AACC Statement on the Violent Attack on the U.S. Capitol
January 8, 2021
We at the Asian American Christian Collaborative denounce the violent attack that took place at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. We oppose any attempt at sedition and any attempt to derail the lawful and peaceful transfer of power. We lament that five people bearing God’s image needlessly lost their lives, that many law enforcement officers were injured, and that the safety of our elected officials, their staff members, and others who serve at the U.S. Capitol was threatened.
What the world was able to witness is a nation in crisis, in part, because the church in America has failed, and continues to fail to address the longstanding syncretism between white supremacy, nationalism, and Christianity. We confess Christian complicity in the rioting that took place. As AACC President, Raymond Chang stated, “For nooses and confederate flags to so comfortably exist alongside signs that bear the name of Christ and declare ‘Jesus saves’ in front of the US Capitol building, shows that there are deep allegiances that have not been sufficiently interrogated and disentangled.” The rhetoric of President Trump and many other political leaders who rouse their increasingly polarized bases, is not only dividing the country, but leading to chaos, violence, and destruction.
As Christians we believe in truth because God is truth, yet for too long, too many Christian leaders have remained silent in the spreading of falsehoods. Worse, many have participated in spreading them. We lament this fact and our complicity in the events that took place – including among the Asian American Christian community. We also confess that it is our failure in discipling our congregants that they struggle to discern between truth and falsehoods, perpetuated by partisan idolatry.
As Christians, we uphold God’s calls for justice and righteousness. We also uphold calls for shalom in the midst of chaos. As Christians we are called to pursue the peace and the welfare of society. What we witnessed is wholly incompatible with God’s call for His people and a threat to American democracy.
