Social Justice Commons^™

The Vanguard (Vol. 36, No. 3), May-Jun 1989, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

AMERICA'S LARGEST RELIGION IS more often blamed for creating our environmental problems than credited with helping to solve them. Indeed, ever since historian Lynn White, Jr., published "The Historical Roots of Our Ecological Crisis" (Science magazine in 1967), the anti-earth nature of Christianity has become standard doctrine in environmental circles. (Mother Earth News, Nov/Dec issue, repeated this truism in their "Open Road" column.)

The quote above from the first chapter of Genesis forms the backbone of White's-and others'-arguments that Christianity is an anti-ecological religion. And certainly, the notion of subduing the earth and taking dominion over its creatures does sound …

The Vanguard (Vol. 35, No. 4), Jul-Aug 1989, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

Armies of both liberation and occupation have incited fear throughout history in the lands through which they marched or in which they were posted. Since World War II, an increasingly militarized world has continued to suffer under the power of this military presence.

Strong cries of protest are now not only being raised, but are also finally being heard. Not surprisingly, they are women's voices. Women worldwide, struggling for their own human rights, are also expressing the rage and horror of their people who witness the ravishment of their culture, their land, and their lives.

The Vanguard (Vol. 35, No. 1), Jan-Feb 1988, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

Capital, along with labor, is a fundamental building block of American society. Together they help create the industry services, and information we need to live in the present and to build for the future.

But what kind of future? The purpose of this article is to help you shape a healthy future through socially responsible investing.

You can help influence the way our economy uses capital, regardless of your financial position - whether you are just beginning to accumulate capital, whether you have substantial wealth in a multitude of investments, or even if you have no money to invest.

The Vanguard (Vol. 34, No. 1), Jan-Feb 1987, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

About 110 Christians from across the U.S. recently gathered on Chicago's South Side for a three day conference to examine and reflect on the Kairos Document of South Africa. They were joined by dozens of southern Africans, including several who were at the heart of that document's genesis, and who shared with participants some story of the document's unique evolution as 'Challenge to the Church: A Theological Comment on the Political Crisis m South Africa.'

The Vanguard (Vol. 34, No. 5), Sep-Oct 1987, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

Participants at the 1987 Human Relations Institute meeting Waukesha, WI, July 17-19 were challenged to respond to the suffering of the world while being renewed by the promise of Jubilee and hope proclaimed in the scriptures.

In a keynote address Friday afternoon, the Rev. Barbara Lundblad, pastor of Our Saviours Atonement Lutheran Church in New York City, urged participants to reclaim the whole of the Bible both Old and New Testaments to help understand the Jubilee tradition.

The Vanguard (Vol. 33, No. 7), Nov-Dec 1986, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

Allegations by Lutheran and Presbyterian congregations that body-bug-packing undercover agents of the United States government violated their constitutional rights were dismissed in mid October by a federal judge in Phoenix, AZ.

What it means, commented the Rev. James A. Oines, pastor of Alzona Lutheran Church, Phoenix, one of the congregations that was infiltrated, is that the federal government "can come into any church, any time, with a tape recorder, and without a warrant. And they have said they would do it."

The Vanguard (Vol. 33, No. 6), Sep-Oct 1986, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

When Rev. Brian (Red) Burchfield went to South Africa, he believed he and his co-pastor/wife Susan were missionaries to that racially-divided nation. Now, however, he understands that he was meant all along to be a missionary to the U.S.

Arriving in Cape Town last January to serve several, small congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Africa (ELCSA), Burchfield said they were met with two responses: "a warm and gracious reception and ... an attitude that took for granted that we would be going back to the United States and beginning our real work."

The Vanguard (Vol. 33, No. 5), July 1986, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

Church leaders in El Salvador, the U.S. and Europe have firmly denied accusations by a member of the non-governmental Human Rights Commission that the leader of the Lutheran Synod of El Salvador is a member of the Communist Party.

In a May 30 press conference, Luz Yaneth Alfaro Pena linked humanitarian and church-based organizations to the Faribundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN), a guerrilla federation aiming to overthrow the Salvadoran government.

The Vanguard (Vol. 33, No. 4), June 1986, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

Sanctuary activists around the country have vowed to continue to provide assistance to refugees of Central American war despite the conviction of six Sanctuary workers May 1 in Tucson, Ariz.

After a six-month trial, the verdict returned by the jury convicted six defendants of conspiracy plus lesser charges. convicted two others on lesser charges only, and acquitted three defendants. The lesser charges included harboring. transporting and encouraging the illegal entry of aliens.

The Vanguard (Vol. 33, No. 3), May 1986, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

Lutherans Concerned/North America has recently distributed '' A Call for Dialog,'' a theological document offered as a resource for gay and lesbian Christians and for the churches.

Approved by the LC/NA board last fall, the Call for Dialog is the result of more than two years of study, writing and redrafting by a Task Force on 1beology. The task force included several ordained people, and the redrafting was based on comments by LC/NA members, theologians and church leaders.

The Vanguard (Vol. 33, No. 2), Mar-Apr 1986, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

Many minority ethnic/racial groups in the United States experience higher-than-average unemployment rates, but none approaches the level of unemployment among Native Americans. A report prepared last fall by the Full Employment Action Council, the Lutheran Council U.S. A. and other sponsors documents the ''horrendous" and "devastating" rates of joblessness among both reservation and urban Indians.

In addition, the report, "American Indian Unemployment: Confronting a Distressing Reality, notes that federal assistance programs have been drastically reduced in recent years, leaving Native Americans with income and education levels far below national averages.

The Vanguard (Vol. 33, No. 1), Feb 1986, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

In Tucson, the trial of the 11 Sanctuary workers continued in January, one year after a grand jury returned indictments against them.

Defense attorneys have repeatedly challenged the government's key informant, Jesus Cruz, in an attempt to discredit him.

The Vanguard (Vol. 32, No. 5), July 1985, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

Lutheran synods and districts from all parts of the United States have expressed commitment to and support of justice concerns as a central priority of the new Lutheran Church.

Meeting in conventions over the past two months, synods of the Lutheran Church in America and districts of the American Lutheran Church have considered and adopted resolutions prepared by the Working Group on Justice Agendas and the New Lutheran Church.

The Vanguard (Vol. 32, No. 7), Nov 1985, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

Several important actions by the Commission for a New Lutheran Church have helped keep justice central to the purpose of the new Lutheran church.

At its meeting Sept. 23-27 in Kansas City, the CNLC included commissions for women and for multicultural ministries in the design of the church, included a social responsibility clause in a resolution on pension fund investments, and set a goal of 10 percent minority membership in the new church within 10 years.

The Vanguard (Vol. 32, No. 8), Dec 1985, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

Defense lawyers in the trial of 11 Sanctuary church workers who were indicted by the U.S. government for their work in sheltering refugees from Guatemala and El Salvador are pressing motions to dismiss the case on the basis of selective prosecution.

The trial began in mid-November in Tucson, Ariz., after a lengthy period of pre-trial hearings which focused on jury selection and on various motions for dismissal by the defense. Defense arguments were largely turned down by Judge Earl Carroll.

The Vanguard (Vol. 32, No. 6), Sep-Oct 1985, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

Two hundred individuals from throughout the U.S. attended the 1985 Human Relations Institute on the theme "Let Justice Roll" July 26-28 at Carroll College in Waukesha, Wis.

Sponsored by LHRAA, the Institute focused on economic justice and the roles of the Church and Christians in contemporary economic affairs.

The Vanguard (Vol. 32, No. 4), June 1985, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

The confrontation between a pastor and a bishop in western Pennsylvania has brought the attention of many Lutherans to the theological and ecclesiastical issues affecting social ministry and justice advocacy.

An appeals panel has upheld the decision of a disciplinary committee recommending that the Rev. D. Douglas Roth, formerly pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Clairton, PA, be removed from the ministry. Investigating panels have also recommended the resignation of two other pastors, Rev. Daniel Solberg and Rev. William Rex.

The Vanguard (Vol. 32, No. 3), May 1985, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

"Xenophobia, the hatred of the foreigner, is spreading in Europe. Dear friends, the 'hideous beast' is rising again among us, and, as before, governments are being weak and not combating this climate of hate. What starts with xenophobia ends with war.''

So said Bruno Kreisky, former chancellor of Austria, on the 46th anniversary of "Kristall Nacht," November 10, 1984, at Dachau in the Federal Republic of Germany.

The Vanguard (Vol. 32, No. 1), Feb 1985, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

Arrests and grand jury indictments January 14 against refugees and workers in the Sanctuary movement have challenged church-based attempts to aid Central American refugees.

As VANGUARD went to press, full details of the nation-wide action were still being confirmed, but indictments had been returned in Phoenix, and refugee arrests were made in at least four states.

The Vanguard (Vol. 32, No. 2), Mar-Apr 1985, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

The Lutheran churches are in Indian country.

Hundreds of Lutheran congregations are within 10 miles of an Indian reservation. Hundreds more are in cities with large Indian populations, cities like Minneapolis, Sioux Falls, Seattle, Phoenix, Milwaukee and San Francisco.

Most Indian people, either on reservations or in cities, live in poverty and suffer more unemployment, poorer education, higher rates of illness and less opportunity than any other segment of society.

The Vanguard (Vol. 31, No. 2), Mar-Apr 1984, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

According to Paul Schultz, president of the National Indian Lutheran Board (NILB), 1983 was a year of continuing leadership and growing partnership.

In his report to the almost forty participants at the recent annual meeting in Tempe, AZ, Schultz noted that "It is exciting to participate in the process that is setting a vision for continuing Indian Ministry, and then translating that vision into action. "

The Vanguard (Vol. 31, No. 1), Feb 1984, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

Irreparable damage was inflicted on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights during a bitter and protracted debate spanning much of 1983. The past year has seen the loss of an independent civil rights 'watchdog' that has served the nation welt for over 25 years. It was a one-of-a-kind agency that will be difficult, if not impossible, to replace.

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights was created by President Eisenhower in 1957 for the express purpose of investigating and monitoring in an objective manner the civil rights policies of the federal government. Under this responsibility it monitors the performance of federal …

The Vanguard (Vol. 31, No. 8), Dec 1984, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

Nowhere in the crisis of American agriculture are the problems more imposing than in the decline of Black farm ownership and operation.

The decline of Black farming in the U.S. is illustrated by date from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These data indicate that in every decade from 1959 to 1978, the number of Black-operated farms has been cut in half.

The Vanguard (Vol. 31, No. 5), July 1984, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

No longer wishing to be marginalized by the national Lutheran churches, and deeply concerned about the ongoing formation of a new Lutheran church, 35 persons gathered in Chicago, May 10-12, and formed a coalition of "edge-of-the-church" ministries. Called the Working Group On Justice Agendas and the New Lutheran church, it represents the broadest based coalition of such Lutheran ministries that has ever been formed.

The Rev. Dr. Albert "Pete" Pero proclaimed the event to be '' A union which will make the new church take justice seriously.'' Pero, a member of the Transcultural Task Force, Association of Black Lutherans (LCA) …

The Vanguard (Vol. 31, No. 6), Sep-Oct 1984, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

Under the theme of "A Church for Our Children," more than 200 persons participated in the 31st Annual Human Relations Institute at Carroll College, sponsored by Lutheran Human Relations Association of America.

The theme was derived from a document prepared by the Tri-Lutheran Trans-Cultural Task Force and was the focus of worship, reflection sessions and speakers for the weekend conference July 27-29.

Keynote speaker Wi Jo Kang, a professor of World Religions and Mission at Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, IA, highlighted the theme with an analogy to the church as experienced at the . first Pentecost.

The Vanguard (Vol. 31, No. 4), June 1984, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

In the early 1980's the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service began a policy of incarcerating Haitians at Miami's Krome Detention Center. A visit to the facility in those days revealed the inhumane treatment being afforded to people who in desperation had fled the tyrannical regime of President-for-Life Jean-Claude Duvalier in creaky, overloaded boats.

At Krome they sat-month after month-segregated from family and friends in a strange new land; prisoners penned in by barbed-wire fences. Krome was aptly characterized as an ugly scar on the face of American democracy.

The Vanguard (Vol. 31, No. 3), May 1984, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

An FBI and police informant leads a car caravan of 39 Ku Klux Klansmen and American Nazis into an anti-Klan demonstration in a Black neighborhood in Greensboro, North Carolina. One of the planners of the attack, an undercover Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (U.S. Treasury) agent is absent from the caravan. The caravan is followed closely by an unmarked Greensboro police car. Though the FBI and police are forewarned of the assault, all police squad cars have been pulled from the area.

Klansmen and Nazis yell racist epithets at the multiracial crowd of men, women and children, attack the …

The Vanguard (Vol. 31, No. 7), Nov 1984, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

The Simpson/Mazzoli immigration bill was on again and off again as the 98th Congress closed its final session in October.

Two issues each deadlocked the conference committee that was charged Sept. 13 with resolving differences between the two versions passed earlier in the year by the House and Senate.

The Vanguard (Vol. 30, No. 8), Dec 1983, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

A group of four volunteers from the United States is living . in Jalapa, Nicaragua, as part of a nonviolent program entitled, "Witness for Peace." Jalapa, near the northern border of Nicaragua with Honduras has been the site of attacks by the anti-Nicaraguan "contras" forces.

The Witness for Peace program has grown out of the experience of some North Americans who have visited Nicaragua since the Sandinista revolution in 1979. The group wants to speak out and act against the toll that the ongoing war is taking in human lives.

The Vanguard (Vol. 30, No. 3), May 1983, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

A group of Latin American Lutherans held a ''Lutheran Regional Consultation on Solidarity" in Costa Rica last January.

The participants, from Mexico, Columbia, Venezuela and four Central American countries issued a communique which calls for a negotiated settlement in El Salvador. It also denounces destabilizing efforts against Nicaragua and continuing oppression in Guatemala.