Churches' social platform enters its 2nd century

[Philip Jenks]

U.S. churches' social platform
enters its second century

New York, August 29, 2008 - Labor Day 2008 is sandwiched between two
major party nominating conventions, each of which is generating tens of
thousands of words of tributes to the working people of America.

But this recognition of laboring people has not always translated into
legislation that solved the problems working Americans face.

Three national church leaders meeting in Washington this week  urged the
political parties to remember these issues that transcend party rhetoric
and call for immediate action.

The Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, general secretary of the National Council
of Churches, the Rev. James Winkler, general secretary of the United
Methodist Board of Church and Society, and the Rev. Christian Iosso,
coordinator of the Presbyterian Advisory Committee on Social Witness
Policy, cited the centennial of the Social Creed of the Churches as a
major marker in U.S. history.

As this year's presidential campaign moves into its final kinetic
stages, the leaders said, the church people of America can point with
satisfaction to the commitment that their great-grandparents made to
seek a creedal commitment to humane labor conditions a century ago,
before most politicians saw the need.

The Social Creed of the Churches, first read in 1908 at the founding
assembly of the Federal Council of Churches in Philadelphia, was a
response to the scandal of unbearable suffering in factories and mines
where men, women and children worked up to 12 hours a day under
hazardous conditions, all for less money than they needed to support
their homes.

Last year, an updated one-page Social Creed for the 21st Century,
approved in November 2007 by the General Assembly of the National
Council of Churches USA and Church World Service, sought to cut through
the lofty words of party platforms and to place urgent, specific social
concerns on the national conscience.

These concerns include the need for universal health care, campaign
reform, regulation of global trade, an end to torture and human
trafficking, and a steady increase in the human wage.

In a joint statement issued today, the three leaders said the major
party platforms indicate "the churches seem ready for more serious
change than either of the major parties, particularly on the need to
shift military spending to meet human needs and the need for greater
equality to strengthen democracy."

As candidates in both parties call for change on the American landscape,
the leaders said, "the Social Creed offers an explicit recognition that
change will not come without serious spiritual and communal discipline."

The leaders called on all Americans, regardless of how they intend to
vote this year, to commit themselves to the kind of change that will
benefit people of every faith, and of all walks of life.

The full text of the Social Creed of the 21st Century follows:

WE CHURCHES OF THE UNITED STATES have a message of hope for a fearful
time. 
Just as the churches responded to the harshness of early 20th Century
industrialization with a prophetic "Social Creed" in 1908, so in our era
of globalization we offer a vision of a society that shares more and
consumes less, seeks compassion over suspicion and equality over
domination, and finds security in joined hands rather than massed arms. 

Inspired by Isaiah's vision of a "peaceable kingdom," we honor the
dignity of every person and the intrinsic value of every creature, and
pray and work for the day when none "labor in vain or bear children for
calamity" (Isaiah 65:23). 

We do so as disciples of the One who came "that all may have life, and
have it abundantly" (John 10:10), and stand in solidarity with
Christians and with all who strive for justice around the globe. 

In faith, responding to our Creator, we celebrate the full humanity of
each woman, man, and child, all created in the divine image as
individuals of infinite worth, by working for:

Full civil, political and economic rights for women and men of all
races. 

Abolition of forced labor, human trafficking, and the exploitation of
children.

Employment for all, at a family-sustaining living wage, with equal pay
for comparable work.

The rights of workers to organize, and to share in workplace decisions
and productivity growth.

Protection from dangerous working conditions, with time and benefits to
enable full family life.

A system of criminal rehabilitation, based on restorative justice and an
end to the death penalty.  

In the love incarnate in Jesus, despite the world's sufferings and
evils, we honor the deep connections within our human family and seek to
awaken a new spirit of community, by working for:

Abatement of hunger and poverty, and enactment of policies benefiting
the most vulnerable. 

High quality public education for all and universal, affordable and
accessible healthcare.

An effective program of social security during sickness, disability and
old age. 

Tax and budget policies that reduce disparities between rich and poor,
strengthen democracy, and provide greater opportunity for everyone
within the common good. 

Just immigration policies that protect family unity, safeguard workers'
rights, require employer accountability, and foster international
cooperation. 

Sustainable communities marked by affordable housing, access to good
jobs, and public safety.

Public service as a high vocation, with real limits on the power of
private interests in politics.  

In hope sustained by the Holy Spirit, we pledge to be peacemakers in the
world and stewards of God's good creation, by working for: 

Adoption of simpler lifestyles for those who have enough; grace over
greed in economic life.

Access for all to clean air and water and healthy food, through wise
care of land and technology.  
Sustainable use of earth's resources, promoting alternative energy
sources and public transportation with binding covenants to reduce
global warming and protect populations most affected. 

Equitable global trade and aid that protects local economies, cultures
and livelihoods. 

Peacemaking through multilateral diplomacy rather than unilateral force,
the abolition of torture, and a strengthening of the United Nations and
the rule of international law.

Nuclear disarmament and redirection of military spending to more
peaceful and productive uses.

Cooperation and dialogue for peace and environmental justice among the
world's religions.  

We - individual Christians and churches - commit ourselves to a culture
of peace and freedom that embraces non-violence, nurtures character,
treasures the environment, and builds community, rooted in a
spirituality of inner growth with outward action.  We make this
commitment together-as members of Christ's body, led by the one
Spirit-trusting in the God who makes all things new.

NCC Press Contact:  Philip E. Jenks, 212-870-2228, NCCNews at ncccusa.org.