The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) mourns over the senseless violence that took place in Charlottesville, Virginia, last weekend. We join fellow Christians throughout the nation in praying for the families who lost loved ones and for healing in our country.

In times of national tragedy and crisis, evangelical Christians turn to the Word of God for direction. God created human beings in his image, and thus all people share in divine dignity (Genesis 1:26). No race or ethnicity is greater or more valuable than another. Evangelicals believe that the good news of Jesus Christ has the power to break down racial and ethnic barriers (Ephesians 2:14-18).

Evangelicalism within the United States is a diverse movement, with evangelical beliefs being held by 44 percent of African Americans, 30 percent of Hispanics, 29 percent of whites, and 17 percent of people from other ethnicities. [1] There are also millions of others around the world who hold evangelical beliefs. Evangelicals look forward to the day when believers from “every nation, tribe, people and language” will join as one and celebrate the redeeming work of Jesus Christ together (Revelation 7:9-10).

The NAE condemns white supremacy and all groups, such as the KKK and Neo-Nazis, that champion it. Racism should not only be addressed after tragic events, but regularly in our communities of faith. Churches in the United States can lead the way in combatting attitudes and systems that perpetuate racism.

 

[1] LifeWay Research conducted this study Sept. 8-21, 2015 through a random digit dial phone survey (50 percent landline, 50 percent cell) of 1,000 Americans. In this study “evangelical” is defined using the NAE LifeWay Research Evangelicals Beliefs Research Definition based on respondent beliefs.