something went wrong in our country. the most basic value of respect for one another has been...

Something went wrong

in our country.

The most basic value of respect for

one another has been destroyed

to a large extent.

This is confirmed by

the high incidence of:

Murder and rape

Robbery and other crimes

Neglect and disabilities

Poverty

Discrimination against women

Loneliness of people

Contempt for others

Farm attacks

Neglect of children

Homophobia

Violence against vulnerable people

Xenophobia

Racism

Unfair exclusion of people

Labeling and generalisation

The dignity of people is affected through

systemic realities when:

the sick do not have access to medical aid,

children do not have access to good education,

the disabled are excluded in a

discriminatory manner,

people do not have access to basic services,

people do not have access to job opportunities.

The dignity of people is also affected by the following conscious or sub-conscious behaviour:

When women are regarded as inferior simply because they are not men.

When people are excluded purely on the grounds of their sexual orientation.

When the poor are left to their own devices.

When people are judged simply by

the colour of their skin.

When workers are exploited

through inadequate compensation.

When we think and talk about people through generalisations.

When positions of power are abused

in such a way that people are

oppressed and undermined –

thereby affecting their human dignity.

When people are excluded

or considered inferior,

their voices

are not heard.

This is humiliating.

The Bible speaks a different language. The Bible teaches us that:

God gives value to all people.

He enters into a relationship

with all people.

He became a human being himself.

He gave his life for everyone.

He gives people new life through Him.

Jesus reaches out to those who are rejected.

He frees the possessed

and heals the sick.

He restores the value

of women and children

in society.

He crosses barriers and reaches out

to those who have been disregarded.

He forgives and delivers people

from their past.

He gives to people His grace and peace.

People discover their value

when they receive His love and respect

and realise that they are valued.

God enters into a relationship with each

person irrespective of his/her abilities,

inherent qualities, performance, origin,

contribution to society, perceived value

or the lack thereof.

Therefore all people have value,

because God has decided in His love

to enter into a relationship

with each person.

He gives his Spirit that

we can follow

His example and

have new life through

the Holy Trinity.

In the Season of Human Dignity the four sister churches commit themselves to:

1. Proclaim the God-given value of people;

2. Interact with people in such a way

that it becomes a testimony to the

value God has given to every person;

3. In our unity with one another to embody

our mutual respect;

4. Motivate everybody in South Africa

to see, hear and experience others

as a gift from God;

5. Promote and emphasise four values:RESPEK | RESPECT

LUISTER | LISTENINGOMARMING | EMBRACEMENT

SELFLOOSHEID | SELFLESSNESS

How are we going to do this?

To echo the Biblical message of

human dignity;

to create safe places where people

can listen to one another;

to tell stories that promote understanding;

to think and reflect about the meaning

of God’s commitment to people;

by using a new religious vocabulary;

by disseminating reading and study material;

by reaching across barriers, taking hands and learning from one another;

by living out the values of the Season of Human Dignity.

We are going to be disciples of Jesus

by acknowledging the God-given human

dignity of all people.

Through the Season of Human

Dignity we want to:1. Proclaim the love of God;

2. follow Jesus, our Lord, in his compassion

for people;

3. embody in our relationships with one another that which we believe and confess of God’s love;

4. in such a way contribute to the healing of our country.