wfn.org | Adventists Protest Religious Intolerance to United Nations

[APD <APD_Info_Schweiz@compuserve.com>]

May 24, 2002
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
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CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland

Adventists Protest Religious Intolerance to United Nations

 
Geneva, Switzerland -  A statement on behalf of the 
Seventh-day Adventist Church to the United Nations 
Commission on Human Rights on April 9 deplored the 
"ever-increasing rise in religious intolerance, conflict 
and violence," and protested persecution of religious 
minorities.
 
Adventist U.N. liaison director Jonathan Gallagher says 
it was important to raise these issues in this key
international forum. He points to estimates that 100 
million Christian believers were killed through
persecution in the 20th century; more died between 
1990 and 2000 than in all the previous centuries
combined. He cautions, though, that it's essential to 
remember that Christians are not the only faith group
to suffer religious persecution. Intolerance has many 
faces, he says.
 
"We as a Church continue to be appalled at the rising 
tide of religious violence that is engulfing the world,"
says Gallagher. "To persecute and to attack another 
human being just because of religious differences is a
terrible indictment of how religions can be hijacked for 
hatred.
 
As the statement says, 'The Seventh-day Adventist 
Church adds its voice and its resources to this global
battle against the forces of evil intimidation and 
persecution, determined to do its part to ensure human
rights--particularly freedom of religion or belief for all 
peoples.'"
 
The statement cited Saudi Arabia, China, Sudan, North 
Korea, and some central Asian states as examples
of religious persecution that has led to violence and 
death. It concludes: "The Adventist Church recognizes
and deplores this ongoing tragedy, and calls upon all 
nations, religions and individuals to reject any and all
forms of violence, particularly violence carried out 'in 
the name of God.'" [Editor Viola Hughes for ANN]

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