The Wendland-Cook Program in Religion and Justice at Vanderbilt Divinity School

In solidarity and agreement with many organizations, communities, and individuals around the world, we unequivocally condemn the violence that transpired in the events of January 6, 2021. These events culminated in the storming of the Capitol Building with the goal of interrupting the democratic political process and resulted in the death of several individuals. We reject undemocratic and anti-democratic abuse of power in all its forms, not only physical but also verbal and symbolic, perpetrated not only by direct actors but also by enablers of all sorts who visibly and behind the scenes continue to incite and encourage the mob. There can be no justification for these atrocities, and we strongly deplore the misuse of religion to anti-democratic ends in all of this, as we have in the past.

We agree with all people of good will that those responsible must be held accountable in every way, but more needs to be done. The events of January 6, 2021 have brought to public attention long-standing problems, tensions, and confusions in the United States and elsewhere that must be addressed and overcome. Among them are deep-rooted white supremacy, wide-spread sexism in all its forms, economic inequality unparalleled in history, and the pervasive misappropriation of religion. The symbols of white supremacy were clearly visible for everyone around the world to see on January 6, accompanied by manifold symbols of Christian nationalist supremacy, a combination common to fascist moments through time.

As we engage these interrelated problems that are now more clearly visible, we also need to investigate and deal with the often-unaddressed tensions produced by class inequalities that are covered up, intentionally and unintentionally, by the dynamics of racism, sexism, nationalism, and misguided Christianity. These cover-ups contribute to so many supporting the bidding of a white male billionaire president whose interests and goals represent the few rather than the many. Failure to engage in productive ways what is covered up everywhere will keep us divided, with little hope to make progress anywhere.

As members of the Wendland-Cook Program, in conversation with hundreds of faith communities and leaders around the world, we commit ourselves to joining all who are committed to overcoming the undemocratic specters that haunt the present. In order to do so, we believe we must address the root causes and seek to reconnect with the constructive trajectories of justice traditions and people’s movements in the past and today that build cooperative political, economic, and religious power. We maintain that our politics must be inspired by democracy and concerned about justice for all, that our economics must be propelled by people rather than profit, and that our various religions must reclaim and combine their best liberative trajectories for the benefit of all people and the planet.

For the Wendland-Cook Program in Religion and Justice -

Rev. Francisco Garcia,

Rev. Dr. Joerg Rieger,

Dr. Aaron Stauffer,

Marcus Trammell