# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1959_S317
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

MISCELLANEOUS 317

Wuereas, Idle speculations on this point can be dangerous and
misleading; and

Wuereas, The criteria by which men have traditionally made
racial distinctions among human beings are only superficial char-
acteristics, the significance of which has been magnified and grossly
exaggerated in the popular mind; and

Wuereas, The Christian’s understanding of nationality and

race should be based upon the soundest theological interpretations
and the most reliable scientific evidence available; and

Wuereas, In the present state of our Biblical and scientific
knowledge we possess no evidence to prove the alleged innate
superiority or inferiority of any race of people; and

Wuereas, Most tests indicate that the innate intellectual capac-
ity of all races is essentially the same, although there is consider-
able variation within each race; and

Wuereas, We must conclude from such knowledge as is avail-
able that it is wrong for the Christian to try to justify any kind
of racial discrimination on the basis of unwarranted and erroneous
assumptions; therefore be it

Resolved, That we continue our efforts to combat erroneous
ideas about race and that we encourage our pastors, teachers, pro-
fessors, and laymen to utilize every appropriate opportunity to
combat ignorance and prejudice by stressing in our congregations,
schools, colleges, seminaries, and our daily lives those truths about
race which are in accord with sound theology and true science.

Cc

Wuereas, The Synod saw fit to adopt a resolution on race rela-
tions at its St. Paul convention in 1956 which, along with a number
of other desirable recommendations, “acknowledges our responsi-
bility as a church to provide guidance for our members to work in
the capacity of Christian citizens for the elimination of discrimina-
tion, wherever it may exist, in community, city, state, nation, and
world”; and

Wuerxas, It is essential to the effective implementation of this
praiseworthy resolution that its implications be explained to our
clergy and laity; therefore be it

Resolved, That we urge the editors of the LuTHERAN WITNESS
and other official publications and literature to give frequent ex-
pression to the stand which our church has taken on racial dis-
crimination, as set forth in the resolution adopted in St. Paul.

Action: These resolutions were adopted.