Religion and Justice: Repudiating the Doctrine of Discovery
In 1452, a Papal decree was issued that theologically justified the right of Christian nations to conquer and confiscate indigenous lands on behalf of Christendom. This practice eventually became international law known as the Doctrine of Discovery. The U.S. Supreme Court adopted this law as the law of these lands, and cases continue to be decided based on this legal precedent. For over 45 years, UU fellowships have worked to understand this doctrine’s impact on current day policies and beliefs. Several other religious organizations have repudiated the Doctrine of Discovery in recent years. At this service, we’ll explore some of the confluences of religious history, justice, and equity and lift up some examples that are working towards reparations and the rights of Indigenous peoples.