Adventists Join Nations of the World in Condemnation of Terrorism

New York, NY, USA... Seventh-day Adventists were represented and joined the call to condemn terrorism at a United Nation's Security Council meeting January 20.

Foreign Affairs Ministers from the fifteen member states of the Security Council gathered in New York and unanimously approved an important resolution that condemned the use of terrorism by any country or rogue organization.

Among other notable dignitaries, US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, attended the session and addressed the Council before the historic vote was taken. "No country's citizens are safe from terrorism, and no cause justifies the murder of innocent people," Powell stated. "We must work together... so that all of God's creatures can live without fear."

Attending for the Adventist Church, Liaison Officer Mindi Rahn commented that "In recent years terrorism has become an increasingly prevalent issue and has wreaked havoc all over the world. The Seventh-day Adventist Church has been deeply saddened by this trend and denounces such taking of life by terrorists."

"Adventists are appalled by the taking of life to further some terrorist cause," states Leo Ranzolin, general vice president at the Church's World Headquarters. "As committed Christians, we follow the example of Christ, and call on all involved in armed conflict to 'put up your swords,' and seek peaceful resolution of disputes."

In an official statement released in 1985, the Church makes its position clear: "In a world filled with hate and struggle, a world of ideological strife and military conflicts, Seventh-day Adventists desire to be known as peacemakers and work for worldwide justice and peace under Christ as the head of a new humanity." [Jonathan Gallagher]

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Adventist Church Joins UN Protest Against Child Soldiers

New York, NY, USA... The ongoing use of children as young as 8 as combat soldiers was protested at a United Nations Security Council meeting in New York that included representation from the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan addressed the Council and issued a list of countries that currently utilize child combatants during conflict. The UN's objective is to publicly name and shame nations into accountability for their grievous treatment of children. Some 15 countries are cited, which among others include Rwanda, East Timor,
Afghanistan, and Columbia.

Carol Bellamy, the Executive Director of UNICEF (the United Nation's children's fund), addressed the January 14 Security Council meeting, saying that "There are 300,000 child soldiers worldwide. Those countries that subject children to conflict need to be held accountable. Children represent the world's succeeding generations, and we need to take care of our future."

Adventist Church Liaison Officer Mindi Rahn attended the public meeting and provided the Church's perspective to other groups attending. The Church has often spoken out on such issues, she noted, quoting the Church's position statements on children, abuse and violence.

"The Seventh-day Adventist Church also strongly denounces the utilization of children in conflict situations," adds general vice-president for the church Ted N. C. Wilson. "As a Christian organization dedicated to values of tolerance, caring and non-violence, we protest the appalling use of children as soldiers-destroying their innocence and denying them a true childhood. We call on all nations and factions to cease using children as weapons of war and to pursue the path of peaceful resolution of conflicts." [Jonathan Gallagher]