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Bartholomew of Constantinople Statement for World Conference against racism IntraText CT - Text

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From an OrthodoxChristianperspective, the virtues of diversity and toleranceprovide the fundamentals for a Christianlife, much in the same manner as do sunlight and water in the nurturing of a plant. Without either of these virtues, nourishment is lacking and spiritualdeath is inevitable.

An OrthodoxChristiancelebrates the diversity of the entirety of God's creation, rejoicing in the infinitemultitude of beauty and meaning which only diversity can trulymanifest. We recognize that diversity is fundamentallynecessary for the achievement and sustenance of unity amongst all the members of the Church in the very same Body of Christ. Whenever humanbeingsfail to recognize the value of diversity, they deeplydiminish the glory of God's creation. Following the example of the threepersons of the HolyTrinity--the Father, the Son, and the HolySpirit--all humanbeings are called to existrelationally to one another, united in the bond of love, as different and uniquepersons, each endowed with specifictalents and characteristics, each created in the image and likeness of God. All humanbeings--regardless of religion, race, nationalorigin, color, creed, or gender--are livingicons of God, innatelyworthy of such respect and dignity. Whenever humanbeingsfail to treat others with this respect, they insultGod, the Creator, as is explained through the teachings of the ChristianScriptures.

OrthodoxChristians throughout the worldliveside by side with peoples of other religions and Christianconfessions. With the rapidrise of advancement in communication and mobility, humanbeings are increasinglyliberated from the geographicalboundaries which used to separate them. As a result of recastboundaries, people now find themselves living in a globalvillageamidstnewneighbors who representwidelydifferingworldperspectives, histories, and cultures. The realities of pluralismchallenge each person in the globalvillage to reflect more critically upon the teachings of his or her own faith, in light of the multitude of differingperspectives. An OrthodoxChristianresponds to these challenges with the understanding that we must always be tolerant of the perspectives of others, especially when such perspectivesdiffer on the basis of religious, cultural, or historicalideology.

The OrthodoxChurch does not seek to convince others of any one particularunderstanding of truth or revelation, nor does it seek to convert others to a particularmode of thinking. Rather, she calls all persons from all walks of life to feel the heartbeat of the Church, to sense the breath of lifeinhaling and exhaling from her body--the body of Christ--and to experience her maternallove and comfort, thereby being at peace while listeningopenly to the perspective of the other with respect and tolerance.

The opposite of the perspective of respect and tolerance is the perspective of fear and self-righteousness. Whenever humanbeingsreact to the perspectives and beliefs of others on the basis of fear and self-righteousness, they violate the God-givenright and freedom of others to come to knowGod and one another in the mannerinherent to their identity as peoples. Unfortunately, as a result of sin in the world, the effects of which leadultimately to spiritualdeath, humanbeings are easilypredisposed to viewing others on the basis of fear. Such xenophobictendencies are chiefly the result of being out of communion with God, who calls all members of His creation into His love and eternalpresence. We see the first example of such an occurrence in the book of Genesis, when Adamfellprey to the effects of evil in the world, beingforced away from the closecommunion which he had enjoyed with God, the Creator of the world. Yet God, out of His love for humankind, continues to call all humanbeings into perfectcommunion with Him. When humanbeings are in communion with God, who Himself is the very essence of inexhaustiblelove, xenophobia-- fear of the other--is not possible since humanbeings do not see each other as strangers, but rather as brothers and sisters in communion with the lovingLord.

Central, therefore, to the teachings of the OrthodoxChurch is the fundamentalbelief that Christianity must play an activerole in efforts toward the reconciliation of all peoples. This understanding is based upon the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, who preached a messageprecisely of reconciliation, engaging in dialogue and conversation with peoples from all walks of life with the simpletwo-foldmessage to loveGod with all their hearts and to love their neighbor as they would themselves. The reconciliatoryrole of Christianity can only be initiated and sustained by and through the voice and ear of genuinetolerance. The virtue of tolerance, together with its twinvirtuediversity, reflect the divineattributes of love which Godmaintains in His essenceperfectly, infinitely, indescribably, and inexhaustibly. The OrthodoxChurch, which heralds this message of love, the ChristianGospel, categoricallycondemnsracism, xenophobia, and all other forms of relatedintolerance as destructive to the vision of peace which Goddesires and which humanbeings, organizations of goodwill, and above all the Church, aim to promote. Furthermore, the OrthodoxChurchcommends all organizations of social, international, and politicalcharacter which are dedicated to the pursuit of justice, believing that the work of such organizationsserves to advance the good of society, and as such is most pleasing before God.

Finally, we wish upon all men and women of all ages, religions, races, colors, creeds, and nations of our planetEarthpeace and goodwill, beseeching our great and lovingGod that He grant to all of us the wisdom to trulysee one another as we have been created, namely as brothers, sisters, and children of the Lord. May the infinitelove of God be with you all. Amen.

 

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