|
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:
Get involved ...
|
| 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.
|
| 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. |
