomethemajorconsumerofproductivityandscientificadvance.

Someinstitutions,forexampletheintelligenceagenciesofgovernments,attimesmanipulate,coerce,
anddestroy.TheCIAhasfrequentlyengagedinclandestineinterventionthatcreatesmistrust,alienates
people,andsubvertsthedemocraticprinciplesinwhichtheUnitedStatesprofessestobelieve.

Bymanipulatingeventsinweaker,poorernations,governmentsarecommittingviolenceandby
resistingorcontrollingchange,theyareencouragingreformerstoresorttoviolentmeanstooverturn
institutionallyimposedinjustice.Suchmanipulationbythebigpowersperpetuatesmiseryandsuffering
formillionsofpeople.

Geographyandsometimeshistorydeterminewhetheronesocietyisricherthananother.Thericher,
morepowerfulnations,intentionallyorunintentionally,arederivingmuchoftheirwealthfromthe
poorerorlesspowerful.Inequitiesofwealthtendtoproduceinequitiesofpower.Also,inequitiesof
powertendtoproduceinequitiesofwealth.

ProductivityMisappropriated

Noexistingeconomic,political,orsocialinstitutionorsystemperfectlyreflectstheideal.Politicaland
economicstructuresproducemanypositivebenefits,butintheircurrentpracticestheyoftenpreventthe
realizationofglobalcommunityandtheunityofthehumanfamily.Inbothcapitalistandsocialist
systems,personswhoaimtomaximizetheirwealthandpowerratherthanservehumanneedsdenythe
sacrednessoflife.

http://www.brethren.org/ac/statements/1977justicenonviolence.html 5/10
6/12/2016 1977JusticeNonviolence

Nationalisticeconomicpolicies,supportedbygovernment,business,labor,andpublicopinion,sacrifice
globalresponsibilityandretardeconomicdevelopment.Suchpoliciespreventbroadbasedeconomic
opportunitiesforsmallproducersandadequatelevelsoflifeformanyconsumers.Themazeofthe
world'ssystemsoftariffs,quotas,andnational"selfsufficiency''policiescontributetothisimbalance.
"BuyAmerican"enjoysperiodicpopularityintheUnitedStates.Thisattitudeoverlooksmattersof
genuineglobaleconomicconcern.

Becauseweliveinaninterdependentworld,capitalflowsacrosspoliticalboundariesarenecessary.Itis
intheinterestofallthatinvestmentopportunitiesremainattractiveforrecipientanddonorinthose
countrieswithoutsufficientindigenouscapital.Althoughbalancedinvestmentprogramsshouldbenefit
allconcerned,someinvestorsobtainunrealisticreturnsandtakeawayasmanyresourcesandasmuch
profitaspossible.Skillsandtechnologytakentootherlandsmaybeoffsetbyexploitationofresources
inthosecountries.

DignityDenied

Inmorethanonehundredcountriesintheworld,peoplearesystematicallytreatedunjustlybecauseof
theirethnicbackgrounds,politicalviews,orreligiousbeliefs.**Theyareincarceratedwithouttrial,
tortured,assassinated,orotherwisedeniedhumanrights.TheUnitedStatespositiononhumanrights,
whichmanypresumetobefavorable,isbroughtintoquestionnotonlybecauseofourunwillingnessto
joinotherstatesinanopencallforapprovalofUnitedNationstreatiesonhumanrights,butalsobecause
ofourinterventiontoprotectmilitarygovernmentsoverseasandourpoorexampleinguaranteeingthe
rightsofsomeofourowncitizensandresidentaliens.

Bothdomesticallyandglobally,theweakandpoorhavelimitedinfluenceoverthedecisionsthataffect
theirlives.Economicoppressionaswellaspoliticaloppressiondeniesbasichumanrightstheformer
deniesthefighttolifeandthelattertherighttofreespeechandpoliticalandreligiousactivities.

Racism,sexism,andelitismdividethehumanfamilysodosomeexpressionsofnationalismand
tribalism.Theyencouragethebeliefthatone'sowngroupisbetterthananotheranddeservesmore
wealth,power,prestige,orsecuritythananother.Nosocialgroupingcanimplementjusticeforall
humanbeingsifitspeopletakeadvantagesattheexpenseofothergroups.

Thestrugglefortheallegianceofhumanmindsimpedesinteractionwithpeoplesofothercultures,
particularlyofothereconomicandpoliticalpersuasions.Fearanddistrustalsoareamongthefactorsthat
keepaparttheadherentsofthevarioussystemsandpreventthecontactsthatwouldpromote
understanding.Whatchallengedoloveandtheaspirationforaresponsibleandhumaneworldorder
placeonthechurchtoenablepersonsfromdiverseandevenopposingpoliticalandeconomicsystemsto
beintouchwithoneanotherforthesakeofpeaceandunderstanding?

Forapeacechurch,theproblemsofdignitydeniedarecomplicatedinanotherway.Whilenot
condoningviolence,howdoesthepeacemakerexpressloveforthosewhorelyonviolentmeanstobring
aboutabettersocialorder?Howlovethosewhoviolentlyopposeanychange,violentornonviolent?

TheUniverseOffended

Theworldseemsheadedtowardecologicalcrisisandperhapsdisaster.Inmanyinstances,thepaceand
modeofindustrializationandtechnologicaldevelopmentappeartoexceedtheabilitytocombinethe
factorsofproductioninwaysthatpreserveandusewithequitytheresourcesprovidedbytheCreator.In
otherinstances,thereseemstobeatrendtowardusingupresourcesforaminorityofGod'schildren,
destroyingthebeautyoftheplanetandlifesustainingnecessitiessuchascleanairandwater.

Thecriticalproblemfacingthehumanfamilyishowtoimplementecojusticeandtofocusthe
consumptionoftheresourcesinGod'suniverseupontheserviceofhumanneeds.

AWordofHope

TheliberatingactivityofGodfindssupportaroundtheworldwherepersonsandnationsarelookingfor
newnonviolentwaystotranslatethevaluesofliberation,justice,andpeaceintooperationalgoals.

http://www.brethren.org/ac/statements/1977justicenonviolence.html 6/10
6/12/2016 1977JusticeNonviolence

Whileviolence,tyranny,anddehumanizationinmanyformsareontheincrease,thereisagrowing
interestinnonviolentalternatives.Allpersonsofgoodwillcanbethankfulforsuchsupportasthey
encouragechangesinsocial,political,andeconomicinstitutionsinordertopromotejusticeand
eliminateoppression.TherighteousjudgementofGodempowersourhumanjustice,lettingGod'swill
forjusticebeexpressedthroughus.

Imperatives

Wejoinwiththeafflicted,thebrokenhearted,thecaptives,thebound(Isaiah61:1).Thusweliveoutour
responsetotheloveofGodinJesusChrist,participatingwithhiminhisministryofreconciliationand
redemption.

OurunderstandingofthemindofChristdemandsofusvigorousnonviolentinvolvementand
identificationwiththepoorandtheoppressed,allthewhileacknowledgingourlimitationand
confessingourcomplicityintheevilsaddressed.Wealsorecognizethattheseproblems(evils)are
massive,complex,andambiguousandthatwelackperfectknowledge.Webelieve,however,that
Christiandiscipleshipdemandsdecisionandactiontohelpachievegreaterjusticeandpeaceinourtime.

WemustfacetherisksandvigorouslyimplementtheloveofGodinourpolitical,economic,andsocial
relations.TheconsequencesofourdecisionsandactionsmaybeascostlyaswhenJesuswasaccusedof
politicalsubversionandwasexecuted.Weneedfaith,moralcourage,andloveasrevealedinJesus
Christandlivedoutinthefaithcommunity.

Ourownfaithcommunitycannotescapeitsresponsibilitytoactforjustice,liberation,andpeace.Itis
imperativeforusasachurchtopursuefurtherbiblicalandtheologicalreflectionandstudyaboutthe
meaningofGod'sjusticeforconcreteactioninourhomes,churches,communities,andnation.Brethren
oughttoassumeleadershipintheircommunitiestobringconcernedpersonstogetherfromother
churchesandsecularagenciesforstudy,action,andreflectionaroundtheseconcerns.Districtboards
andexecutivesshouldliftupthevisionanddevelopprojectsforbothdistrictandlocalprograms.
Placementofleadershipshouldbeinfluencedbycriteriarelatedtothecommitmentofcandidatesto
justice,liberation,andpeace.Inordertohelpgeneratewidersupportforneededchangeinsystemswe
shoulduseallavailablecommunicationsmediatoexposeproblems,raiseawareness,andsuggest
transformingaction.

PeacewithJustice

Weplaceahighpriorityonchangingpoliticalstructuresinordertoreversethepresentspiralof
violence,militarism,andthearmamentsrace.TheChurchoftheBrethrenmustbedecisiveinshaping
itsownprogramsandcallingallChristiansandotherpersonsofgoodwilltoencouragetheUnited
Statesto:

ceaseimmediatelyitssalesofarmstoothercountries
pledgenottousenuclearweapons
dismantleitsnucleararsenal
provideleadershiptobanenvironmentalwarfare
strengthenglobalinstitutionsthatfacilitatenonviolentmeansofconflictresolutionandtheprocess
ofdisarmament
curtailforeignmilitaryaidandtraining
refusetosellnuclearfuelsandtechnologytoanystatenotagreeingtotheNonProliferation
TreatyandinspectionbytheInternationalAtomicEnergyAgency
enditssecretintelligencegatheringanditspoliticalinterventioninforeigncountries
discontinueanypolicywhichstrengthensunpopular,repressive,andunjustregimesbyfinancial
aid,militaryandintelligencetraining,andpoliticalfavoritism
providetaxalternatives,suchastheWorldPeaceTaxFund,forthoseconscientiouslyopposedto
thecurrentlevelofmilitaryspending
transferimmediatelythefundsinthemilitarybudgettolifegivingprograms
discontinuetheJuniorROTCprogram

EconomicJustice
http://www.brethren.org/ac/statements/1977justicenonviolence.html 7/10
6/12/2016 1977JusticeNonviolence

Economicinstitutionsshouldpromotethecapacity,willingness,andlikelihoodofpeoplestoembrace
economicequityattheexpenseofmaterialselfaggrandizementtosubstituteforselfishcompetition,
cooperationtomeettheneedsofoneanothertoimplementjusticetowardotherclasses,nationalities,
and"enemies"bysharingwealthandpowerinpracticalwaysandtobuildcommunity,nurturedbylocal
rootsandencompassingallhumanity

WecalluponallChristiansandotherpersonsofgoodwilltojoinwiththeChurchoftheBrethrento
reversethewideningofthegapbetweenrichandpoor.Inordertoconserveenergy,food,andother
resourcesneededbythepoor,wemustreexamineourpatternsofconsumption.Weurgeourpeopleto
contributefromtheirmaterialresources,beyondatithe,forglobalredistributionofwealth.We
encourageoneanothertodissociate,asfaraspossible,from,orchangethepoliciesof,economic
institutionsthatbuttresselitistsystemsabroadorseektotakeunreasonableprofitsoutofless
developedcountries.

TheChurchoftheBrethrenseekstoshapeitsownprogramsandtoinfluenceotherinstitutionsinorder
toencouragetheUnitedStatesto:

acknowledgethatfoodisahumanrightandtomakethisrightaguidingprincipleindeciding
economicpolicies
leadincreatingaworldfoodreservesystemunderinternationalcontrolandtocontribute
significantresources,astheworld'slargestproduceroffoodforexport
relievetheeconomicinsecuritywhichcreatespressuresforpopulationgrowthandtoencourage
familyplanningaimedatstabilizingpopulationthroughincreasededucation
contributeafixedportionofsavingsfromarmsreductionstoprogramsforemergencyrelieffood
reserves,andthedevelopmentofknowledgeneededtoincreaseagriculturalproduction
worldwide,throughtheUnitedNations
channelitsforeigneconomicaidthroughmultilateralagenciesinwhichthepoornationsenjoy
equitablerepresentation
contributeatleastonepercentofitsGNPannuallytoworlddevelopmentprograms
participateinthemovementforanewinternationaleconomicorderforpromotingeconomicwell
beingforall.

HumanRightsandLiberation

Wedeploreimprisonmentfornonviolentoppositiontoagovernmentandallformsofrepression,torture,
censorship,anddiscriminationbasedonsex,religion,race,age,economicandculturalstrata,ornational
origin.Wefindthispositionconsistentwithourunderstandingofthescriptures.

TheChurchoftheBrethrenshoulddevelopitsownprogramsandinfluencethepoliciesofother
institutionsinordertoencourageournationto:

accelerateprogramsdesignedtoeliminatediscriminationbasedonsex,age,orrace
supportfirmlymonitoringtheviolationsofhumanrightsbyimpartialtransnationalgroupssuchas
AmnestyInternationalandtheInternationalCommissionofJurists
pursueageneralworldwideamnestyforpeopleforcedtoliveinexile,andforindividuals
imprisonedfortheirbeliefsorfornonviolentactsofconscienceagainstagovernment,includinga
person'sconscientiousrefusaltoobeyconscriptionlaws
ratifytheCovenantsonCivilandPoliticalRightsandtheCovenantsonEconomic,Socialand
CulturalRights***
supportnonviolentsanctionsoftheUnitedNationsagainstregimeswhichjustifydiscrimination
basedonrace,andtoencourageboycottingtheproductsofanycorporationsthathave,through
subsidiaries,soughttoevadetheimpactofthesanctionsalreadyimposedinsouthernAfrica
denyaidtooppressiveregimes
receiveexileswillingly.

EcoJustice

WeareobligatedtoacceptourresponsibilityasstewardsofGod'screationandexercisegood
stewardshipofnaturalresourcestosatisfythebasichumanneedsofpersonsnowlivingandofthoseto
http://www.brethren.org/ac/statements/1977justicenonviolence.html 8/10
6/12/2016 1977JusticeNonviolence

come.

WecallonmembersoftheChurchoftheBrethren,otherChristians,andpersonsofgoodwillto
examinethewaysweconsumeresourcesanddisposeofwastes,makingchangesasneededinthelight
ofresponsiblestewardship.

Weurgecitizens,ourchurch,andgovernmenttoadoptpoliciesbasedontheprinciplethatany
insufficiencyofresourcesshouldbeborneequallybyallpersonsinallsocieties.

Weurgeourgovernmenttodeclareamoratoriumonthebuildingofanynewnuclearpowerplantsuntil
adequatesafeguardshavebeenimplementedregardingplantsafety,nuclearwastedisposal,andsecurity
ofnuclearmaterialswithweaponspotential.

Weencouragethegovernmenttopoolknowledgeandfundswithothersocietiestoincreaseresearchinto
solar,tidal,geothermal,andwindsourcesofenergy.

Wefavorpoliciesaimedatusingforpurposesofinternationaldevelopmentallproceedsfromresources
oftheoceansandseabedsbeyondterritoriallimits.

Recognizingthatenvironmentalprotectionisaglobalproblem,thecostsshouldbelargelyborneby
thosecountrieswiththemostabilitytopayforsuchprotection.

ClosingStatement

Theworldconfrontsuswiththetemptationtouseviolenceinwar,toacquiesceandparticipatein
structuralviolence,andtosupportviolentrevolutionagainststructuralviolence.Althoughweseekto
identifywiththeoppressed,tothesethreetypesofviolencewemakeauniformresponse:theScriptures
callustorejectallformsofviolenceandtoundertakenonviolentactstoexerciseourcommitmentto
humanliberationandjustice.Wemustbevigilantagainstthatwhichwouldseduceustousethevery
meansagainstwhichwemuststruggle.Suchanonviolentresponseisrootedinthecalltoradical
discipleshipitcallsustotakerisksandtotransformourownlivesandhumaninstitutionsforthesake
ofGod'sjusticebutitdoesnotdestroylifeorcloseoffthepossibilityofgenuinereconciliation(nurtured
inmishpatandshalom)withanoppressoraftertheoppressionisended.

Wecannotretreatfromtheworld.WearetomovefromwherewearetowhereGod'spowerandpurpose
havebeguntodefinenewpossibilitiesandnewnecessities.Wemustbecomeawareoftherampant
injusticeandsubtlehiddenviolenceintoday'sworld,examineourowninvolvement,andidentifynon
violentlywiththeoppressedandsuffering.

Wemustdevelopatheologyoflivinghereandnowinthespiritofthekingdom.Welooktowarda
futurethatwillbemorepeaceful,just,andrespectfulofGod'screation.Wewhoareofthebodyof
Christ,anincarnationofGod'sreconcilingandredeemingloveintheworldarecalledtobeachannelof
God'slovingjustice.Whereverbrokennessamongpeopleexists,wearecalledtoparticipateinGod's
workofhealingwhereverpeoplesufferfromoppression,wearetoworkforGod'sactofliberationand
whereverpeoplearedeprivedofbasichumanneedsandopportunitieswearecalledtoGod'sworkof
humanization.WearecalledtolivethelifeofGod'sagapeintheworldbecauseChristisourLord.

ThussaystheLord:'Letnotthewise...gloryin...wisdom,letnotthemighty...gloryin...
might,letnottherich...gloryin...richesbutletthosewhoglorygloryinthis,thatthey
understandandknowme,thatIamtheLordwhopracticesteadfastlove,justice,and
righteousnessintheearthforinthesethingsIdelight,saystheLord.'(fromJeremiah9:23,
24)

ClydeR.Shallenberger,Chairman
S.LorenBowman,GeneralSecretary

Actionof1977AnnualConference

TherecommendationofStandingCommittee,thatweadoptthepaper,waspresentedbyEdithGriffith.

http://www.brethren.org/ac/statements/1977justicenonviolence.html 9/10
6/12/2016 1977JusticeNonviolence

Thepaperwasadoptedwithanumberofamendmentswhichareincorporatedintheabovewordingof
thepaper.

Footnotes

*"StructuralViolence"asusedinthispaperreferstoviolationsofpersonhoodsuchasmalnutrition,
oppressionofapartheid,ordenialofequalopportunitybecauseofone'sclass,race,age,orsex.

**During1976,AmnestyInternational,aLondonbasednongovernmentalorganizationwith97,000
membersin78countries,reportedviolationsofhumanrightsin112countries.Theviolationsincluded
puttingcitizensinjailfortheirbeliefs,denyingfairtrialstothosebeingheld,andtorturingorillegally
executingprisoners.SeeTheNewYorkTimes,October3,1976,IV,pagetwo.

***TheUnitedNationsGeneralAssemblyadoptedthreeimportanttreatiesonhumanrightson
December16,1966.Thefirstofthese,entitledCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights,guarantees
freedomofreligiousexpression,peacefulassembly,andmovement.Itprohibitsarbitraryarrest,assertsa
righttolifeandtoafairtrial,andprovideslegalprotectionsforminorities.TheOptionalProtocolofthe
CovenantonCivilandPoliticalRightsgivesindividualsandgroupstherighttoappealtotheUN
CommissiononHumanRightswhentheirrightsareviolated.TheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,
SocialandCulturalRightsestablishestherighttowork,education,medicalcare,andrelatedsocialand
economicbenefits.TheUnitedStateshasnotyetsignedandratifiedanyofthesetreaties,despitethe
passageofmorethanadecadesincetheywereopenedforratification.Thetextsofthethreeinstruments
arecontainedinUnitedNationsGeneralAssemblyResolution2200.GeneralAssemblyOfficial
Records,Volume21.Supplement16(A/6319)pages4953.ThetextsarealsoreprintedinAmerican
JournalofInternationalLaw,Volume61(1967),pages861890.
ChurchoftheBrethrenAnnualConference|1451DundeeAve,Elgin,Ill.60120

http://www.brethren.org/ac/statements/1977justicenonviolence.html 10/10