"When all the prisoners of the land are crushed under foot, when human rights are perverted in the presence of the Most High, when one's case is subverted - does the Lord not see it? (Lam. 3:34-36)

Working from a centuries-old commitment to the Social Gospel, we support the full complement of civil and human rights in our work and advocacy. We cannot determine how any group does not deserve to be full, inclusive members of society with all the rights and responsibilities full participation confers.

We have long been active in supporting the civil rights for those groups historically excluded from large parts of our society. We have been active in reaching out to every group that faces exclusion from full participation in our political, social, and economic life. The Council has long supported those whom the dominant society has vilified and excluded. From the days of women's suffrage through the internment of Japanese-Americans to those seeking justice in the Civil Rights and anti-war movement, we have reached out to those who need our comfort and support.

In 2001we responded to a growing crisis following the dark days of 9/11 and its aftermath. As we saw fear give rise to hate crimes against Muslims and those perceived to be, we created our congregational study guide, Building Bridges of Understanding to help people of faith understand others of different faith traditions. We continued this witness by being present publicly on behalf of all non-Christians who were under assault from extremists. By working with diverse coalitions to raise awareness of all that we share rather than focusing on divisions, we extend this same outreach and support to anyone from the gay and lesbian communities, to immigrants, to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, and to survivors of human trafficking or of torture - anyone who had become a victim of hate and inhumanity who needs us to support their human rights.

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We work on a wide array of civil rights issues. Here is an except from California Church IMPACT's Legislative Principles:

III. CIVIL RIGHTS
We believe that discrimination due to age, race, nationality, gender or sexual orientation in employment, education, housing, banking and the criminal justice system are fundamental civil rights issues and of deep concern to people of faith.

A. Gender Issues
Both men and women are created to grow into mature persons who develop their own particular abilities, choose their own life plans, and accept others in a spirit of cooperation, becoming both independent and interdependent. We believe that public policies should encourage women to develop and exercise their full potential as persons created in the image of God.

Therefore, we support policies that:

  1. 1. include women in decision-making roles and change behavior which treats women as subordinate persons.
  2. facilitate equal rights for women, specifically in these areas:
    a. Equal pay for work of comparable value;
    b. Protection against sexual harassment at home, in the work place, and through media and advertising;
    c. Affirmative action programs for women;
    d. Family leave for both parents;
    e. Supportive handling of victims and full prosecution in rape assault cases;
    f. Provision of shelters for battered women and their children;
    g. Job training and placement for displaced homemakers;
    h. Credit and loan opportunities;
    i. Conversion rights for previously-covered dependents of group health insurance plans.

B. Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual and Transgender Persons

Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, and Transgender persons are created in the image of God and are to be treated with dignity and as valued members of society.

Therefore, we support policies that:

  1. affirm civil rights and equal protection under the law in housing, health care, and employment.
  2. establish state recognition of domestic partnership, with full legal rights and responsibilities, as the means for promoting stable, monogamous, life long relationships among couples of the same gender.
  3. advocate for full state and federal marriage rights for same-gender couples, including immigration rights, tax rights, and all other rights and privileges guaranteed to legally married persons by the state and federal governments.

C. Aging
We believe that society has a responsibility to make adequate provision for aging people.

Therefore, we support policies that:

  1. ensure older persons are not deprived of affordable housing.
  2. provide adequate and appropriate health care.
  3. support the right of older persons to employment without discrimination on the basis of age.

D. Race and Ethnicity
All human beings, regardless of ethnicity, are created in God's image and represent the full expression of God's creative diversity.

Therefore, we support policies that:

  1. respect treaties and support the rights and opportunities of American Indians, particularly in relation to their land, water, treaties, culture and religious heritage.
  2. ensure the rights and opportunities of African, Asian, and Hispanic Americans and all other racial and ethnic groups to full participation in California life.
  3. promote affirmative action programs for persons of color.
  4. support equal pay for equal work.
  5. provide equal protection under the law and equal access to adequate legal counsel.

E. Disabled Persons
As God's creations, we are fashioned uniquely; each endowed with individuality of body, mind and spirit. Each has abilities; each seeks fulfillment and wholeness. Each of us has disabilities; each knows isolation and incompleteness.

Therefore, we support policies that:

  1. provide adequately for the basic needs of persons with mental, developmental, physical and/or emotional handicapping conditions.
  2. bring down barriers that inhibit persons with disabling conditions to fully participate in California's social, economic, spiritual, and cultural life.