Resolution 5306. Social Principles as a Guide to Combating Extreme Nationalism

As Christians we are called by our baptism into the priesthood of all believers. This leads us to abide in the Holy Bible. These Scriptures are the bedrock for the United Methodist Social Principles, which encourage us to grow into loving communion with each other and the world.

In our current global climate, there has been a recent increase of extreme and prejudicial nationalism. Extreme nationalism is defined as identification with one’s own nation and support for its interests, especially to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations. This type of nationalism is acting as a harmful and divisive force. We believe that the church should have a strong ethical voice in politics and act as a moral compass to its members both lay and clergy, while providing a positive witness to the world.

We challenge the church to speak truth into the world and call all United Methodists to be led by its Social Principles instead of personal, national, political, or cultural alliances.

All preaching and teaching concerning social issues should be based faithfully in the Social Principles and Scripture on which they are based.

Therefore, we ask the church to denounce policies and practices that violate the Social Principles. We call the church to uphold policies that are in line with the Social Principles in all contexts.