wfn.org | Newsline: 'Resolution Against Torture' is adopted by Church of the Brethren board

[CoBNews <CoBNews@brethren.org>]

Newsline: Church of the Brethren News Service, News Director Cheryl Brumbau gh-Cayford, 800-323-8039 ext. 260, cobnews@brethren.org

'RESOLUTION AGAINST TORTURE' ADOPTED BY CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN BOARD

(Nov. 3, 2009) Elgin, IL -- A "Resolution Against Torture" has been adopted  by the Church of the Brethren's Mission and Ministry Board, at a meeting last month at the churc h's General Offices in
Elgin, Ill.

Chair Dale Minnich led the board in a consensus model of decision-making. " Hearers and Doers of the Word" provided the theme for the meeting, based on James 1:22.

The "Resolution Against Torture" was adopted after lengthy discussion and n umerous revisions to a document originally presented by a small group of board members and staff.  The resolution will be passed on to the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference for its considera tion next July.

One question that motivated the small group presenting the resolution was,  "Why didn't we act sooner?" said board member Andy Hamilton as he presented the paper. He note d that it has been close to 10 years since questions about the use of torture have begun to rise in  the United States.

The short resolution includes four sections: an introduction from the Churc h of the Brethren's experience of persecution and violence at times in its 300-year history, a  biblical basis represented as
"foundational for our conviction regarding the sanctity of life," a section  headed "Torture Is a Violation of Word and Life" stating the church's awareness of growing occur rences of torture throughout the world and attempts to legitimize it, and a section calling t he church to confession and action in response. An additional page of references accompanies the resolu tion.

Go to www.brethren.org/site/DocServer/statement_against_torture_approved.pd f?docID=5321 for the full resolution.

The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination committed to continu ing the work of Jesus peacefully and simply, and to living out its faith in community. The denomi nation is based in the Anabaptist and Pietist faith traditions and is one of the three Historic Pe ace Churches. It celebrated its 300th anniversary in 2008. It counts some 125,000 members across the United  States and Puerto Rico, and has missions and sister churches in Nigeria, Brazil, the Dominican Repu blic, Haiti, and India.

># # #

>For more information contact:

>Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford
>Director of News Services
>Church of the Brethren
>1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120
>800-323-8039 ext. 260
>cobnews@brethren.org