Petition Text: 22454-CS-NonDis-O

The great strength of U.S. society has always been that its citizens believed that despite hardship, inequities, and injustice, the system has the capacity to be fundamentally fair and offers the possibility of a better life to all its citizens. This belief, despite segregation, led Blacks to work to reform and not overthrow the system. It led women, despite patriarchy and discrimination, to demand and work for full participation in the system. In the worst social crisis of this century, the Great Depression, widespread unrest and upheaval was avoided when the system moved quickly to assist the poor and the unemployed. In these times of crisis, the U.S. people have joined together for the common good, drawing upon a deep-seated sense of fairness and compassion rooted in their religious and ethical traditions.

Today, this "social contract," which has been the glue holding together a nation as diverse as any in the world, is being replaced by a new spirit of divisiveness and narrow self-interest. It is as though the challenge of John F. Kennedy, "Ask what you can do for your country," has been changed to "Ask only what's in it for you." This has led to a massive upward redistribution of wealth in U.S. society until today the top 5% have more wealth than the bottom 40% combined. Conspicuous consumption and waste goes hand in hand with rising homelessness, children born into poverty and the elderly forced into it. As this process continues, middle America, for the first time since the Depression, has seen its standard of living decline and can no longer expect the next generation to have a better life.

The response of our political leadership to this crisis has been to point the finger of blame at those deemed responsible---the poor. In a "big lie" reminiscent of Nazi Germany, the problems of U.S. society are blamed on teenage mothers, welfare recipients, racial minorities, women's liberation, programs of social welfare, and homosexuals.

Encouraged by demagogic politicians, mean-spirited talk-show hosts, and millionaire tele-evangelists, the social contract that has bound this nation together since the Civil War is being systematically unraveled, with the result that increasing numbers of Americans are forced into poverty, unemployment, low-wage jobs, and homelessness, while their children are denied the education that once promised that children of poverty could aspire to a better life than that of their parents. The direction is clear: as economic and social conditions worsen, those who benefit from injustice and inequality will become increasingly strident in placing blame on the poor and the powerless; and the downward spiral will continue until the nation explodes in civil unrest and the repression of a police state.

In such a climate of anger, violence, and stridency, even Jesus would be derided were he to call in to one of the popular talk shows and call for a rebirth of compassion. There are few politicians in either major party who are willing to challenge the ethics of selfishness, greed, and scapegoating, which characterize politics today. Too few voices challenge the culture of sex, violence, self-indulgence, and instant gratification spewed into millions of homes 24 hours a day.

We believe that it is to such a time and such a mission that God is calling the church 2000 years after the Savior's birth. It is the unique mission of the religious community to call this nation to a rebirth of compassion. How prophetic today are the words of Jesus, quoting Isaiah: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor" (Luke 4:18).

In this spirit, we call upon United Methodists throughout the land not only to feed the hungry and house the homeless, but to work for policies that will end hunger and homelessness. We call upon our bishops to speak boldly for those who cannot speak for themselves--against economic policies that benefit the few at the expense of the many, against violence toward women and homosexuals, and against the continued militarization of a nation with no external threat.

We call on our people to support candidates for office who are committed to policies of full employment, universal health insurance, long-term health care, quality public education for all children, reduced military spending, and progressive taxation.

Finally, we call on our churches to reach out in love and compassion to all persons, regardless of race, economic condition, sexual preference, and religious persuasion, becoming beacons of love in a stormy sea of hatred, discrimination, and violence. Let us be signs of the coming reign of God in our midst---a reign marked by compassion and justice.

General Conference Index | PETS Index | Petition Information Index

General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn

Petition Text: 22454-CS-NonDis-O
1996 United Methodist General Conference