Global concerns archive 3

Global and Social Issues -- Archive # 3
September through December, 2001

Pat Robertson's departure from the Christian Coalition points to the paradox of conservative politics [12-22-01]

Religion News Service, in a Dec. 19^th story, notes that Pat Robertson's resignation from the Christian Coalition points to a political challenge confronting religious conservatives in today's conservative climate: Christian rightists seem to gain strength and support when their "enemies" hold power in Washington. But when allies like George W. Bush gain power, the Christian conservatives lose influence. take over, Christian right groups thrive. When their allies hold political power, they weaken. So now, "the future of not only the Christian Coalition but of all religious right organizations has never seemed more in doubt."

The article suggests that the reason for this loss of power - just when they seem to be winning - "is that real political power requires compromise and accommodation, characteristics that absolutist groups have difficulty embracing. It's much easier to rally Christian political soldiers when they perceive that their faith is under attack by the political establishment and the press."

One conservative observer is quoted as expressing relief that Robertson is leaving, since his silent support of Jerry Falwell's anti-women, anti-gay statements after September 11^th offended even many supporters of the movement.

Florida farm workers call for boycott of Taco Bell, plan "Truth Tour" for March [12-22-01]

Building the federal budget for youth

The Presbyterian Washington Office has joined other religious and civic groups in urging Office of Management and Budget to "increase investment in community-based juvenile crime prevention efforts that positively engage children and youth." This includes the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, the Title V Local Delinquency Prevention program, and the national programs under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA), which provide critical assistance to youth in high-risk situations. [12-19-01]

The UCC Justice and Peace Action Network, in its weekly message, calls for concerned citizens to urge the U.S. not to withdraw from the A.B.M. Treaty. [12-19-01]

We've received three interesting reports of current activities on behalf of peace:

	Hampshire College Condemns War in All-Community Vote
	Barbara Lee Addresses Growing Interfaith Peace Movement
	North Carolina Rally And March For Alternatives To War

[posted here on 12-17-01]

Churches for Middle East Peace issue "A Christian Call for Peace" in the form of a petition [12-17-01]

We reported a year ago on a prayer vigil campaign by the group, Churches for Middle East Peace, in which the PC(USA) is an active participant.

This year the group has issued a petition for peace, which you can sign on their web site. (Or print a copy to circulate it more widely, and mail it to the address provided.) They will send the signatures to our nation's leaders.

A quick way to contact Congress [12-10-01]

Jane Hanna shares this helpful hint:

A California man, Jim Harris, has a service whereby he will send you copies of the letters he and volunteers have written and you then send a reply indicating that you want it sent--otherwise you don't respond. You can rewrite the letters, if you wish.

I have found this service invaluable. The letters are well written, to the point, and save me not only time but the frustration of otherwise not being able to address more than a few of the issues.

I receive response from the president down every time I write so I know they are at least receiving them. Noone can be sure they ever read them. Jane

Check out <http://www.ProgressiveSecretary.org> and give it a try.

In Search of Alternatives to Violence will be the topic for a Ghost Ranch seminar set for July 29-August 5, 2001. Leadership will include Bruce Gagnon, Alan Geyer, and Barbara Green. Co-sponsored by Witherspoon Society, Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, and Presbyterians for Restoring Creation. [12-5-01]

Petition for peace: American Friends Service Committee has been gathering signatures for a petition authored by a group of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates that calls on the United Nations to chart a new course in the global response to terrorism. [12-5-01]

As the "war against terrorism" continues, Presbyterians and others still protest the US-based training for terrorists at Ft. Benning's School of the Americas

A special report from Anne Llewellyn Barstow
dated 11-29-01, posted 12-1-01

Terrorism? Abortion providers are used to it. And it continues. [11-29-01]

ABC's 20/20 reported on November 28 about continuing threats to legal abortion providers around the country. The growing number of threats, often in the form of powder purported to be anthrax, often come from the group calling itself the Army of God. Many members of this group see September 11^th as divine punishment against the United States, and proudly claim for themselves as well the mantle of the terrorist.

Thanks to Fred Clarkson for sharing this report.

Presbyterian Washington Office joins in letter to Congress opposing Rep. Istook's proposed amendment for state-sponsored school prayer. [11-29-01]

UN Racism conference failed, participants say

Presbyterians examine results of recent meeting in South Africa [11-24-01]

At the Presbyterian UN Seminar on the UN Conference Against Racism, held Nov. 14-16, some 40 participants heard reports and analyses of the event's failure as due largely to Arab-Israeli tensions, and the withdrawal of Israel and the US from participation in the conference. Some modest results were seen, however, in the conference's condemnation of slavery - although that fell far short of the move for reparations that African nations had sought.

Looking homeward from El Salvador [11-19-01]

Julia Jones, who formerly served on the staff of the Presbyterian UN Office, is now in El Salvador, serving under the Presbyterian Reconciliation and Mission program. She looks at the US from her new vantage point and suggests:

"We should celebrate all the good that our country does and has done in the world, because it has been a leader in countless important ways. We also have the responsibility, as citizens of the most powerful country in the world, to be aware of what our country is doing around the world, at home, in the United Nations, and elsewhere, to question it if need be, and to speak out or demand change if the U.S.'s actions are preventing peace, the promotion of human rights or a sustainable future."

She also offers some good thoughts on alternative Christmas giving!

Guilt!! [11-19-01]

Peter Sawtell, the Executive Director of Eco-Justice Ministries, offers some constructive thoughts about the uses of guilt as a motivator for good causes -- and seeks alternatives.

UCC Justice and Peace Action Network calls for last-minute action on funding bills for education and economic stimulus [11-19-01]

More efforts to get prayer in schools

Americans United for Separation of Church and State warns that the House of Representatives is preparing to vote on a resolution encouraging public schools to set aside prayer time for students. [11-15-01]

Economic stimulus package still favors corporations and the well-off [11-2-01]

We have reported before on concerns that the President's proposals for stimulating the US economic seem designed to benefit the wealthy, and especially the largest corporations, more than helping average citizens - or the fading economy itself.

The picture looks even worse now, as reflected in a recent New York Times analysis.

Charleston five go to trial

Race seems one element in longshoremen's protest in South Carolina [10-31-01]

Five members of two predominantly African-American locals of the Longshoremen in Charleston, SC, go on trial Nov. 13 for protests in Jan. 2000 against a Danish ship's use of non-union labor, charged with "incite to riot" -- a charge which seems wholly unfounded. A statement by religious leaders is being prepared, and you may want to join in on it.

As election day approaches, the UCC Justice and Peace Action Network suggests we can exercise our democratic rights and responsibilities by informing ourselves on issues and candidates, and by urging Congress to support election reform. [10-31-01]

Marriage in the New Millennium

by Don Browning, Director of the Religion, Culture, and Family Project at the University of Chicago Divinity School, argues that marriage needs more than education to strengthen it. In our global society, we need "new interfaith dialogue about sexuality, marriage, and family." [10-26-01]

Rep Dennis Kocinich has introduced a bill in Congress that would establish a federal Department of Peace. [10-22-01]

October 17^th has been designated as a "Day of National Concern about Young People and Gun Violence." Students will be encouraged to sign the Student Pledge to Stop Gun Violence. [10-13-01]

Peacemaking team to visit Israel/Palestine

Presbyterians from all over the United States, including a former moderator of the General Assembly, will travel to Israel/Palestine from October 22 to November 3 as part of the first joint delegation sponsored by the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship (PPF) and the Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT). [10-5-01]

Washington Office urges calls for caution on immigration provisions of Anti-Terrorism Bill

As reactions to the terrorism of Sept. 11 continue, the Anti-Terrorism Bill now before Congress may carry provisions that violate the human rights of immigrants, as supported by action of the 1994 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. [10-3-01]

Anne Barstow offers a more complete report on the Ghost Ranch seminar of last August, on the links between militarization and globalization -- with special focus on the situation in Colombia, and some of the points for action that arose among the participants. [10-5-01]

National groups urge President to postpone action on 'charitable choice' aid to churches

44 labor, religious, health and civil rights groups say 'faith-based' job bias is 'religiously divisive,' would undercut national unity. [10-3-01]

Friends Committee on National Legislation alerts us to new efforts to increase funding for nuclear weapons, beyond all requests [9-26-01]

White House considers renewed drive to fund churches through ''faith-based initiative''

Bush push to win 'Charitable Choice' grants for religion would be deeply divisive, charges Barry W. Lynn of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. [9-26-01]

Washington Office calls for action on Latin America policies [9-12-01]

Consistent with recent General Assembly statements, the Presbyterian Washington Office is urging people to call for Congressional action to change our aid and other policies in relation to Colombia, and our travel restriction in relation to Cuba.

Oxfam and other groups call for global petition to change WTO patent rules to provide cheaper medicine for people in poor countries [9-10-01]

Stories on social and global concerns from June through August 2001 are listed in Global Archive # 2.

And there's another page listing reports and comments on social issues, from May 2000 through May 2001.