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