A Resolution on Antisemitism
THE THIRD ASSEMBLY OF THE
WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
Reacting to fresh incidents of antisemitism in Germany and elsewhere the Assembly, held from 19 November to 5 December 1961 in New Delhi, passed a resolution on antisemitism.
Upon recommendation to the Policy Reference Committee, and after amendment from the floor, it was voted to adopt the following resolution:
The Third Assembly recalls the following words which were addressed to the churches by the First Assembly of the World Council of Churches in 1948:
We call upon all the churches we represent to denounce anti-semitism, no matter what its origin, as absolutely irreconcilable with the profession and practice of the Christian faith. Anti-semitism is sin against God and man. Only as we give convincing evidence to our Jewish neighbours that we seek for them the common rights and dignities which God wills for his children, can we come to such a meeting with them as would make it possible to share with them the best which God has given us in Christ.
The Assembly renews this plea in view of the fact that situations continue to exist in which Jews are subject to discrimination and even persecution. The Assembly urges its member churches to do all in their power to resist every form of anti-semitism. In Christian teaching the historic events which led to the Crucifixion should not be so presented as to fasten upon the Jewish people of today responsibilities which belong to our corporate humanity and not to one race or community. Jews were the first to accept Jesus and Jews are not the only ones who do not yet recognize him.