Faith and Social Justice
We are an multi-denominational, Bible-based community that seeks to integrate our faith, politics, and lifestyle by studying, discussing, and taking action on social justice issues both locally and abroad. We meet regularly for lively discussions of Scripture and contemporary books. We believe that we have been called to care for the earth and to reach out to all people with love, non-violence, and justice.
Next Meeting: Friday, Nov 16, 2007
Serve God, Save the Planet
(updated 11/11/07)
Additional Articles for Discussion:
1) Find out how rich you are compared to the rest of the people on the planet at
http://www.globalrichlist.com/
2) Read additional articles by and about Matthew Sleeth, such as “Can Americans Prevent Future Katrinas?” and “Rx for Excess” on the “Serve God, Save the Planet” website at http://www.servegodsavetheplanet.org/
3) Listen to Matthew Sleeth’s sermon at Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids at http://www.servegodsavetheplanet.org/download/MH070807.mp3
4) Think twice about environmental quick fixes, and consider deeper personal lifestyle changes. Read “Don’t Rush It. Dig In.” by Paige Doughty, Common Dreams News Center, Oct. 27, 2007 at http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/10/27/4851/print/
5) Learn about how ordinary, unthinking American consumerism can poison and impoverish communities throughout the Third World by reading “State of Denial” by Tom Knudsen, Sacramento Bee, April 27, 2003 at
http://www.sacbee.com/static/live/news/projects/denial/
Gun Control
(updated 10/17/07)
Handgun
Control Debate
Enumerating
the Toll Guns Take on American Lives
God Not Guns Sabbath Worship Guide
Resolution
on Consistently Protecting and Promoting Life -Evangelical Covenant Church
Resolution
on Christian Responsibility to Pursue Shalom in a Violent and War-Torn World -
Evangelical Covenant Church
NCC'sEdgar offers prayers, calls for gun legislation
VICTORY! California
Legislature Passes Landmark Legislation to Solve Gun Crimes
The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence
THE SIX FEDERAL GUN LAWS
Editorial: In Guns We Trust Christianity Today
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/1999/october4/9tb030.html
Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne.
(updated 9/17/07)
Our discussion about the book will focus on the actions that Claiborne and his community have and are taking to challenge the "status quo" symbols of 21st century American life. Please take time to read the book and come on Friday evening with the following 2 things:
1. One or two quotes (brief or extended) from the book that strike you as important or helpful. We will share these quotes with each other to get the conversation going and look for themes in what we have each selected.
2. One or two examples of concrete actions that Claiborne and/or his community have taken that represent a challenge to important symbols of the status quo (things we take for granted in the world of business, entertainment, politics, religion, etc.). Again, we will share these and then engage in some reflection on other symbols that need to be challenged.
In addition to the book, I will share some insights from Anglican Theologian N.T. Wright on how Jesus challenged the symbols of his day and, in doing so, challenged the "controlling narrative" of his hearers. Hopefully Claiborne's examples and an examination of Jesus' life and actions will challenge and help us to think about actions we can/should take in our local context. Looking forward to seeing you all on the 21st.
Previous Topics
Immigration
(updated 5/11/07)
Scripture Readings
Exodus: Border-Crossers Forge a New America -- Coyotes, pollos, and the promised van By Charles Bowden Mother Jones September/October 2006
On the Fence with John and Duncan Hunter: Separated at birtha sibling rivalry along the border By Sara Catania, Mother Jones March/April 2007
Christian' Nativism: Abortion and homosexuality seem like clear-cut issues for the Christian Right. But is that also true of immigration? By Alexander Zaitchik, Southern Poverty Law Center Winter Report 2007
Faithful Organizing Leads To New Sanctuary Movement by Pastor Dan Fri Mar 23, 2007
Responding with Faith to Immigration (PDF) July 16, 2006 UMC
The Evangelical Covenant Church's Resolution on Immigration, adopted in June, 2006.
Immigration Arrests Hamper Church’s Outreach Efforts Evangelical Covenant Church News December 19, 2006
The Framing of Immigration By George Lakoff and Sam Ferguson (c) 2006 The Rockridge Institute
Illegal immigrants evicted from open-air church; Wealthy homeowners in Southern California canyon fed up with squatters Associated Press, December 23, 2006
Arrested Immigrants' Families Struggle in Iowa All Things Considered, December 18, 2006
Interview with Father Jim Miller of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Marshalltown, Iowa, about undocumented workers in his parish.
Raid on Illegal Workers Puts Children in Limbo NPR Morning Edition, March 8, 2007
Hazleton's Anti-Illegal Immigrants Law Challenged (Listen) by Jennifer Ludden, NPR Morning Edition
Illegal Immigration to the U.S.: Causes and Policy Solutions Udall Center Fact Sheet No. 3 on Immigration Policy, February 2007.
What are the most recent developments regarding immigration? April 2007 Newsbatch
The Immigration Deal, May 20, 2007, NY Times
Indentured Servants in America, Mar 12, 2007, NY Times
Cardinal Mahoney Address, May 11, 2007
The Ethics and Politics of Food
(updated 3/21/07)
Our next book is Stolen Harvest: The Hijacking of the Global Food Supply by Vendana Shiva.
NewsHour Interview with Vandana Shiva 3/23/07
Is the US Killing African Farmers? By Katie Danko March 2007, Thought for Food
NAFTA & Dumping Subsidized Corn on Mexico Has Driven 1.5 Million Farmers off the Land & Forced Millions to Migrate By Monica Campbell and Tyche Hendricks San Francisco Chronicle, July 31, 2006
My Saudi Arabian Breakfast How to wake up each morning and consume a quart of crude oil and two and half pounds of coal. by Chad Heeter Mother Jones on-line March 24, 2006
Bill Moyers Interview with Dr. Vandana Shiva 9/5/03
Think Globally, Eat Locally by Elizabeth DiNovella [Book Review: The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan] Published on Saturday, December 16, 2006 by the Progressive
Indian Farmer Suicides - A Lesson for Africa's Farmers by Bryan Newman Backgrounder Winter 2006
No Bar Code Evangelical Virginia farmer says a revolution against industrial agriculture is just down the road. By Michael Pollan Mother Jones May/June 2006
Deconstructing Dinner by David Kamp [Book Review of The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan] New York Times Sunday Book Review 4/23/06
Coke Pepsi and the Politics of Food Safety by Vandana Shiva September 06, 2006
Vandana Shiva’s ZNet home page (for more articles)
Oxfam Press Release – 27 August 2003
US farm subsidies fuel Mexico corn crisis Oxfam calls to change rigged trade rules that are hurting the poor.
Oxfam Press Release – 20 March 2007 Spread of Free Trade Agreements threatens poor countries
In Corn's Cradle: [Subsidized] U.S. Imports Bury Family Farms by
Tim Weiner / New York Times 26 Feb 2002
Dumping Without Borders: How US Agricultural Policies are Destroying the Livelihoods of Mexican Corn Farmers Oxfam / Executive Summary / Briefing Paper 50 27aug03<
Why Mexico's Small Corn Farmers Go Hungry By Tina Rosenberg, The New York Times March 3, 2003.
Big Biotech is Forcing Farmers to Buy GMO Seeds: The Plot Against Mexican Corn Oaxaca is the birthplace of corn in the world, and the US is now aggressively and deviously manipulating Mexican economic structures to force the importation of vast quantities of US GM maize By John Ross March 2007 Indymedia UK
Previous Topics
Justice in Healthcare
(updated 3/12/07)
Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder is the story of Dr. Paul Farmer’s efforts to bring quality medicine to the poorest of the poor in Haiti – sort of an extreme test case that raises many interesting questions about how health care should be delivered to those who cannot pay for it.
Also view Paul Farmer's website at www.pih.org.
Christians and the Middle East (Israel/Palestine Conflict)
Our primary text is a discussion guide from Sojourners, Christians and the Middle East. The discussion guide was recently emailed to our group.
Other articles include:
Jimmy Carter interview on Newshour.
MCC Peace Office Newsletter (pdf) on American Zionism and Dispensationalism. Please focus on the second article "Christian Zionism: Their Theology, Our Nightmare!" by by Rev. Alex Awad.
Why Christians Must Keep Israel Strong by Richard Land. This article explains why Evangelicals tend to support Israel. Read Gen 17:7-8 and Gen 12:1-3.
A historical timeline of the conflict on NPR
The discussion will also draw on "Healing Israel/Palestine: A
Path to Peace and Reconciliation" by Rabbi Michael Learner for background information.
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