The first, Anti-Racist Churches: Ecumenical Anti-Racism, Anti-Xenophobia, and Anti-Discrimination Contextual Bible Studies, continues on the long legacy of the WCC’s commitment to contribute to the dismantling of racial prejudices, racial discrimination, systemic racism, xenophobia, casteism, and all other forms of discrimination. “We call on all Christians to explore these sins and sinful practices in their own communities and begin to take decisive actions empowered by the word of God,” writes WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay in the foreword. “We believe we can overcome because the holy triune God is with us.” The second newly released resource is Anti-Bias Churches: An Ecumenical Anti-(Un)Conscious Bias Toolkit Unlearning—Undoing—Relearning— Redoing. The toolkit starts from the premise that many well-meaning people cause offence and pain every day, unintentionally or unconsciously. “Have you ever wondered why some social and political movements are becoming very popular by insisting on anti-immigration propaganda?” asks Pillay in the foreword. “Have you ever reflected on why, even though an institution has embraced equality, it still has only one ethnic group in charge of finance or other critical decision-making positions?” The toolkit addresses learned stereotypes. “I invite you, as an individual and as a community, to work on challenging our acquired knowledge, especially that in our subconscious about other people, to unlearn the stereotypes and biases that have the potential of souring relationships with sisters and brothers from other communities,” Pillay writes. The two resources are adaptable to specific contexts and the WCC encourages member churches to explore this dimension.
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