GC32 Racism (1988R117.02)

WHEREAS various individuals and organizations in Canada are publishing and distributing “hate literature” against Jews and other racial and ethnic groups;

WHEREAS such writings and distribution of racist ideas and material are in direct opposition to the spirit of Jesus Christ who taught love, reconciliation and the brotherhood/sisterhood of the human family;

WHEREAS The United Church of Canada has no formal written policy regarding anti-semitism and racism;

WHEREAS presently in Canada anti-semitism is taking the form of  “Holocaust denial” and a “Jewish world conspiracy”;

WHEREAS the Jewish community in Canada and the world at large is being slandered, denigrated and maligned through the writings of such people as Ernst Zundel and Malcolm Ross;

WHEREAS the writings of anti-semitism and racists have led, throughout history, to genocide and all manner of unimaginable suffering, misery and horror to the Jewish people and other ethnic and religious groups:

THEREFORE be it resolved that:

Woolastook Presbytery petition General Council through Maritime Conference to:

1. Prepare a formal written policy regarding anti-semitism and racism;

2. Prepare a mission study on anti-semitism and racism for use in The United Church of Canada in the near future;

3. Request all provincial departments of education to include within their public school systems a source on Holocaust studies;

4. Request the Canadian government to implement Article 4 Part 1 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights with the view to ensuring that Canadian Criminal Law reflects the full intention of Article 4 Part 1 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;

5. Prepare a formal apology to the Jewish community in Canada for the silence of The United Church of Canada during the years of 1933-1945 when millions of innocent Jewish people were being murdered in Europe.