Repentance for Support of Eugenics

Resolution 3184 – The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church: 2016

Background

Eugenics—the belief that certain “genetic” traits are good and others bad—is often associated with Adolf Hitler’s extreme policies that led to the Holocaust. But the study of eugenics predates Hitler, beginning with Sir Francis Galton in England (a cousin of Charles Darwin).

In his 1864–65 article Hereditary Character and Talent, Galton argued for breeding “better humans,” making clear his belief in the superiority of some racial groups and inferiority of others. Galton’s successors—including Major Leonard Darwin—moved the movement from “positive eugenics” (encouraging those with “desirable” traits to reproduce) to “negative eugenics” (lowering birth rates of those deemed “unfit”).

Built into natural selection is competition between strong and weak. Eugenicists argued charity (including churches’ care for the poor and weak) thwarted this “natural” process.

Methodist and Church Support

Ironically, as the movement spread to the U.S., Methodists, Presbyterians, and Episcopalians embraced it:

  • Methodist churches promoted American Eugenics Society “Fitter Family Contests.”

  • Methodist bishops endorsed early pro-eugenics booksRepentance for Support of Eugen….

  • Leaders like Rev. Harry F. Ward (progressive) claimed Christianity and eugenics were compatibleRepentance for Support of Eugen….

  • Rev. Clarence True Wilson (conservative) tied eugenics to racist, white supremacist beliefsRepentance for Support of Eugen….

  • Methodist clergy served on planning committees of Race Betterment Conferences (1914–15).

  • Pastors submitted eugenics sermons to contests.

  • Bishop Francis McConnell chaired Religion & Eugenics discussions in 1936.

  • Laity joined in, publishing sermons like George Huntington Donaldson’s Eugenics: A Lay Sermon.

Both the Methodist Episcopal Church and Methodist Episcopal Church, South supported eugenics. While often framed as “positive eugenics,” support extended to sterilization laws and racialized marriage restrictions.

U.S. Eugenics Laws

  • Indiana (1907) passed the first forced sterilization law; 33 states followed.

  • Model laws provided for sterilization of “feeble minded, insane, epileptic, diseased, blind, deaf, deformed, and dependent” persons.

  • Virginia (1924) passed both a sterilization law and the Racial Integrity Act (banning interracial marriage).

  • By the 1970s, 60,000 Americans had been involuntarily sterilized.

  • Hitler’s Nazi government adopted U.S. model laws, sterilizing 350,000 people, before extending policies into genocideRepentance for Support of Eugen….

Even into the late 20th century, U.S. states and global family planning programs used sterilization. California repealed its law in 1979; Virginia expressed regret in 2001. Other states (Oregon, North Carolina) also apologized. The UMC General Conference condemned forced sterilization but had not apologized for church leaders’ complicity.

Repentance

Matthew’s genealogy (Matthew 1:1–16) reminds us Jesus’ family included Jews and Gentiles alike. Christians are not called by genetic identity, but to follow Christ.

The United Methodist General Conference formally apologizes for Methodist leaders and bodies that supported eugenics as sound science and theology.

We lament:

  • Sterilizations of persons deemed unworthy.

  • Use of eugenics to block interracial marriage and family formation.

  • How Methodist support gave theological cover to racist and exclusionary policies.

  • The genocide enabled by eugenics ideology in Nazi Germany and “ethnic cleansing” worldwide.

We urge United Methodist annual conferences to:

  • Educate members about eugenics.

  • Advocate for ethical uses of science.

Adoption History

  • Adopted 2008: Resolution #3185

  • Readopted 2012: Resolution #3184

  • Amended & Readopted 2016: Resolution #3184Repentance for Support of Eugen…

See also: Social Principles – Other Social Issues: Reproductive Health and Abortion.