“Racism should not only be addressed after tragic events, but regularly in our communities of faith”

After the violent acts that took place in Charlottesville, Virginia (USA), the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) and the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), its member body in the United States, have publicly condemned white supremacy and any other form of racism.

White nationalists gathered for a “Unite the Right” march on August, 12. There, a car plowed into a group of counterprotesters and another car.

Heather D. Heyer, 32, was killed. Two state troopers also died the next day when they were in a helicopter monitoring the demonstrations, and the helicopter fell and burst into flames.

“WE PRAY THE PEACE OF JESUS WLL REIGN”

"As evangelicals we follow Jesus, the Prince of Peace, who even gave His own life in order to break down the wall of hostility (Ephesians 2:14). We pray that the peace that comes from Jesus will reign in communities where diverse ethnicities come together, in the USA and all other countries", said Efraim Tendero, Secretary General of the WEA.

The WEA “also uphold the Biblical teaching that the inherent dignity of everyone is based on the fact that every person is created in the image of God, and that because of what Christ Jesus has done for humanity, we join the Apostle Paul in declaring that there is ‘neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus’ (Galatians 3:28).”

“NAE CONDEMNS WHITE SUPREMACY”

In its statement, the NAE “mourns over the senseless violence that took place in Charlottesville, Virginia. We join fellow Christians throughout the nation in praying for the families who lost loved ones and for healing in our country.”

It condemns “white supremacy and all groups, such as the KKK and Neo-Nazis, that champion it. Racism should not only be addressed after tragic events, but regularly in our communities of faith.”

The coalition of evangelicals believes that “churches in the United States can lead the way in combating attitudes and systems that perpetuate racism.”

“THE GOSPEL HAS THE POWER TO BREAK DOWN RACIAL BARRIERS”

“In times of national tragedy and crisis, evangelical Christians turn to the Word of God for direction. God created human beings in his image, and thus all people share in divine dignity (Genesis 1:26)”, it adds.

That is why “no race or ethnicity is greater or more valuable than another. Evangelicals believe that the good news of Jesus Christ has the power to break down racial and ethnic barriers (Ephesians 2:14-18).”

The NAE explains that “evangelicalism within the United States is a diverse movement, with evangelical beliefs being held by 44% of African Americans, 30% of Hispanics, 29% of whites, and 17% of people from other ethnicities.”

“There are also millions of others around the world who hold evangelical beliefs. Evangelicals look forward to the day when believers from every nation, tribe, people and language will join as one and celebrate the redeeming work of Jesus Christ together (Revelation 7:9-10)”, it concludes.