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February 2002 Adventist World Affairs | Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church

(News and Analysis from the Department of Public Affairs of the Seventh-day Adventist World Church)

TAIWAN: Adventist Granted Exemption from Sabbath Exams
Taipei, Taiwan... The Taiwan Central Government on January 23, 2002, granted Adventist students exemption from taking exams on Sabbath. This is definitely a breakthrough for Adventist students who have faced 50 years of dilemma on this issue.

Last year 26 Adventists chose to forgo their chance for a better future by not taking exams on Sabbath. Local authorities were moved by their action, but not enough to grant them exemption. However, school administrators pressed the issue with Taiwan's central government with whom a hearing was scheduled.

Present at the hearing were 30 government officials, Dr. Paul Cho, Taiwan Adventist College board chair, Dr. Alice Magarang, president, and Dr. Bob Folkenberg Jr, president of the Taiwan Adventist Mission. The Adventist delegation was given 15 minutes to present their case. The next day, Adventist officials received a letter from the Ministry of Education granting Adventist students exemption. This action speaks very positively of the government of Taiwan, and Adventists around the world celebrate this milestone in history. [Viola Hughes]

CANADA: Sri Lankan Pastor Granted Refugee Status
Tornto, Canada... In an unprecedented 20-minute deliberation, Pastor Anthony Alexander and his wife, Saratha, were granted refugee status in Canada on January 31, 2002. Such cases have often taken up to nine hours in the past. Alexander was beyond words when the judge shared that she had read reports about their case from the Global Mission office of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and apologized for the delay.

Arrested and imprisoned in March 1998 on charges of anti-government terrorist activity, Pastor Alexander spent 26 months behind bars, but his faith and spirit were never affected, and he continued conducting up to 50 Bible studies a week. On May 15, 2000, the Sir Lanka High Court dismissed all charges against Pastor Alexander for lack of evidence and ordered his immediate release. However, his release infuriated many who plotted against him, and made his stay in Sri Lanka life threatening.

The Alexanders will apply for papers equivalent to the American green card, a process that takes up to nine months. Once their papers are in order, the children will be re-united with their parents, as they will automatically get their "green card" status as well. The Alexanders express their appreciation for all the prayers and financial support the members of the Adventist Church have provided them these last few years. [Viola Hughes]

CHINA: High on Church's Agenda of Religious Freedom Concerns
Washington, D.C….Religious freedom in China remains a major concern for the Seventh-day Adventist Church, report representatives attending a high-level meeting in Washington, D.C. on February 5, 2002.

"Reports of continuing religious freedom and human rights violations in China are alarming," comments Jonathan Gallagher, United Nations Liaison director for the Adventist Church. "We continue to work for increased freedom of conscience and toleration. These most fundamental of rights, guaranteed by international law, need to be supported by the Chinese authorities."

The February 5 meeting, "Church and State in China," was sponsored by the Pew Civitas Program in Faith and Public Affairs at the Brookings Institute and brought together representatives from a wide range of religious, educational and public organizations together with government departments.

"Such forums provide an excellent opportunity to meet and dialogue with other leaders involved in this vital area of promoting religious liberty in China," says James Standish, Legislative Affairs director for the Adventist Church.

Recent press reports indicate that religious persecution is on the rise in China. In December president Jiang Zemin called for greater Communist party control over religion, stating that unregistered religious practices would not be tolerated.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church has a long and prominent history in the promotion and defense of religious liberty and is well-known in this capacity on the international scene. [AWA Staff]

UNITED STATES: Military Tribunals
Washington, D.C…. Military tribunals, the orders that would give the government authority to try non-U.S. citizens in a military court, hit the headlines in the United States where the Senate Judiciary Committee heard the testimony of Attorney General John Ashcroft. The order has been questioned by civil and human rights advocates because it would permit secret trials, and the death penalty could be sentenced on only a 2/3 vote. Hearings on the military order were held before the Senate Judiciary Committee on December 4 and 6, 2001.

"The hearings proved to be worthwhile, if for no other reason than clearly communicating that there is public accountability for public actions, even during times of fear," said James Standish, director for legislative affairs for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Standish continued by saying that while some may feel raising questions of civil and human rights during wartime may aid terrorists, or slow the process of justice, it more importantly builds a strong and open democratic society in which issues of grave concern are expressed freely. Recent reports indicate the Department of Defense is considering adding safeguards in the rules for military trials including: public trials, a presumption of innocence, and a unanimous verdict in any capital case. [Matthew Mills]

UNITED STATES: Religious Reps Meet Saudi Scholars for Dialogue
Washington, D.C…. On February 6, 2002, representatives of several religious groups met scholars from Saudi Arabia to discuss current issues, especially concerns arising from the September 11 terrorist attacks.

"This opportunity for dialogue was an important opportunity to alert each other to our concerns," says Jonathan Gallagher, representing the Seventh-day Adventist World Church. "The general agreement that extremists had tried to hijack religion for their own ends did not prevent us identifying real problem issues. Our discussion included ongoing examples of religious liberty abuses in Saudi Arabia, biased media coverage, and problems of mutual distrust. As in all areas, dialogue is immensely preferable to violence, and the chance to understand each other better was welcomed by all present."

The February 6 meeting was organized by the Washington-based Interfaith Alliance, and brought together representatives from a number of Christian and Muslim organizations. The Saudi scholars were led by Professor Dr. Abdullah Al-Obaid, member of the Saudi National Consultative Council. [AWR staff]

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Copyright © 2002 Public Affairs and Religious Liberty. All rights reserved.
AWA may be reprinted or quoted providing acknowledgment is given.
Director, John Graz; Editor, Jonathan Gallagher; Advisor, Eugene Hsu; Managing Editor, Viola Hughes. Contributors: James Standish, Bert Beach, Samantha Burchard, Matthew Mills, Division PARL directors; Proofreaders: Marilyn Riley, Becki Timon.
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