|
Global and Social Issues -- Archive
# 4
January through June, 2002
|
| Want to do something?
Leif Utne (of Utne Reader) suggests:
Declare
Your Town a Civil Liberties Safe Zone
[12-17-02]
In the face of the Bush administration's relentless
drive to erode civil liberties under the banner of the war on terror, a
novel form of protest is spreading across the country. Eighteen cities
and towns have declared themselves "civil liberties safe
zones," and at least 40 others in 24 states are considering doing
the same, reports Nat
Hentoff in a recent Village Voice column.
The movement was born last February, when 300 citizens
in Northampton, Massachusetts formed the Bill of Rights Defense
Committee. Angered by the hasty and secretive passage of the USA PATRIOT
Act--a sweeping anti-terrorism bill that gave federal law enforcement
broad new powers to snoop on citizens--the Northampton BORDC began
lobbying the city council.
In May, the council passed a unanimous resolution
affirming the town's support of the constitutional rights threatened by
the Act, namely: the rights to freedom of speech, religion, assembly and
privacy; the rights to counsel and due process; and protection from
unreasonable searches and seizures. The declaration goes on to request
that the local police not cooperate with federal officials in any action
that infringes on these rights; that the Feds act according to local
policies when in Northampton; and that local members of Congress work to
repeal the USA PATRIOT Act.
For more information, and tips on forming a local
group, visit the Bill of Rights Defense
Committee web site. |
| Is
Trent Lott really out of step? [12-14-02]
Surveying the current concerns over Sen. Trent Lott's
recent racist comments, Gene TeSelle reminds us that Lott reflects the
guiding tenets of the Republican Party's "Southern strategy"
since the 1960s. |
| Confronting the death penalty with
personal stories of loss and reconciliation
A group in Tennessee,called Murder Victims' Families for
Reconciliation, finds power in telling their own stories to help people
rethink the death penalty [11-21-02]
|
| Display
of 10 Commandments rejected by federal court [11-21-02]
A federal court in Alabama has struck down display of
a Ten Commandments monument at the state supreme court building in
Montgomery, declaring that the religious sculpture violates the First
Amendment's church-state separation provisions.
If you're interested in finding positive ways of
teaching about the Ten Commandments, check out
a
listing of resources provided by the Rev. Bruce Gillette of First
Presbyterian Church, Pitman, NJ. |
| Progressive rethinking after the
election defeats of 2002
"Don't Let
the Lights Go Out"
Rabbi Michael Lerner offers helpful thoughts for progressives dealing with
post-election depression, urging a spirit-based framework for
progressive political action. [11-11-02]
|
| As crime rates fall,
the
prison population continues to rise -- with an increasing proportion
of prisoners being black men.
The Presbyterian Washington Office summarizes a recent
study by the Justice Policy Institute. [10-30-02] |
| PHEWA
biennial conference set for San Antonio in January 2003
Social welfare ministries conference will focus on
liberation theology [10-25-02]
The 2003 biennial social welfare ministries conference
of the Presbyterian Church (USA) is set for Jan. 23-26 in San Antonio. |
| Washington Office reports on survey of
generational
shifts in political and social views [10-25-02] |
| After the serial killings around
Washington, ballistic
"fingerprinting" gains a hearing [10-19-02] |
| Washington
Office reports on a victory for juvenile justice
[10-15-02] |
|
Supreme
Court will hear four death penalty cases
Washington Office provides background [10-15-02]
|
|
Presbyterian Washington Office sounds a warning: Legislation would let religious leaders endorse
candidates from the pulpit.
The right can't lose: If it fails, they'll have a
campaign issue to use against opponents in November. [9-5-02]
|
|
US
tour to highlight struggle for indigenous rights in Mexico [9-13-02]
The Mexico Solidarity Network is seeking community,
church and university-based sponsors for a series of events focused on
indigenous rights in Southern Mexico, specifically the southern states
of Chiapas, Oaxaca, and Guerrero. The tour will take place in the US-midwest
during early-mid November.
|
|
Dancing
with the Archbishop
Sojourners' editor Jim Wallis offers an
interesting view of Rowan Williams, the new Archbishop-Elect of the
Church of England. This leads to thoughts on the need for people to
raise their voices - through letters, calls, petitions - against the
impending American invasion of Iraq. [8-29-02]
What should we be doing about the
threatened invasion of Iraq?
Please
send a note, and let's talk about it!
|
| The Justice Policy Institute
has released a new
report on the growing American prison system, which indicates
that state spending on prisons is growing at 6 times the rate of
spending for higher education. [8-29-02] |
| California
professor: Israel's policy toward
Palestine aims at "urbicide" -- destroying the fabric of
their society [8-26-02] |
On forest
fires and "national security" -- Extraordinary events
don't provide a good basis for public policy
[8-26-02]
Environmentalist Peter Sawtell sees this sensible idea
as a reason for questioning Pres. Bush's new policies on opening our
forests for commercial cutting, and on the Administration's plans for
long-term infringements on civil rights, justified by 9/11. |
| New resource list
on health care issues [8-22-02]
Families USA's Health Action Network has collected
information on several new reports and other resources available on the
Web, relating to issues and policies in America's health care system. |
| Is
Pres. Bush saying, like his father, "What
we say goes"? [8-19-02]
Arch Taylor, retired Japan missionary, shares a letter
he recently sent to the Louisville Courier-Journal, laying out
briefly and powerfully the alarmingly unilateral and aggressive policies
of the present Bush administration.
Related to this, you may want to read a report of a
recent speech by former weapons inspector
Scott
Ritter, speaking out loudly against invasion. |
| Ghost Ranch Seminar seeks
alternatives to
violence [8-15-02]
A seminar sponsored by the Presbyterian Peace
Fellowship and the Witherspoon Society, gathered for a week at
Ghost Ranch to explore "alternatives to violence."
Doug Bartlett reports that discussions focused on the growing
threat of new generations of nuclear weapons, primarily because
of American insistence on developing ABM's and "star
wars" weaponry. |
Warning of 'semi-dictatorship'
as violence grips Colombia
Another report from the troubled nation of Colombia, this one
from Ecumenical News International, highlights the concerns of
churches and other human rights groups as the U.S. escalates its
military aid to the new president. [8-15-02] |
"Leave
no child behind": Taking the slogan seriously [8-8-02]
Marian Wright Edelman, Founder and President of the Children's Defense
Fund, has expressed her dismay at President Bush's expropriation of the
Fund's slogan. For over a year the CDF consulted experts to assess
children's needs and weigh various policies.
The result is the Act to Leave No Child Behind (S 940,
HR 1990), introduced by Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Representative
George Miller (D-GA).
Read more about it,
check out their "action guide,' and see what you can do! |
|
Locals
act to deal with threat of climate change
Even if the President ignores the issue of global
warming, others around the country are paying attention and taking
action.
The Web magazine Grist offers a roundtable
gathering of information on the ways many people are finding to deal
with the threat of global warming and climate change: local networks
enacting local climate change initiatives, corporations cutting
greenhouse gas emissions, and schools building "green"
dorms. [8-2-02] |
|
Election
2002 -- a special page featuring information, resources, and
commentary on the coming U.S. elections. [7-30-02]
Our first item:
The Washington Office of the Presbyterian Church
(USA) is releasing its election-year
packet for use in congregations, which includes a variety of
materials, from worship resources to advice on holding a candidates'
forum. |
|
Looking
at "globalization" from South of the Border [7-30-02]
El Tiempo, Colombia's major daily paper,
recently published an analysis of U.S. policy and globalization as they
appear today in Latin America. It begins, "The obsessions of U.S.
policy in Latin America - terrorism and drug trafficking - only serve to
worsen the crises south of the Rio Grande."
There's lots more, with points worth pondering for
those who are willing to question whether the impact of U.S. policies is
wholly beneficial for our neighbors to the south. If you prefer to
believe that "America (i.e. the U.S.) can do no wrong," then
you prefer to skip this one. |
Two
Presbyterian pastors sentenced for protest against School of the
Americas [7-19-02]
Note: PresbyWeb has posted a very different
view of this situation.
Click
here for a summary, and some of the debate following. You
may want to join in the discussion.
|
| Not
all evangelicals are Zionists [7-16-02]
A group of 43 evangelical leaders -- including 5
Presbyterians -- has sent a letter to Pres. Bush, |
| Witherspoon
supports a call to Pres. Bush to establish a Victims Fund for those in
Afghanistan who have been hurt by US military campaign there. [7-15-02] |
| Mexico
Solidarity Network issues urgent call to oppose Fast Track legislation
[7-15-02] |
| Religion and the State:
Justice
Antonin Scalia offers a classic Catholic view (and for some an
alarming view) of the divinely given authority of the state [7-9-02] |
|
Religious
leaders push for better support for welfare
Urge lawmakers to consider plight of low-income
families [7-3-02]
Christian and Jewish leaders, including Stated Clerk
Clifton Kirkpatrick, have sent a letter to the Senate Finance Committee
urging lawmakers to strengthen the nation's welfare system and help
low-income families. The 21 leaders, from various denominations and
ecumenical and grassroots organizations, are asking the committee to
"take into account the challenges facing families at risk of
hunger, and struggling to escape poverty." |
| Rabbi Michael Lerner has offered a response
to Pres. Bush's policy statement on the Middle East conflict, saying
that the statement gives encouragement to Israel's repressive policies,
and thus encourages Palestinian terrorism rather than efforts for
peace. [6-27-02] |
| The 9th District Circuit Court ruling
that the mention of God in the Pledge of Allegiance violates the First
Amendment prohibition on the establishment of religion has attracted
much attention ... and argument.
The group Equal
Partners in Faith has offered one statement in support of the
decision. [6-27-02]
We welcome other views -- your own or those you've
seen somewhere else. Just send
a note! |
| We need
even-handedness in the Middle East
[6-15-02]
The Rev. Arch Taylor, a former Presbyterian Japan
missionary, has sent this letter to President Bush, commending his
even-handedness in dealing with the Pakistan-India conflict, and urging
the same kind of approach to the Israeli-Palestinian situation. |
| The Bush response to global warming -- a
faith-based response [6-8-02]
The
Bush administration has recently submitted its "Climate Action
Report 2002" to the United Nations. For the first time, this
administration acknowledges the phenomenon of global warming, and the
link between human activities and the rise in temperature of the
atmosphere and the oceans. The report goes on to suggest an interesting
response: Get used to it! And let any changes we make be voluntary.
We've been looking for some comment from the faith
communities, and Peter Sawtell, Executive Director of Eco-Justice
Ministries, has offered a thoughtful response, concluding, "I can
think of no other term than 'foolishness' to describe the ludicrous US
policy which knowingly increases our damage to the Earth's climate, and
then proposes enormous and complex, but very partial, steps to try and
adapt to the climate change we are causing.
|
| Jim Wallis of Sojourners
reports on Call to Renewal's Mobilization in Washington, DC, which
focused on "Speaking the
Truth About Poverty." The gathering featured visits to
senators from 42 states, to urge "a compassionate and just
reauthorization of welfare reform."
One clear response from the legislators was to ask for
more local stories of what's working in efforts against poverty, and
information on the human dimensions of poverty in local
communities. [5-27-02] |
Cuban
Christians comment on Carter visit
[5-21-02]
While President Bush has been insisting on a continued
embargo against Cuba, Christians in that nation welcomed the visit of
former Pres. Jimmy Carter.
The Rev. Hector Mendez, a member of the central
committee of the World Council of Churches, said, "We have been
saying for many years that one of the main tasks of the churches in the
U.S. and Cuba is to build bridges of reconciliation between our
countries. The visit of former President Carter is one of those
bridges."
|
| Clergy
urged to support hate crimes legislation
[5-7-02]
Hate crimes legislation has once again been introduced
in both houses of the US Congress. The Local Law Enforcement Enhancement
Act of 2001 (S.625/H.R.1343) is enjoying broad bi- partisan support, and
Senator Daschle has pledged that he will bring the LLEEA to the Senate
floor for a vote before the Memorial Day recess.
The Faith Action Network, a project of People For the
American Way, is encouraging ministers to add their names to a letter
supporting this step against hate crimes.
|
| NCC
delegation condemns killing by both sides, lifts up steps
toward peace in Israel/Palestine [5-6-02]
A delegation of US church leaders has returned
from a 12-day visit to Israel, Palestine, and neighboring
countries, under the auspices of the National Council of the
Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Calling on both Israel and the
Palestinian Authority to agree to an immediate ceasefire, they
"condemn equally and unequivocally both the suicide
bombings and Palestinian violence against Israeli society and
the violence of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian
territories."
Among other steps toward a resolution of the
conflict, they call for:
 | the affirmation by Palestinians and by Arab
states of the right of the State of Israel to exist within
secure borders; |
| the establishment of an international
peacekeeping force ... |
| the end of Israel's occupation of the West
Bank and Gaza; |
| the cessation of the building of new
Israeli settlements ...; |
| ... dismantling ... of settlements that
negate the geographic integrity of a viable Palestinian
state ...; |
| the sharing of Jerusalem by the two peoples
and three faiths so that Jerusalem may truly reflect its
name, City of Peace; and |
| the commitment by Israel to address the
issue of the right of return for Palestinian refugees. |
The Rev. Janet Arbesman, Vice-Moderator of the 213th
General Assembly of the PCUSA, was a member of the delegation. |
| Equal
protection of voting rights makes progress in Congress, but still
needs support [4-25-02]
The Presbyterian Washington Office celebrates the
passage of the "Equal Protection of Voting Rights" by the U.S.
Senate, and suggests continued support of this legislation as it goes to
the Conference Committee. The Washington Office passes along an
Action Alert from the NAACP. |
| A
new "decalogue" for peace
[4-18-02]
Religious leaders spoke out in January to condemn all
religious violence, and offered an "Assisi Decalogue" to give
form to their call for peace. Was anybody listening?
Journalist David Walters gives some of the story, and
the content of the statement itself. |
| A
major oil company shows that Pres. Bush can stop worrying about the
economic costs of measures to prevent global warming. [4-15-02] |
| Stated
Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick has issued a
letter calling urgently for peace in the Middle East. He calls
for an end to acts of terrorism and of state-sponsored violence, and for
an end to the occupation of Palestinian territory. [4-10-02]
He notes that " |
| 100th death row inmate freed
due to actual innocence
NCADP calls for immediate,
nationwide halt to executions [4-10-02]
The Presbyterian Washington Office reminds us that
the PCUSA
has long stood in opposition to the death penalty, and now is a time
to support legislation that would call for a moratorium on its
imposition. |
| Protestant
Justice Action (the newer name for the Oxbow group) gathered
progressive groups for a conference in St. Louis, April 5-6, 2002,
"celebrating insights from yesterday, the spirit of today, and
action for tomorrow." [4-8-02] |
| The
Presbyterian Peace Fellowship has issued a
statement on the crisis in Israel/Palestine, restating its
"conviction that acts of violence can not lead to security and
peace for Palestinians and Israelis."
The statement expresses appreciation for Pres. Bush's
April 4th statement, and underscores the need for an end to
the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory. [4-5-02] |
| The
Presbyterian Antiracism Program has launched its new web page. Mark
Koenig invites you to check
it out. [4-5-02] |
| An appeal has come to us
urging that people around the world join in a circle
of prayer for peace in the Middle East. We share it here in
the confident faith that prayer does make a
difference. [4-3-02] |
| UCC Justice and Peace
Action Network urges action to support
increased spending on foreign aid [4-3-02] |
| Immigrant rights are doubly
threatened, and advocacy groups call
for May 1 action [3-30-02]
The Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) and the
National Coalition for Dignity and Amnesty for Immigrants warn about
twin threats to immigrant rights -- from a recent Supreme Court
decision, and a revived "bracero" program apparently favored
by Pres. Bush. |
| UN
Office plans seminar for May 2-5: Tackling Terrorism: Faith Talks in
the Aftermath of September 11th, a four-day seminar on terrorism
and peacemaking, is scheduled for May 2-5 at the Presbyterian United
Nations Office in New York City. [3-30-02] |
| Heresy!
[3-16-02]
Peter Sawtell of Eco-Justice Ministries ponders the
problem of heresy, which happens "when partial truths are elevated
to the status of absolute truths." And today's big heresy, he
suggests, is the idea of personal freedom. It was the key argument in
the US Senate against tighter standards for fuel economy in US vehicles
-- including even SUVs and vans. The assumption was that Congress had no
right to tell Americans what kind of cars they could drive.
Says Sawtell: "Freedom is one of the core values
for the United States. But we have encountered heresy when that value is
lifted up as an absolute truth."
|
| The
Christian Right and "racial reconciliation"
[3-16-02]
Andrea Smith, writing for the journal Color
Lines (Spring, 2002), examines the growing movement among
conservative and evangelical groups toward what they call
"race reconciliation." Basically, this new trend
involves conservative Christian magazines highlighting the role
of people of color in conservative groups. But it also seems
aimed at splitting middle-class African Americans from those
below them on the socio-economic ladder. |
| NCC
website features resources on the challenge of poverty - a
Lenten theme in March 2002. [3-13-02]
To launch its 10-year mobilization addressing the challenge of
poverty, National Council of Churches focuses on poverty-related
issues during the 31 days of March 2002, ending on Easter
Sunday.
A special new section of the NCC website
features . .
- Preaching About Poverty
- The Bible Speaks About Poverty
- Poverty-Related Events During March
- Good Works That 'Work'
- Poverty By the Numbers
- Theological Reflection on Poverty
Visit the website now: http://www.ncccusa.org/poverty/
"The National Council of Churches . . .
36 communions of faith, 140,000 congregations, 50 million
Americans joining hands and voices to express the love of
Christ."
|
| Presbyterian
Washington Office reports on new challenges to conscientious objectors
in legislative proposals for Universal Military Training
[3-13-02]
In line with actions of numerous General Assemblies,
the Washington Office has prepared an excellent summary of current
pressures for some kind of compulsory military service, challenges faced
by anyone who feels compelled by conscience not to engage in such
actions, and Presbyterian thinking on questions of military service.
|
| The
UCC Justice and Peace Action Network has sent a helpful bulletin with
information on energy policy issues
being discussed in the US Senate -- along with suggestions for
action. [3-13-02] |
| Urban
churches: Here's help in caring for your building and making it useful
in your community [3-13-02]
Partners for Sacred Places is a Philadelphia
organization that encourages churches in urban areas to find the
resources to keep their buildings in good repair and offer services to
their communities. They have just published a 60-page handbook, OPEN
THE DOORS, SEE ALL THE PEOPLE: A GUIDE TO SERVING FAMILIES IN SACRED
PLACES, funded by the Annie E. Casey and Weyerhaeuser
Family Foundations. The entire publication can be accessed at www.sacredplaces.org/openthedoors.htm. |
|
Presbyterians will join other churches to push for welfare reform
[3-11-02]
At least a dozen
Presbyterians will join more than 80 other representatives of churches
and ecumenical groups next week in pressuring Congress to strengthen the
nation's welfare system.
|
| Congressman
from Ohio offers a
prophetic prayer for America [3-8-02]
Congressional representative Dennis Kucinich recently
gave a speech in the form of a prayer - a prayer for America that
challenges the U.S. "war on terrorism" - both what is being
done now, and even more what is being proposed.
Here's an inspiring and prophetic mixing of religion and
politics. It may not be what some advocates of prayer-with-politics have
in mind, but it has power and authenticity that are worthy of our
attention. |
| A
call for peace in Colombia
Alice Winters, Presbyterian mission co-worker
in Colombia, writes to express the concern of many people as war
is renewed in Colombia. She includes a statement from the
Executive Secretary of the Presbyterian Church of
Colombia. [2-25-02] |
| From
the Presbyterian Washington Office:
Immigration issues and campaign and election reforms
lead off Congressional agenda
[2-22-02]
This look ahead at the new session of Congress was
published before they reconvened on January 23, but it highlights a
number of the issues of concern to the PC(USA): immigration, election
reform, and faith-based initiatives.
|
| If you care about the well-being of
children, the Presbyterian Washington Office invites you to join in ...
A national
call-in day to protect unaccompanied children in INS detention on
Tues. February 26, 2002 1pm-4pm Eastern Time [2-20-02] |
| Thursday,
Feb. 21 -- a TV must-see on El Salvador
Tomorrow night (Thursday, Feb. 21) PBS will be showing
"Justice and the
Generals," a 90-minute documentary that explores military
impunity for gross human rights abuses in El Salvador. [2-20-02] |
| Faith-based aid in the Senate
The Presbyterian Washington Office reports on the
shape being given to the
"faith-based initiative" in the U.S. Senate. The
report includes a statement by |
| Criminal
Justice Sunday is February 10, 2002, on the calendar of the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The year's theme is the third of a
three-part series that analyzes how victims, offenders, and communities
participate in and help shape the United States criminal justice system.
We know that all three constituencies have physical, spiritual, and
psychological needs that the criminal justice system must meet if it is
to address the problem of crime in a holistic and healing manner -- and
the church has an important role to play in this process.
The Social Justice Program Area of the National
Ministries Division has prepared resources for worship, background
readings, and more. Visit
their web page for details. [2-8-02] |
| As
the President's budget goes to
Congress, our UCC friends have posted a good, brief statement of the
concerns for people committed to peace and justice. [2-8-02] |
| Dealing
with the death penalty: a flawed system [2-8-02]
The American people understand that the death penalty
system is broken, and they are looking to their elected officials for
answers. In 2002, The Justice Project will continue to remind voters of
how bad the system really is, and help find and implement solutions to
those problems. |
| Bush is urged to release funds for UN
family planning program [2-8-02]
President Bush is refusing to release funds
appropriated for support of the United Nations Population Fund, in his
effort to placate the Religious Right. The Christian Science Monitor
carries an
op-ed essay by Professor Steven W. Sinding, former director of the
population program at the US Agency for International Development, who
urges the President to act in accord with the vast majority of
Americans, an in the interests of the world's poor, by helping to fund
responsible family planning programs around the world. |
| Studying today's issues through eyes of
faith [2-6-02]
The Confession 1967 calls us to "study ... both the Bible and
the contemporary world." This call leads the Rev. Bruce Gillette to
suggest readings from leading newspapers on "the imaginary axis
threat," and on the President's proposed increase in military
spending - in contrast to more constructive ways of responding to
threats of terrorism.
|
| Compromise reached on
"charitable choice" [2-6-02]
After a long struggle to get his idea of providing
social aid to and through religious organizations, President Bush seems
to be nearing a compromise in the U.S. Senate that would allow
government funds to go to religious and other non-profit groups for
social service programs. The compromise would not allow religious groups
freedom to discriminate against lesbians and gay men in
government-funded programs.
The proposed legislation would also allow individuals
who do not itemize on their tax returns to take a deduction for
charitable contributions.
This compromise may still face hurdles as it is
negotiated with the version passed by the House last year, which went
farther in blurring the lines of church-state separation.
The President is trying to increase support for his
"faith-based initiative" by folding that office into his new
push for voluntary service. The new director of The Office of Community
and Faith-Based Initiatives, with Jim Towey as its new director, will be
under John Bridgeland, who was recently named to head the volunteer
initiative in the White House. The former director of Faith-Based
Initiatives, John J. DiIulio, had direct access to the White House.
See
the full story in the Washington Post for February 6, 2002. |
| Over
300 national, state, and local groups are calling for swift passage of S. 767,
The Gun Show Background Check of 2001 [2-6-02]
|
|
"Far
from Home" -- looking at the reality of refugees through the
experience of Jesus [2-1-02]
In a world where millions of people live
as refugees, Jesus' "flight into Egypt" gives us a new
perspective - and perhaps a new compassion - for people who are forced
to live as strangers in strange lands. Including our land, and our
communities.
Kent Winters-Hazelton preached on Matthew
2:13-23, the account of the flight of Jesus and his parents to Egypt, on
the first Sunday after Christmas. His sermon was informed by a recent
visit to the World Council of Churches, and a session with their
director of refugee work, Beth Ferris. |
Presbyterians
for Restoring Creation have announced more details for their 2002
conference:
Earth's Energy, God's Light:
Faithful Responses to the Energy Crisis
July 11-14, 2002
Linfield College, Oregon
[2-1-02] |
| A
new military draft is being considered in the House [2-1-02]
The House Armed Services Committee is considering a
bill that would require everyone registered for the draft to serve up to
one year in the armed services. The proposed Universal Military Training
and Service Act of 2001 would mandate that men aged 18 to 22 serve
between six months and a year in basic military training and education.
Here's an
on-line report from the campus newspaper at the University of
Hawai'i at Manoa.
And there's another report in the Maine
Commons.
For the full text of the bill, go to http://thomas.loc.gov
and search for HR3598. |
|
The
State of Our Union [1-30-02]
Sojourners editor Jim Wallis reflects on the
President's State of the Union speech in light of the comments of
Canadian guests who watched it with him. He notes the
"bellicose" tone of the speech, and laments the President's
clear insistence on America's primacy in the world, rather than the new
kind of partnership that appeared possible a few months ago.
Wallis applauds Bush's call for more volunteer
service, while noting that no amount of volunteer effort will change the
real social problems "without a massive political and societal
commitment to match citizen action."
We plan to post more such comments. Please
share yours, too ... just send a
note!
|
| The
Oxbow network of progressive church groups is planning a conference
in St. Louis, April 5-6 -- Click here
for details, including schedule and registration form. [1-30-02] |
From the
Presbyterian Washington Office
[1-28-02]
Campaign finance reform to come before House; now is the time for
concerned citizens to speak.
Now that the petition to discharge the campaign finance reform bills
has received support, the House of Representatives will be voting on this
issue soon. We now need to urge our House members to vote for the better
of the two measures that will come before them.
|
|
Senators McCain and Feingold urge President to support
genuine campaign finance reform in State of the Union address. [1-28-02]
You may want to do the same!
|
| The ACLU has issued a statement urging
support for a moratorium
on executions, in light of the growing awareness of how many people
on death row have been determined to be innocent. [1-23-02] |
After 9/11: A
new call for Jubilee and justice
[1-19-02]
Ross and Gloria Kinsler were the outstanding leaders
of the Ghost Ranch Seminar on
globalization in the summer of 2000. Last November, as the events of
September 11th led into the "war on terrorism,"
they sent out a "Jubilee Memo" relating that war to "the
war we must fight" against poverty around the world.
Their letter includes insights on such topics as:
| the
real significance of globalization (quoting Dr. Oscar Arias,
former President of Costa Rica and Nobel Peace Laureate, who said
that "the [globalization] system encourages insatiable
consumption and consumerism for some, but denies many others the
basic necessities of life." |
| the
meaning of the biblical faith as summed up in the Lord's Prayer,
with its petitions that remind us of our calling to make God's Reign
a reality on earth, partly by observing the Sabbath and Jubilee
years that involve the freeing of people from their debts. |
| the
call to responsible discipleship in caring for the people of our
world as well as our natural environment - a call for which the
Kinslers suggest a variety of resources, including the Presbyterian
Hunger Program and much more. |
|
| The
message of Enron: Diversify! [1-19-02]
Peter Sawtell of Eco-Justice Ministries sees a lesson in the crash of
Enron, and especially the harsh consequences for employees whose pension
funds were invested largely in Enron stock: Diversity is a good thing!
In the economy, in the church, in nature. |
| Now's
the time to act to preserve funding for the UN
Population Fund. [1-17-02] |
| "Common
ground" on meeting human need?
A wide spectrum of religious and civil groups offers
appropriate ways to provide help to people in need without violating
separation of church and state. [1-17-02] |
| Enron
and ethics
Jim Wallis of Sojourners reflects on the deeper
meaning of the Enron collapse. There are many levels of problems, he
says, but while "the strongest media critics of Enron call it
putting self-interest above the public interest; biblical ethics would
just call it a sin." [1-17-02] |
|
Presbyterian Washington Office, in line with previous
GA actions, urges:
Voice Your Opposition to the U.S. Withdrawal from the
ABM Treaty [1-10-02]
|
| The
National Council of Churches has issued a Christmastide statement
on environmental justice, in which they affirm:
"We believe that the American religious community
is ready to lead a new abolition movement - to abolish unsustainable
ecological and economic practices and to create a new economy and
society based on stewardship, conservation and renewable
resources." [1-8-02] |
| 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] |
| Stories on social and
global concerns from September through December, 2001, are listed in Global
Concerns Archive # 3.
Stories June through August 2001 are listed in Wide
World Archive # 2.
And there's another page
listing reports and comments on social issues, from May
2000 through May 2001.
|
