You are invited to engage in a five-part discussion of the “Doctrine of Discovery,” a theological and legal concept that has legitimized the seizure of indigenous people's lands by those from so-called Christian nations.

Access the five sessions below.

 
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Session 1:
“What is the Doctrine of Discovery?” Definitions and Demarcations.
Aug. 11, 2021, 1:00 p.m. ET

Session 2:
“Whose Land?” The doctrinal legitimization of theft of the people’s land.
Oct. 13, 2021, 1:00 p.m. ET

Session 3:
“Pervasive and Self Perpetuating:” The continuous falsifying of narratives.
Dec. 8, 2021, 1:00 p.m. ET

Session 4:
“Centering and Othering:” Elevating white normativity, suppressing racial and indigenous identities.
Feb. 9, 2022, 1:00 p.m. ET

Session 5:
“Undoing the Doctrine:” Developing a theology of repentance and repair.
May 25, 2022, 1:00 p.m. ET

Session 1: What Is the Doctrine of Discovery? Definitions and Demarcations.

August 11, 2021 • 1:00 p.m. EDT (10:00 a.m. PDT / 12:00 p.m. CDT / 6:00 p.m. West African Time )

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Beginning with the Papal Bulls of the 15th century, the Doctrine of Discovery gave Christian explorers the right to claim lands they “discovered” and lay claim to those lands for their Christian Monarchs. Any land that was not inhabited by Christians was available to be “discovered”, claimed, and exploited.

 

Session 2: “Whose Land?” The doctrinal legitimization of theft of the people’s land.

October 13, 2021 • 1:00 p.m. EDT (10:00 a.m. PDT / 12:00 p.m. CDT / 6:00 p.m. West African Time )

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“Ours [Britain's] is a deeply entrenched culture of exclusive land possession, of privilege and poverty, begun with the Norman land grabs and legitimised by a 500-year system that spread from these shores and would go on to change the physical and psychological landscape of the world.”

— Rob Cowen, Common Ground

Session 3: “Pervasive and Self Perpetuating:” The continuous falsifying of narratives.

December 8, 2021 • 1:00 p.m. EST (10:00 a.m. PDT / 12:00 p.m. CST / 7:00 p.m. West African Time )

“The stories we tell about who we are as a nation, and the values that define us, are not fixed. They change as facts change. They change as the balance of power in society changes. Which is why regular people, not just governments, need to be active participants in this process of retelling and reimagining our collective stories, symbols, and histories.”

— Naomi Klein, On Fire: The Case for the Green New Deal

Session 4: “Centering and Othering:” Elevating white normativity, suppressing racial and indigenous identities.

February 9, 2022 • 1:00 p.m. EST (10:00 a.m. PST / 12:00 p.m. CST / 7:00 p.m. West African Time )

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“A mind at peace, a mind centered and not focused on harming others, is stronger than any physical force in the universe.”

— Wayne Dyer

Session 5: “Undoing the Doctrine:” Developing a theology and practice of repentance and repair.

May 25, 2022 • 1:00 p.m. EST (10:00 a.m. PST / 12:00 p.m. CST / 7:00 p.m. West African Time )

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“It may well be that we will have to repent in this generation. Not merely for the vitriolic words and the violent actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence and indifference of the good people who sit around and say, "Wait on time.”

― Martin Luther King Jr.

Stealing the Earth planning team

Bridget Cabrera, MFSA Executive Director
Rev. Neal Christie, Minister of Connected Engagement - Baltimore-Washington Conference
Rev. Alvin Deer, Native American International Caucus
Rev. Dr. Daniel Hawk, Professor of Hebrew Bible and Hebrew at Ashland Theological Seminary
John Wagner, United Methodist for Kairos Response
David Wildman, United Methodist for Kairos Response

Resources, Links, and Articles

  • Dismantling the Doctrine Resource list:

    Access a list of books, faith statements, international statements, videos, and policy issues that explores the Doctrine of Discovery.

    View the resource list

  • Article:

    Catholic bishop of Syracuse decries Doctrine of Discovery, suggests pope do the same
    (RNS) — Bishop Douglas J. Lucia said he hopes to meet with the Vatican to discuss a series of 15th-century papal proclamations used by European Christians to rationalize the subjugation of Indigenous peoples.

    Read More …

  • Music:

    Residential School Song (Indian Boarding School Song)

    YouTube link to a song by Cheryl Bear. Released in 2007.

    Hear the song …

  • Link:

    View a fact sheet on the Doctrine of Discovery.

    View/Download the fact sheet

  • United Methodist Position:

    The 2016 General Conference of The United Methodist Church adopted Resolution #3331 on the Doctrine of Discovery.

    View the resolution online

Series Sponsors

  • MFSA Logo

    Methodist Federation for Social Action

    Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) is an intersectional social justice nonprofit that mobilizes Justice-Seeking People of Faith to take action on issues of peace, poverty, and people’s rights within the church, the nation, and the world.

  • UMKR logo

    United Methodists for Kairos Response

    United Methodists are responding to Kairos Palestine: A Moment of Truth, a statement of faith and urgent call to action from Christians in Palestine. UMKR seeks, through nonviolent means and in partnership with Palestinian Christians, freedom, justice, and equality for all Palestinians and Israelis.

  • NAIC logo

    Native American International Caucus

    The Native American International Caucus is an advocate for Native peoples, ministries, communities within, as well as outside of the United Methodist Church. "International" in the context of this name means collaboration that occurs between indigenous nations of North America.