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COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Council of Churches is asking Christian congregations and other communities around Ohio to publicly declare racism to be a sin.

What You Need To Know

The Ohio Council of Churches announces the launch of a 13-week emphasis on combating racism across Ohio beginning with Anti-Racism on Oct. 19

The council points out that racism harms all workers, not just black communities

Participating congregations are being provided with educational resources to host the their discussions

The council encourages sermons with messages on anti-racism to be held on or near Oct. 19.

Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan Jr., the council’s Executive Director, states that racism contradicts the clear teachings of Jesus Christ citing scriptures from the Holy Bible. Hebrew scriptures and the Holy Koran also condemn racism and oppression.

The council announced a 13-week emphasis on combating racism in all forms will be launched by congregations across Ohio beginning with Anti-Racism Sunday on Oct. 19.

The initiative is planned to culminate with the national celebration of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday in January.

“In an era where hard-fought racial justice and diversity firewalls have been attacked and voided,” said Sullivan, “and as faith is being weaponized to give the scandalous appearance of divine endorsement of racialized hate, Anti-Racism Sunday is an opportunity for Christians and their neighbors of different faiths to clearly and publicly set the record straight: God does not support racism, and neither do we!” 

Working-class whites and other groups are harmed by American racism alongside Black communities, according to the council’s Anti-Racism Team.

“When racism triumphs, all workers lose,”  said Haney Lopez, a Scholar cited in an AFL-CIO policy briefing.

The Ohio Council of Churches, celebrating its 105th year, represents 17 Christian denominations and is described as the largest and most diverse group of Christians in Ohio.

The council maintains connections to both the National Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches.

Participating congregations and faith leaders have been urged to notify the council of their plans via email at info@ohcouncilchs.org. Anti-racism resources are being offered on the council’s website.