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assembly voting agenda
Date: May 14, 1999
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
E-mail: CWillis@oc.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

99b-34

	INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- Global warming, debt 
relief for poor nations and religious freedom 
highlight issues to be debated during the Oct. 
8-12 General Assembly of the Christian Church 
(Disciples of Christ).

	The Division of Overseas Ministries, sponsor of 
the global warming resolution, is asking the 
assembly to urge U.S. ratification of a 1997 
Kyoto, Japan, treaty on climate change. Disciples 
also are being urged to demand legislation 
regulating and reducing pollution in the United 
States.

	The United Church of Christ General Synod, 
meeting in July, will vote on a similar measure  
sponsored by the United Church Board for World 
Ministries. Staff from DOM and UCBWM carry out 
overseas ministries for both denominations 
through the Common Global Ministries Board. The 
Disciples and UCC have shared a unique ecumenical 
partnership since 1985.  

	The Disciples' General Assembly and the UCC 
General Synod speak to, but not for, local 
congregations. Resolutions are forwarded to the 
Disciples General Assembly from its General Board 
with recommendations to "adopt, not adopt," or to 
"refer" for further study. The General Board 
meets July 10-13 in Fort Worth, Texas.

	DOM and the Common Board also are sponsoring a 
measure "in support of the Jubilee 2000 debt 
cancellation campaign." This is part of a world 
movement aimed at freeing heavily indebted poor 
countries from foreign debt by the beginning of 
next year. Money currently spent to repay 
international loans reduces funds available for 
health care, education, housing and other 
necessities. 

	The World Bank, International Monetary Fund and 
other global financial institutions hold most of 
the loans. These institutions are being 
challenged to develop policies to prevent future 
economic crises. In addition, the organizations 
are asked to eliminate debt without further 
jeopardizing citizens of the debtor nations. 

	According to 1996 World Bank figures, 33 of the 
36 most severely indebted low-income countries 
are in Africa. Other areas affected by enormous 
foreign debt include Latin America and the 
Caribbean, Brazil and the Philippines.

	The Disciples assembly also is being asked to 
reaffirm its commitment to religious freedom and 
to study the broad issue of religious liberty and 
examine "current and proposed legislation in 
light of this constitutional principle."

	Supporter Ken Brooker-Langston, Washington, 
D.C., sees the initiative as a resource to help 
members respond to continuing debates about 
school vouchers, amendments concerning school 
prayer and other issues related to religious 
freedom.  

	Other resolutions to be voted on during the 
biennial gathering include calls for support of a 
1997 land mine treaty, for closure of a 
controversial Georgia military installation and 
guaranteed health care for all citizens.

	Supporters are encouraging U.S. support for the 
land mine treaty, which became international law 
after more than 40 nations signed the agreement 
two years ago. The United States is among several 
countries, including Russia, Cuba, India and 
Pakistan, which did not sign the protocol.

	Many in the U.S. peace and justice community 
have worked for several years to close the School 
of the Americas at Fort Benning, Ga. Graduates of 
the school, critics say, are responsible for 
"numerous assassinations, ‘disappearances,' 
torture and mass terror." These include the 
killings of Archbishop Oscar Romero, religious 
workers and lay employees in El Salvador; murder 
campaigns in Argentina and Guatemala and other 
human rights abuses. 

	The assembly is being asked to demand that the 
U.S. government cease funding the operation and 
stop further training of military leaders from 
Central and South America and the Caribbean.

	Finally, the assembly is asked to endorse 
publicly financed health care for all U.S. 
residents and support public policy advocacy and 
preventive health care initiatives.

	-- end --