BREAKING NEWS
Religious Freedom Experts Confront Issues of Security, Terrorism
BY JONATHAN GALLAGHER
op experts in religious freedom confronted the issues raised by the U.S. war on terrorism and issued a preliminary statement emphasizing that respect for religious freedom was essential for security and a stable society.
Meeting in Washington. D.C. on November 15-17, the Board of Experts of the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA) examined the terrorist situation and the response of the national security community. In reacting to terrorist threats, sometimes states have infringed on freedom of religion and conscience that caused counter-productive results, the experts concluded.
"Respecting freedom of religion is often a more effective tool in winning the loyalty of citizens and in achieving peace than weapons and coercive measure," the statement affirms. "Responses to terrorism and security threats must take these dimensions of religions seriously," since "failure to grasp the role that religious beliefs are playing in motivating terrorist activities will result in reduced security."
The document sets out a list of 17 principles that deal with terrorist activities, the duties of the state, and the responsibilities of religious believers and communities. They include statements that "religion should never serve as a justification for hatred, disrespect of others, or criminal violence; indiscriminate violence, threats and other acts of terrorism cannot be justified under international law; security should not become the ultimate value of a society, even under the threat of terrorism. Those regimes established under the auspices of 'national security' have proven to be repressive and incompatible with the culture of human rights."
John Graz, IRLA secretary general and director of the General Conference Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department, commented that the preliminary statement was "a first statement on what are vital concerns in today's world. As freedoms (particularly religious freedoms) are reduced under the justification of national security, all of us need to be aware that we may be causing the very problems we are trying to prevent. Religious liberty is an essential component of security for any nation, and the repression of free expression of religious beliefs causes great destabilization."
North American Division Sponsors
La Red (Net) Evangelism Series
Each year the North American Division multilingual ministries sponsors a Hispanic satellite evangelism event. This year, the La Red (Net) series was hosted by the Potomac Conference and held at Takoma Academy, Takoma Park, Maryland.
"This is the first time we've hosted a satellite effort from the nation's capital," says Manual Vasquez, a North American Division vice president, and director of multilingual ministries. "With the help of the Holy Spirit, we plan to baptize 5,000 people in North America."
The eight-night event, "Me Paz Os Dejo," ("I Leave With You My Peace") was held in late November and early December and uplinked live each evening by Three Angels' Broadcasting Network (3ABN) and Adventist Communication Network (ACN). In addition, Net Adventist World Radio (AWR) broadcast the meetings to more than 60 Christian Hispanic radio stations in Central and South America, the Caribbean, and North America.
Prior to the series, 30 of the 42 area Hispanic congregations held meetings leading up to the satellite series. Alejandro Bullon, speaker and evangelist, spoke each evening to large audiences with more than 3,000 people attending the final meeting. During the meetings, more than 300 individuals requested baptism, and 1,800 people asked for follow-up Bible studies.
Day of Fasting and Prayer
for Kidnaped Adventist Pastor
At the year-end meetings for the Colombia Union (Inter-American Division), December 14 was set aside as a special day of fasting and prayer on behalf of a pastor who was kidnaped by Colombian guerrillas and whose whereabouts remain unknown as of this printing.
Gonzalo Cardona was abducted last August while enjoying a family event along with another pastor, Jacob Rodriguez, and his family.
"We have evidence that Pastor Cardona is alive," said Jose Rojano, communication director of the Adventist church in Colombia. "He sent a letter to his wife through another victim who was released. In the letter, he pleaded for help to be released."
Cardona and his group were traveling in their car in Uraba, an area in northwest Colombia, when they were stopped by guerrillas. The guerrillas ordered them to abandon their children on the road. Despite their pleas to be released, the captors took them along with 20 more people. However, as the road became more difficult, Rodriguez's automobile became stuck. The guerillas decided to free him, but they kept Pastor Cardona.
"No request for ransom has been made for his release," said Rojano. "We believe they are keeping him for an exchange/trade later."
Cardona, who pastors a church of 800 members in Uraba, is missed by his congregation, and church members throughout Colombia are saddened by his disappearance.
Rojano explained that guerilla groups continue to resort to kidnaping as a form of financing their war, and that, unfortunately, church members have been affected.
"The church at a national level is being cautious. Administrative leaders and directors at the union and fields are convinced that they cannot access certain conflict areas because of the dangerous situation. Pastors and members are urged to be cautious," said Rojano.
Adventist Representative Responds to Pope's Comments on Proposed European Constitution
Recent comments by the Pope regarding the proposed European Constitution currently being drafted has brought a response from Jonathan Gallagher, the Seventh-day Adventist Church's representative to the United Nations.
Interviewed on December 2, Gallagher said that he understood the reasons for the Pope's call for religion to be acknowledged in the European Constitution, but believed that it was more important to speak about issues of religious freedom than religious heritage.
"The Pope's call for the Christian history of Europe to be referenced in the European Constitution is perhaps understandable from his perspective," commented Gallagher. "Europe has been greatly influenced by religious ideas. However, the most important aspect is religious freedom–which was all too frequently lacking in European history. We are convinced that the proposed European Constitution should contain clear and unambiguous guarantees of religious liberty, and that the rights of religious minorities should be fully respected. Freedom of conscience and worship are at the heart of any free and democratic society."
Recent statements by the Pope have called for "a clear reference to God and the Christian faith in the drafting of the European Constitution" and that "the specific identity and social role of the Churches and religious confessions must also be recognized and safeguarded."
"We believe that the roles of churches and of any faith community are best protected by an endorsement of religious freedom, and strict adherence to civil liberties and human right,." Gallagher concluded. "We look to the framers of the proposed European Constitution to ensure that such clear declarations of principle and purpose are a major item in this new statement of European identity."
Russian Religious Freedom
Group Celebrates Ten Years
More than 100 religious leaders, scholars, and government officials gathered in Moscow in late November to celebrate 10 years of the Russian chapter of the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA).
"It was impressive to see leaders of most religions in Russia present, such as the Orthodox, Baptists, Catholics, Jews, Protestants, and Muslims, all in favor of religious freedom," says John Graz, director for public affairs and religious liberty for the Adventist world church, and secretary-general for the IRLA. "The IRLA Euro-Asia chapter has done outstanding work in 10 years for peace and understanding between religions in Euro-Asia."
While many government leaders in the Russian Federation have a better understanding of religious freedom now than they did 10 years ago, religious minorities still experience discrimination in various towns and cities. Participants and panel speakers all agreed to the importance of promoting religious freedom in their various faith communities. Several members of the IRLA board serve on the Russian Presidential Commission on religions, and they will continue to work with government officials to promote religious freedom for all its citizens.
News Notes
A new, less invasive procedure designed to clear completely blocked arteries was performed for the first time in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area by doctors at Washington Adventist Hospital, Takoma Park, Maryland. The new procedure was performed by Dr. David Brill, director of the cardiac catheterization laboratory at the hospital.
"This procedure represents a great breakthrough in our ability to use a method other than open-heart surgery to successfully treat patients with a completely blocked artery," said Brill.
In November 2002, a Bible camp for young adults was held in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. More than 6,000 people attended the week-long event. Campers willingly sat in the rain to listen to topics of spirituality, family, and nutrition. About 300 people made decisions for baptism at the end of the camp. "The attendance exceeded all my expectations," says Timothy Sandau, youth director for the church in the Western Highlands.
The North American Division women's ministries department has launched a new prayer ministry called Prayer Moments. Prayer requests may be sent via the internet at www.nadwm.org Select "contact us" and then click on "prayer requests."
More Religious News
Adventist News Network
Religion News Service
Religion Today
