86-F                           Resolution Against Apartheid

 

 

WHEREAS we are called by the liberating Gospel and resurrection of Jesus Christ to help those who are oppressed, and

WHEREAS this help must sometimes be in the form of political and eco­nomic pressures because of the situation, and

WHEREAS LSM-USA has in past: resolutions called for the disinvestment of monies from the United States to South:. Africa, and

WHEREAS Apartheid, meaning "separate development," is the systematic and constitutional oppression of the non-white population of South Africa by its white-ruled government. It has its begin­ning in Holy Communion over a century ago (1) and is founded on Biblical proof-texting.(2) lt is now used to deny non-whites prosperity and dignity primarily for economic gains of the Apartheid regime,' and

WHEREAS the non-whites of South Africa have struggled for decades non-violently to liberate themselves form the government, and some have had to turn to violence in the last few years because the world has not heard their cry for freedom,.!-;and

WHEREAS the time is too late for a gradual change  and the best way  to help the blacks overcome the oppression is to pressure the government of South Africa to dismantle Apartheid immediately

in order to stop the inevitable violence and revolution which would occur if there is no change, and

WHEREAS American investment and trade has helped the South African government strengthen its repression of the non-whites,(4) and

WHEREAS for the United States and U.S. companies to remain economically tied to South Africa increases this strength and helps to maintain the status quo which is Apartheid,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT LSM-USA become actively involved in the dismantling of Apartheid by:

1.       having the president of LSM-USA write a letter to President Reagan calling for stronger economic sanctions against South Africa,

2.       having the president of ISM-USA write a letter to Prime Minister Pieter Botha calling for an end to the policy of Apartheid.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT individuals of ISM-USA become actively in­volved by:

1. writing letters to their senators and representatives calling stronger economic sanctions,

 

 

2.  becoming involved in the campaign by students to persuade their schools to divest from twelve target companies call for the National Council of Churches of Christ, Africa Office which several schools have already followed.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT all members of LSM-USA pray for a quick and peaceful solution, for the oppressed to gain their freedom, and for the oppressors to lose their fear of retribution, so that the people of South Africa may be one. 

 

Sponsored by the International and Ecumenical Relations Committee of the 1985-86 LSM-USA National Council the 1985-86 LSM-USA National Council.

 

References:

 

1.  Loff, Chris, “The History of a Heresy,” Apartheid is a Heresy, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1983

2.  Bosch, David, “Nothing But a Heresy,” Ibid.

3.  Pamphlet of the National Council of Churches of Christ, Africa Office, “South Africa:  A Guide to Campus Involvement and Activity,” pp. 2-6.

4.  Ibid., pp. 6-8.

5.  Ibid., pp. 12. List of the twelve companies:

 

            Burroughs                                             General Electric

            Chevron                                                General Motors

            Citicorp                                                 IBM

            Control Data                                         Mobil

            Fluor                                                     Newmont Mining

            Ford                                                     Texaco

 

For the pamphlet, write:

            National Council of Churches of Christ

            Africa Office

            475Riverside Drive

            New York, NY 10115