Global archive #1

Global and Social Issues Archive # 1
May 2000 through May 2001.

Click here for more recent reports.

Citizens call for a "rolling blackout" on June 21 as a symbolic act of protest against current anti-environmental policies [5-30-01]

Americans United for Separation of Church and State sees Supreme Court action on Ten Commandments display as a healthy step against "government-supported religion." [5-31-01]

And a pastor suggests positive ways of teaching the Ten Commandments in our churches [5-30-01]

Presbyterian mission co-worker seeks help in urging U.S. senators to support new Reformed University, successor to Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Colombia, South America [5-28-01]

In an e-mail note dated 5/20/01, Witherspoon member Alice Winters wrote from Barranquilla, Colombia, explaining that the new university is in the final stages of seeking government approval. Given the close ties between the governments of Colombia and the U.S., a word from the U.S. ambassador could be very helpful, and we can urge our senators in Washington to encourage the ambassador to speak such a word.

Check her note for more details.

Eco-Justice Conference speaks up for those threatened by US policies and global warming
[5-28-01]

Witherspoooners Harold Barton and Brian Christofferson attended the Eco-Justice Conference which was held last week in Washington, DC., sponsored and planned by the National Council of Churches. As their first report on this important event, they have forwarded the latest issue of the e-list "Eco-Justice Notes."

Peter Sawtell, Executive Director of Eco-Justice Ministries, recounts the day of lobbying on Capitol Hill by 350 conference participants. They visited legislators on behalf of the Gwich'in people and the caribou herd that will be devastated by oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; the people of Bangladesh, who will be among the most impacted victims of global warming; future generations, whose needs and interest are not adequately considered in short-sighted energy policies.

"We dared to remind our Senators and Representatives," he writes, "of the notion of sacrifice, and we called upon them to provide leadership of the sort that carries political risk."

Check out the full report.

An Israeli rabbi works for peace and justice in Israel and Palestine

Witherspooner Darrell Yeaney shares this report from a rabbi who sees non-violence as offering some hope in the continuing conflicts between Israelis and Palestinians. [5-28-01]

Presbyterian Washington Office alerts us to education bill that threatens church-state separation. [5-15-01]

Mothers launch campaign against marketing to children [5-5-01]

New Jersey pastor Bruce Gillette writes from # 1 Superfund cleanup site, urges action for the creation
Arsenic is one current concern [5-1-01]

New information and action for the well-being of children
[5-1-01]

The Presbyterian Washington Office has forwarded these items from the Children's Defense Fund:

	Report on bullying in schools
	FTC report on marketing of violent entertainment to children
	Bill to close gun show loophole

Get involved ...

	Stand for Children Day
	Million Mom March

Reparations may be an issue at GA

John E. Harris notes that the issue of reparations for slavery will come to the 2001 General Assembly through a report from the Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns. It includes a recommendation for the formation of a task force to study reparations for African-American and other groups "who have experienced significantly disparate treatment" through U.S. history. [4-24-01]

Check out earlier reports on the question of reparations.

Colombia: It's Not about What You Think

Just back from a Witness for Peace fact-finding mission to Colombia, Anne Barstow and Tom Driver report a situation very different from what the U.S. government is reporting: It's not about drugs, it's about oil. It's not about counternarcotics, it's about counterinsurgency. And it's not about coca, it's about U.S. military expansion. [4-20-01]

Emergency Action for Women's Lives - Rally in DC

Equal Partners in Faith invites people to join with them and other activists at NOW's Emergency Action for Women's Lives.

Jubilee efforts continue
[4-19-01]

Religion News Service reports on efforts by religious and other groups to influence coming meetings on world economic issues - the Summit of the Americas on April 20-22, and the Group of Eight industrialized nations this summer in Genoa, Italy.

	Canada's religious leaders urge Summit of the Americas to build a "neighborly" economy
	Faith groups seek limits on globalization
	Message to the Group of Eight: "Drop the Debt"

Washington Office reports legislative activity on immigration issues. The Presbyterian Washington Office is following the progress of a number of bills in Congress that deal with immigration issues, including asylum for refugees, better access to federal programs for immigrants with limited English, and a package of new bills which would provide better health care and nutrition for immigrant families. [4-17-01]

Weekly message from UCC Justice and Peace Ministry points to an urgent need for setting our budget priorities. [4-14-01]

The LA Times carries a report on how the faith-based environmental movement seems to be gaining strength in the US, partly in reaction to President Bush's withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol. [4-11-01]

Washington Office calls on INS to extend continued Temporary Protected Status to Hondurans and Nicaraguans [4/10/01]

New Senate Immigration Subcommittee holds first hearing [4/10/01

Religious leaders rebuke Bush administration over Kyoto Protocol

Keith Jenkins, director of Europe's leading ecumenical organization, the Conference of European Churches (CEC), has sharply criticized the Bush administration's decision not to implement the Kyoto Protocol, which is intended to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Jenkins' letter states that the U.S. decision "puts the narrowest national interest before global responsibility." [4-5-01]

The Presbyterian Washington Office has joined other religious and human-rights groups in calling for demilitarization of the US-Mexico border, and the legalization of economic migration. {4-5-01]

While the grim news of religious conflict in Indonesia continues, one Australian church leader finds signs of hope in emerging leadership in the church in newly independent East Timor. [4-4-01]

Presbyterian UN Office joins in UN focus on racism

[4-2-01]

The Presbyterian United Nations Office has been participating in preparations for the upcoming World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance as part of the continuing work of the PC (USA) to combat racism. The World Conference will take place August 30 to September 7 in Durban, South Africa.

Laura Mariko Cheifetz, Gender Justice Program Coordinator at the Presbyterian United Nations Office), attended a preparatory meeting for the Americas in Quito, Ecuador, March 13-16.

The Presbyterian United Nations Office will be sponsoring a seminar called The Challenge of Global Racism, May 16 - 18, to educate Presbyterians more about the issues on the World Conference agenda.

The effects of the earthquake in El Salvador are still being felt, and the Reformed Church is now engaged in the long-term multi-faceted process of "recuperation." Presbyterian volunteer Marcia Towers has sent an update. [3-24-01]

Inter-religious violence continues in Indonesia. The Christian Science Monitor provides a look at the complexities of the situation, including religious and ethnic conflicts, political groups exploiting the tensions, and a government seemingly unable to deal with it. [3-21-01]

Jubilee 2000/USA becomes the Jubilee USA Network and seeks to end debt domination [3-9-01]

Following up on the successes achieved toward debt cancellation, a coalition of faith-based and activist organizations launched the Jubilee/USA Network at a three day meeting in Denver, Colorado February 16-18, 2001. We now have a more complete report of decisions and plans shaped at that meeting. The newly formed Jubilee USA Network will continue urging full cancellation of debts owed by developing nations to the IMF and the World Bank, will work for making more treatment for AIDS available to developing nations, and will urge the completion of legislative action needed this year to get full Congressional appropriations for existing debt relief programs.

Check out earlier reports.

Moyer report on chemical industry provides an occasion for organizing

[3-8-01]

On Monday night, March 26, Bill Moyer's groundbreaking investigative report on the irresponsible Chemical Industry will air nationally on PBS channels. TRADE SECRETS will uncover how our health and safety have been put at risk and why powerful forces in the chemical corporations don't want the truth to be known. Nationally viewed on PBS channels.

Most of the analysis of "charitable choice" that we have published here has been critical of Pres. Bush's initiative to use faith-based organizations in government programs.

Here is an essay offering a theological perspective on charitable choice which takes a more positive view of the program. The author, the Rev. Dr. Nile Harper, is a Presbyterian pastor, an officer of Semper Reformanda, and former professor at Union Theological Seminary in New York. [3-7-01]

The author has also provided information clarifying what is meant by the "charitable choice" program, and some practical suggestions for participating in it.

Campaign finance reform has been supported a number of times by General Assembly actions. The United Church of Christ Justice & Witness Ministries office publishes a weekly update on justice issues, and their latest one provides specific suggestions for action on this issue, as the McCain/Feingold campaign finance reform bill banning "soft money" in elections is scheduled for two weeks of Senate debate, amendment and final vote, during the week of March 19th or 26th. [3-6-01]

A resolution calling for study of the issue of reparations for slavery has been put forth in the United Church of Christ. It states the issue well, and includes a helpful list of resources. [2-26-01]

Presbyterians are working with others to move to the next phase of the Jubilee campaign, with a new focus on AIDS treatment, social and economic justice. [2-23-01]

From a recent visit to three nations in Africa, Jana Hanna reports on the human crisis of AIDS in that continent, and asks how we might respond. [2-20-01]

Iraq bombing draws protest and prayers from a recent visitor there.

[2-16-01]

Roger Reid, a Presbyterian elder from Syracuse, New York, returned very recently from a visit to Baghdad, along with a delegation that included the Rev. Len Bjorkman, co-moderator of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship. He sent an e-mail which we are glad to share here.

Bush's "faith-based initiative" threatens "a revolution in church-state relations"

Commentary by Gene TeSelle, based on notes from a speech by Candidate George W. Bush in July, 2000.

Bush plan for religion-based charity raises a host of church-state issues
Here's a helpful report from Presbyterian News Service. [1-30-01]

Marcia Towers has sent an update report on relief efforts in El Salvador, two weeks after the earthquake, as the focus shifts to rebuilding.

She notes too how differently different churches try to make sense of what has happened. [1-30-01]

Presbyterian Church joins partners in rushing aid to quake-devastated India. [1-30-01]

Presbyterian student volunteer finds her role -- in relief efforts after the quake in El Salvador
[1-22-01]

Marcia Towers, a Presbyterian mission volunteer in El Salvador, has sent an update report on relief efforts there, and some of the possibilities (and problems) for those who want to help.

More from El Salvador: Loss of church buildings is a social and civic blow.
[1-22-01]

The LA Times published a story on Sunday, Jan. 21, describing the impact of the earthquake in El Salvador, which left at least 258 churches, Catholic and Protestant, damaged or destroyed. In a nation where the churches serve as the social and civic center of most communities, this is a devastating loss. Few of the congregations have insurance or other funds, and are waiting and hoping for help from congregations whose churches were spared, and from international agencies and churches overseas -- as well as from the volunteer labor of their own people.

Click here for the full report.

As our Inauguration Day special we offer a critical reflection, "God moves into the White House?" by Barbara Kellam Scott, co-moderator of Semper Reformanda

A Presbyterian student reports on the quake in El Salvador -- as one who is there

Presbyterian News Service has published a lengthy analysis of the significant roles played by Presbyterians -- as a church and as individuals -- in working for passage of the Jubilee debt relief measure. [1-15-01]

Witherspooner Karla Koll reports from Guatemala on the earthquake in Central America

And click here for a report from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.

Three Presbyterians join relief mission to Baghdad.
Flight of 28 humanitarians defies U.S./U.N. economic sanctions.

Role of faith-based organizations in social services is in the news again, as President-elect George W. Bush met on Wednesday (Dec. 20, 2000) with some 30 representatives of various religious groups, to discuss his ideas about using religious organizations to administer programs for the poor, using government money to strengthen their efforts. Click here for reports, comments, and background essays. [12 -21-00]

Churches in Tucson area again provide aid to illegal border crossers

Inter-religious violence continues in many parts of Indonesia.

We offer here a lengthy, balanced description and analysis of the terrible events in that nation. The Rev. John Barr speaks as one who has lived and worked in Indonesia, and has visited many parts of the country during the recent troubles.

He helps to balance some of the other accounts that are circulating, by recognizing that Muslims as well as Christians are frequently the victims of the violence, and that military, government, and business powers are frequently exploiting and even inspiring the violence.

Click here for the full report.
Click here to go to the brief analysis ... and click here for Barr's call for attention from the rest of the world, and the church.

Another informed observer of the Indonesian situation has confirmed his description and analysis.

Oikocredit provides an ecumenical, world-wide channel through which congregations and individuals can put their money in a place that supports grass-roots economic development.

Witherspoon president Jane Hanna reports on her recent visit to Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa, on a study trip sponsored by the Worldwide Ministry Division of the Presbyterian Church. She is thankful for the hospitality and the hope shared by the churches they visited. And she points to the continued burdens of poverty, as political freedom does not automatically bring economic freedom.

At least five Presbyterians were among more than 1,700 protesters arrested in Columbus, Georgia, on Nov. 19 for taking part in a campaign to force the federal government to close the U.S. Army School of the Americas (SOA) at nearby Fort Benning.

Global warming is subject of ecumenical organizing

PC(USA) is one of 15 denominations in Ecumenical Christian coalition organizing prayer campaign for peace in the Middle East

Texas prison chaplain reflects on witnessing the reality of the death penalty

Report details pattern of southern nations' resistance to WTO and IMF

Rev. James Lawson says race relations are worse today than during his civil rights campaigns with Dr. Martin Luther King.

Anti-human trafficking bill passes House

US drug war in Central America drives a Catholic bishop and human rights advocate into exile from Panama

The death penalty doesn't reduce the homicide rate, according to studies reported in a NYTimes study.

The Interfaith Alliance speaks in appreciation for congressional action on hate crimes legislation.

Ghost Ranch gathering with authors Ross and Gloria Kinsler considers the meaning of Sabbath and Jubilee for our living today.

Ambon in eastern Indonesia is the site of appalling Muslim-Christian violence.

for reports from the scene.

Trafficking in human beings -- for the sex trade or cheap labor -- is a continuing evil in the world. But things can be done about it.
Click here for more information.