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All
human beings are created in the image of God (Gen. 1:27) and we
who follow Jesus are called to love one another as he loves us (John
15:1317).
"In
sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally
in Gods image, male and female, of every race and people, to live
as one community" (The Book of Confessions, 10.3, lines 2932).
The
161st General Assembly (1949) of the Presbyterian Church in the
United States of America voted its support of the United Nations
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and General Assemblies since
have consistently advocated the protection of the basic human rights
for all people.
As
people of the Word, we are challenged to be sensitive to the power
of language and symbols, not only to reflect the world around us,
but also to help us to shape that world.
The
use of negative stereotypes in language, imagery, and symbols denies
the image of God in human beings; undermines human dignity; has
a negative impact upon self-image, self-awareness, and sense of
human worth; and can foster an atmosphere in which hate grows, coming
to expression in violence against individuals based on their innate
characteristics.
The
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has had a historic involvement in Native
American ministries and has been an advocate for the rights of Native
American people.
The
abuse of Christian symbols, such as the cross and chalice, for entertainment
and/or profit is insulting, insensitive, and an affront to Christian
spirituality, and is, therefore, unacceptable.
The
abuse of Native American symbols, such as the headdress, feathers,
and sacred pipe, for entertainment and/or profit is insulting, insensitive,
and an affront to Native American spirituality, and is, therefore,
unacceptable.
The
use of stereotypes and imagery as names and logos by professional,
amateur, and school sports teams dehumanizes Native Americans.
Entered
by the Office of the General Assembly
May
3, 1999
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