3. Something went wrong in our country. The most basic value of respect for one another has been destroyed to a large extent. This is confirmed by the high incidence of:

4. Murder and rape Robbery and other crimes Neglect and disabilities Poverty Discrimination against women Loneliness of people Contempt for others Farm attacks

5. Neglect of children Homophobia Violence against vulnerable people Xenophobia Racism Unfair exclusion of people Labeling and generalisation

6. The dignity of people is affected through systemic realities when: the sick do not have access to medical aid, children do not have access to good education, the disabled are excluded in a discriminatory manner, people do not have access to basic services, people do not have access to job opportunities.

7. The dignity of people is also affected by the following conscious or sub-conscious behaviour: When women are regarded as inferior simply because they are not men. When people are excluded purely on the grounds of their sexual orientation. When the poor are left to their own devices. When people are judged simply by the colour of their skin. When workers are exploited through inadequate compensation. When we think and talk about people through generalisations.

8. When positions of power are abused in such a way that people are oppressed and undermined – thereby affecting their human dignity.

9. When people are excluded or considered inferior, their voices are not heard. This is humiliating.

10. The Bible speaks a different language. The Bible teaches us that:

11. God gives value to all people. He enters into a relationship with all people. He became a human being himself. He gave his life for everyone. He gives people new life through Him.

12. Jesus reaches out to those who are rejected.

13. He frees the possessed and heals the sick.

14. He restores the value of women and children in society.

15. He crosses barriers and reaches out to those who have been disregarded.

16. He forgives and delivers people from their past.

17. He gives to people His grace and peace.

18. People discover their value when they receive His love and respect and realise that they are valued.

19. God enters into a relationship with each person irrespective of his/her abilities, inherent qualities, performance, origin, contribution to society, perceived value or the lack thereof. Therefore all people have value, because God has decided in His love to enter into a relationship with each person.

20. He gives his Spirit that we can follow His example and have new life through the Holy Trinity.

21. In the Season of Human Dignity the four sister churches commit themselves to: 1. Proclaim the God-given value of people; 2. Interact with people in such a way that it becomes a testimony to the value God has given to every person; 3. In our unity with one another to embody our mutual respect;

22. 4. Motivate everybody in South Africa to see, hear and experience others as a gift from God; 5. Promote and emphasise four values: RESPEK | RESPECT LUISTER | LISTENING OMARMING | EMBRACEMENT SELFLOOSHEID | SELFLESSNESS

23. How are we going to do this? To echo the Biblical message of human dignity; to create safe places where people can listen to one another; to tell stories that promote understanding; to think and reflect about the meaning of God’s commitment to people; by using a new religious vocabulary;

24. by disseminating reading and study material; by reaching across barriers, taking hands and learning from one another; by living out the values of the Season of Human Dignity. We are going to be disciples of Jesus by acknowledging the God-given human dignity of all people.

25. Through the Season of Human Dignity we want to: 1. Proclaim the love of God; 2. follow Jesus, our Lord, in his compassion for people; 3. embody in our relationships with one another that which we believe and confess of God’s love; 4. in such a way contribute to the healing of our country.