News June 2005

High-level Conference Inaugurates Religious Freedom Institute at Andrews University

Dr Derek Davis(L) with conference organizer Nicholas Miller Esq

Berrien Springs , Michigan, USA … Under the banner theme of “Religious Liberty: Last-days Outreach,” leaders and experts met at the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Andrews University to inaugurate the new International Religious Liberty Institute.

The June 26-27 conference brought together promoters and activists to launch the new institute that will bring “a new focus to these vital issues and provide a working location to better enhance the religious liberty program,” according to newly-elected institute director attorney Nicholas Miller.

“Through this conference we hope to make a statement that we are even more committed to issues of freedom of conscience than ever before,” Miller continues. “Adventists have long been known as faithful defenders of religious liberty, and by basing this new institute at Andrews University we believe we can further strengthen our commitment to the fundamental God-given rights to freedom of belief. By combining academic studies with practical involvement in the field of religious freedom and human rights we hope to make an even greater difference.” A brand-new certificate program in church-state studies is planned.

Visiting scholar Dr. Derek Davis in his keynote address spoke telling of the importance of guarding the separation of church and state, and analyzed the current situation of religion in politics and issues of civil religion. He also commended the Adventist Church for its ongoing commitment to promoting and defending religious freedom for all. Davis is director of the J M Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies, Baylor University, and editor of the prestigious Journal of Church and State.

Former US Ambassador for International Religious Freedom Robert A. Seiple added his enthusiastic words of encouragement and identified those present with the title of his presentation: “Ambassadors of Hope.” He looked forward to an institute where “truth is passionately pursued on behalf of the most vulnerable—the persecuted.” Seiple, once head of World Vision, now chairs the board of the Institute for Global Engagement.

Also attending the conference were international visitors and leaders including Dr. Corwin Smidt from Calvin College, Dr. John Graz and associates from the Adventist world church’s department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty, together with local scholars from Andrews University. [Jonathan Gallagher]

L to R: Derek Davis, John Graz, Lincoln Steed, Barry Bussey

Ambassador Robert A Seiple

Religious Leaders Call for Reduction of Worldwide Hunger

Dr John Graz (R) with other participants at the Interfaith Convocation

June 9, 2005 Silver Spring, Maryland, United States .... There are now 852 million people suffering from hunger all over the world, 10 million more than last year.

Increasing worldwide hunger rates -- some 852 million people across the globe are going hungry, including nearly 6 million children who die each year from hunger-related causes -- are of great concern to religious leaders from various faith communities. Representatives from various religious backgrounds including Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and Buddhist, came together with 1,000 participants for the first Interfaith Convocation on Hunger at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. June 6.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church joined the voices of concern, who petitioned to the U.S. Congress and administration for the goal of decreasing hunger. "It was a privilege for us Adventists to be invited with all other Christians and believers in a great action," says Dr. John Graz, Public Affairs and Religious Liberty director for the Seventh-day Adventist world church. "And we share the wish of doing our best in encouraging the government to do their best to help poor people around the world.

"For us as Adventists, giving bread to the poor is the most practical message we can share about our faith. ... It's the core of the gospel. It's the center of our faith. If we don't share with those who are dying, we are not really faithful to God and to the message of Jesus," Graz added.

Organized by Bread for the World, a 54,000-member Christian citizens movement that lobbies the U.S. Congress and administration for prevention of hunger, the meeting marked the first for such a large representation of faith leaders.

Participants of the convocation, held on the eve of National Hunger Awareness Day, June 7, joined in song and reading from the sacred texts of many faiths.

According to Bread for the World, hunger is on the rise. The number has risen by 10 million people in the last year, Graz says.

"Every time we do something practical to feed the hungry, we are practicing our faith," he says.

The convocation was part of a four-day event, "One Table, Many Voices: A Mobilization to End Poverty and Hunger," hosted by Bread for the World with partners Call to Renewal and America's Second Harvest. [Wendi Rogers/ANN]

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