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Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

Title:Discussions from a Christian Perspective
Notice:Prostitutes and tax collectors welcome!
Moderator:CSC32::J_CHRISTIE
Created:Mon Sep 17 1990
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1362
Total number of notes:61362

223.0. "Specific Ways to Peace" by LJOHUB::NSMITH (rises up with eagle wings) Wed Apr 24 1991 10:47

    This string for discussing specific actions that can promote peace in
    our world.
    
    [note to mods - move if necessary; I checked titles under "peace" and
    "war" and didn't find an appropriate string ;-) ]
    
    Nancy
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
223.1UM's consider Peace CenterLJOHUB::NSMITHrises up with eagle wingsWed Apr 24 1991 10:4848
Gift generates vision of peace center
-------------------------------------
by Ann G. Whiting
Southern New England UMR Editor

The announcement of a $90 million gift to United Methodist camping and
conferencing has generated a vision of a global peace center among three
Southern New England pastors.  They are inviting others to share their vision.

The Rev. Sam Johnson, Franklin, Mass. UMC, was at the national camping meeting
earlier this year when the anonymous gift was announced.  He chairs SNEAC's
Commission on Camps and Conferences.  A provision of the $90 million gift is
that $1 million dollars will be available for each annual conference that
submits a plan for its use by 1993.  The $90 million will be available in the
year 2000.

Mr. Johnson began to dream of a global peace center that could be built if each
annual conference would tithe their million dollar grants, generating $7
million to develop such a center.

He shared his vision with the Rev. Evan Johnson, Milford, Mass. and with the
Rev. Alford Alphonse, Central District Superintendent.  Mr. Alphonse had been
independently thinkgin along the same lines.

They envisioned a center that would "experiential" and that would host peace
camps for all ages and cultures.  It would be a study center for the
theological and ethical issues related to peace, and bring together leading
figures in peace thought and action.  It would be a vital spiritual center for
prayer and interfaith dialogue.  "Such a center," said Evan Johnson, "could
change concepts and people, and the communities and nations to which they
return."

The three pastors invited 45 people who might support the vision of a peace
center to a meeting on April 9....

Among the concers raised at the meeting, according to Evan Johnson:
- political leaders dare not critique the recent Gulf war in the midst of
  massive popular support for it, so the church needs to take the responsibility
  for peace work;
- there is no strong prophetic peace voice on campuses;
- it is important to incarnate peace and justice in people through activities
  and programs like the Nicaragua walks;
- several regional centers might be more effective than just one.

Next step?  Asking the Boston Area conferences to support a petition on the
peace center to the 1992 General Conference.  A second meeting will be held on
April 25 at the Westborough UMC (6:30 p.m.).  Strategies for developing the
vision and enlisting support for it will be considered.
223.2SA1794::SEABURYMZen: It's Not What You ThinkWed Apr 24 1991 12:0788
    Thich Naht Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist, has written a wonderful
 little book titled, "Being Peace". In it he puts forth the idea
 that the way to achieve peace is simply to be peace. Peace is not
 a thing to be achieved, but rather a process, a function of our
 lives and thoughts. 
     He has founded what is known as the Tiep Hien denomination 
 of Buddhism and in this book he lists the basic principles that
 will help us to "be peace".
    						  
    
    
    
    
	        	The 14 Tiep Hien Precepts
    
    
First: Do not be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or
ideology, even Buddhist ones. All systems of thought are guiding means; they
are not absolute truth.

Second: Do not think that the knowledge you presently possess is changeless,
absolute truth. Avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views. Learn and
practice non-attachment from views in order to be open to receive others'
viewpoints. Truth is found in life and not merely in conceptual knowledge. Be
ready to learn throughout your entire life and to observe reality in yourself
and in the world at all times.

Third: Do not force others, including children, by any means whatsoever, to
adopt your views, whether by authority, threat, money, propaganda, or even
education. However, through compassionate dialogue, help others renounce
fanaticism and narrowness.

Fourth: Do not avoid contact with suffering or close your eyes before
suffering. Do not lose awareness of the existence of suffering in the life of
the world. Find ways to be with those who are suffering by all means, including
personal contact and visits, images, sound. By such means, awaken yourself and
others to the reality of suffering in the world.

Fifth: Do not accumulate wealth while millions are hungry. Do not take as the
aim of your life fame, profit, wealth, or sensual pleasure. Live simply and
share time, energy, and material resources with those who are in need.

Sixth: Do not maintain anger or hatred. As soon as anger and hatred arise,
practice the meditation on compassion in order to deeply understand the persons
who have caused anger and hatred. Learn to look at other beings with the eyes
of compassion.

Seventh: Do not lose yourself in dispersion and in your surroundings. Learn to
practice breathing in order to regain composure of body and mind, to practice
mindfulness, and to develop concentration and understanding.

Eighth: Do not utter words that can create discord and cause the community to
break. Make every effort to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.

Ninth: Do not say untruthful things for the sake of personal interest or to
impress people. Do not utter words that cause division and hatred. Do not
spread news that you do not know to be certain. Do not criticize or condemn
things that you are not sure of. Always speak truthfully and constructively.
Have the courage to speak out about situations of injustice, even when doing so
may threaten your own safety.

Tenth: Do not use the Buddhist community for personal gain or profit, or
transform your community into a political party. A religious community should,
however, take a clear stand against oppression and injustice, and should strive
to change the situation without engaging in partisan conflicts.

Eleventh: Do not live with a vocation that is harmful to humans and nature. Do
not invest in companies that deprive others of their chance to life. Select a
vocation which helps realize your ideal of compassion.

Twelfth: Do not kill. Do not let others kill. Find whatever means possible to
protect life and to prevent war.

Thirteenth: Possess nothing that should belong to others. Respect the property
of others but prevent others from enriching themselves from human suffering or
the suffering of other beings.

Fourteenth: Do not mistreat your body. Learn to handle it with respect. Do not
look on your body as only an instrument. Preserve vital energies (sexual,
breath, spirit) for the realization of the way. Sexual expression should not
happen without love and commitment. In sexual relationships be aware of the
future suffering that may be caused. To preserve the happiness of others,
respect the rights and commitments of others. Be fully aware of the
responsibility of bringing new lives into the world. Meditate on the world into
which you are bringing new beings.

                            
223.3the 1 way to peace is through the power of the Cross2B::THOMPSONWhich side did you say was up?Wed Apr 24 1991 13:556
    I really believe that peace comes though Christ. I have no hope that
    it will come before the total evangelism of the world. This is a
    major reason we should head the call to spread the Gospel to the 4
    corners of the world.

    		Alfred
223.4JURAN::VALENZAI've been 'there'd.Wed Apr 24 1991 15:319
    Thanks, Nancy, for posting that.  I am glad to see the UM Church
    pursuing this issue.  War is pervasive in our society, from ROTC on
    college campuses to war colleges, not to mention war games, war movies,
    and war toys.  There isn't enough devoted to peace.  I am especially
    glad to see a mention of an interfaith dialogue, because I believe that
    part of the process of working for peace is learning to listen to other
    cultures and other faiths.

    -- Mike
223.5Pax ChristiCSC32::J_CHRISTIEExtended familyThu Apr 25 1991 01:3522
Note 223.3

>    I really believe that peace comes though Christ. I have no hope that
>    it will come before the total evangelism of the world. This is a
>    major reason we should head the call to spread the Gospel to the 4
>    corners of the world.

Alfred,

	Where does the belief that world peace will occur only when the
entire population of the world is evangelized come from?

	I have heard this before, but I don't know where it comes from.
Is it based on Scripture?  Or teaching about Scripture?  Is it based upon
the teachings of Jesus?  The Revelation of St. John the Divine?

Peace,
Richard

PS I also believe that peace comes through Christ.  And, I also believe that
social justice promotes peace.  And, I also believe that peace comes through
not going to war.
223.6Waging peaceCSC32::J_CHRISTIEExtended familyFri Apr 26 1991 00:5546
I agree with the ways to peace Mike S. has suggested through the work
of Thich Naht Hanh.  By no means a conclusive list, I would add several
more:

o Allow the Everlasting Light of Christ to fill every crevice of your being.

o Pray, meditate upon, and envision peace.

o Take as large a measure as possible of responsibility for existing
  conditions which are conducive to injustice, violence and the waging of war.

o Try to do the most Christ-like thing in every situation.

o Own as little property as possible.  Land ownership and speculation is of
  questionable morality.

o Choose carefully what you purchase.  Consider the environment in your
  purchase.  For example, I ordered my new van *without* air conditioning
  which requires ozone destroying Freon.  Consider the social implications
  of every purchase.

o Borrow as little as possible.

o Share as much as possible.

o Give away as much money as possible.  (Nothing is more subversive.)

o Decline your next salary raise.

o Do not avoid conflict, difficult situations or the suffering of others.

o Keep as few secrets as possible.

o Confront injustice.  Try to be active, not passive, in the process of
  reconciliation, healing and peace.  Seek no vengeance.  Seek ways other
  than retaliation or destructive force to bring about justice.

o Demonstrate compassion at every opportunity.  Do this with your immediate
  family, not only with strangers.

o Learn, come to understand and appreciate that every choice each person makes
  has an effect on the lives of others.

o Tear down as many imaginary borders and boundaries as possible.

<possibly to be continued>
223.7:-)XANADU::FLEISCHERwithout vision the people perish (381-0899 ZKO3-2/T63)Fri Apr 26 1991 09:349
re Note 223.5 by CSC32::J_CHRISTIE:

> And, I also believe that peace comes through
> not going to war.

        What a radical idea!  Are you sure?  Earlier this year, our
        leader told us that peace comes from war.

        Bob
223.8work for communityTFH::KIRKa simple songFri Apr 26 1991 12:2840
In a nut shell:

1) Don't annoy people too much.

2) Don't be too easily annoyed.

This is the "G" rated parphrase of Two Rules For Living In Utopia.  I'm not 
sure where I first heard it.


I would also say that it is important to learn and seek out your possible 
choices, and then with open eyes and with prayer, act on them.

One of the saddest things I heard from President Bush was when he said there 
was "no choice" other than going to war.  If the elected leader of the most 
powerful military and economic force in the world cannot find choices to make, 
that is a sorrowful commentary. 

One obvious choice when war is on the horizon is to Not Go To War.  Yes, there 
is a cost to that, and No I do not advocate "peace at any cost", but reflect:

The U.S. is willing to spend hundreds of thousands of lives and a billion
dollars a day to wage war.  We budget hundreds of billions of dollars per year
to develop faster and more efficient ways to kill. 

What is our national budget for Peace?  (And I *don't* mean the peace of 
arming ourselves to the teeth and being so threatening that none dare oppose 
us, I do not call that Peace.)

What could we do with $100,000,000,000 that might help save lives, cure 
diseases, distribute food to the world and alleviate hunger, build appropriate 
housing and develop appropriate technologies that would not be hostile to 
people, their environment, or their culture?  What could we do to obviate 
people's perceived need to go to war?

We show our Faith by our Works.

Peace,

Jim  (I see I've rambled a bit .-)
223.9CSC32::J_CHRISTIEExtended familyFri Apr 26 1991 21:226
    Hey, Jim!
    
    You said a bundle! .8 would would even make a good candidate for
    the Pulpit (Note 219.x) 8-}
    
    Richard
223.10CSC32::J_CHRISTIEExtended familyFri Apr 26 1991 21:318
Re: .8

Community is very important in peacemaking.  Among other things, community
is where the peacemaker may be affirmed and refreshed in the face of
discouragement, disillusionment and failure.

Peace,
Richard
223.11Get involvedCSC32::J_CHRISTIEExtended familySat Apr 27 1991 00:1613
Speaking of community, I would recommend to anyone who feels called to
work for peace to become involved in one of a myriad of existing
organizations that witness for peace.

Most churches have a peace and social action arm.  Some have several.

Among United Methodists, for example, there is the General Board of
Church and Society (which has its counterparts at the conference,
district, and local church levels) and the Methodist Federation for
Social Action.

Peace,
Richard
223.12DEMING::VALENZANote while you sing.Thu May 02 1991 22:5154
                     UNIVERSAL DECLARATION ON NON-VIOLENCE
                    The Incompatibility of Religion and War

    [Reprinted with permission from the March/April issue of Creation
    Sprituality.  Authored by Wayne Teasdale, the Dalai Lama, and members of
    the North American Board for the East-West.]

    This document is an attempt to set forth a vision of non-violence within
    the context of an emerging global civilization in which all forms of
    violence, especially war, are totally unacceptable as means to settle
    disputes between and among nations, groups, and persons.  This new
    vision of civilization is global in scope, universal in culture, and
    based on love and compassion, the highest moral and spiritual principles
    of the various historical religions.  Its universal nature acknowledges
    the essential fact of modern life:  the interdependence of nations
    economies, cultures, and religious traditions.

    As members of religious groups throughout the world, we are increasingly
    aware of our responsibility to promote peace in our age and in the ages
    to come.  Nevertheless, we recognize that in the history of the human
    family people of various religions, acting official in the name of their
    respective traditions, have either initiated or collaborated in
    organized and systematic violence or war.  These actions have at times
    been directed against other religious traditions, groups, and nations,
    as well as within particular religious traditions.  This patter of
    behavior is totally inappropriate for spiritual persons and communities.
    Therefore, as  members of world religions, we declare before the human
    family, that:

	Religion can no longer be an accomplice to war, to terrorism, or to
	any other forms of violence, organized or spontaneous, against any
	member of the human family.  Because this family is one, global, and
	interrelated, out actions must be consistent with this identity.  We
	recognize the right and duty of governments to defend the security
	of their people and to relieve those afflicted by exploitation and
	persecution.  Nevertheless, we declare that religion must not permit
	itself to be used by any state, group, or organization for the
	purpose of supporting aggression for nationalistic gain.  We have an
	obligation to promote a new vision of society, one in which war has
	no place in resolving disputes between and among states,
	organizations, and religions.

    In making this declaration, we the signatories commit ourselves to this
    new vision.  We call upon all the members of our respective traditions
    to embrace this vision.  We urge our members and all peoples to use every
    moral means to dissuade their governments from promoting war or
    terrorism.  We strongly encourage the United Nations Organization to
    employ all available resources toward the development of peaceful
    methods of resolving conflicts among nations.

    Our declaration is meant to promote such a new global society, one in
    which non-violence is pre-eminent as a value in all human relations.  We
    offer this vision of peace, mindful of the words of Pope Paul VI to the
    United Nations in November 1965:  "No more war; war never again!"
223.13JURAN::VALENZAKnote Rockne.Fri Jun 07 1991 14:3769
Article 1510 of clari.news.religion:
From: clarinews@clarinet.com (DAVID E. ANDERSON, UPI Religion Writer)
Newsgroups: clari.news.religion,clari.news.features
Subject: Peace best remedy for famine, Christian lobby says
Date: 7 Jun 91 00:04:30 GMT
Lines: 58
    
 (Commentary)

Religion in America
	First it's the Kurds, then those in cyclone-ravaged Bangladesh and
now -- again -- millions of Ethiopians, Sudanese and Somalians.
	And the question: ``Why didn't all of the donations to the Live Aid
concerts end hunger in Ethiopia?''
	Relief experts call it ``compassion fatigue,'' the frustration that
comes when donors' generous impulses wear down and the problems that
spark the giving and compassion begin to seem intractable.
	Recent disasters have handed relief organizations a resource-draining
triple whammy with the catastrophes of the Kurds, Bangladeshi and the
people of the three nations of the Horn of Africa.
	But Bread for the World, the grassroots Christian anti-hunger group,
is trying to combat compassion fatigue and the sense of powerlessness
these continuing crises create by teaching church members a new lesson:
that war rather than drought or lack of food is a primary cause of
famine.
	``War -- not crop failure -- is the primary cause of famine not only in
northern Iraq, but in Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia as well,'' according
to the 44,000-member organization.
	``A multitude of Live Aid concerts cannot permanently end these
famines,'' it argues. ``For famine to be alleviated, political solutions
must be found to the various regional and international conflicts.''
	And that means taking a look at U.S. foreign policy.
	``Our nation's foreign policy often plays a more important role in
ending hunger than donations to relief organizations,'' according to
Bread for the World offials. ``Consequently, people are becoming more
vocal in expressing their concerns to Congress about our foreign policy.
''
	That doesn't mean people should end their donations to such groups as
Church World Service, Catholic Relief Services or Lutheran World Relief.
There will always be disasters such as the cyclone that hit Bangladesh
or the earthquake in Soviet Armenia.
	But the dollars given to relief organizations will go further, Bread
for the World believes, if at the same time donors invest in a 29-cent
stamp to let Congress know U.S. foreign policy needs to be changed.
	The link between war and famine is most drmatically in evidence in
the three nations on the Horn of Africa -- Ethiopia, the Sudan and
Somalia -- where an estimated 17 million people are at risk of dying of
starvation.
	All three countries are caught in the grips of bitter civil wars,
although there is some hope the situation in Ethiopia may be taking a
dramatic turn toward resolution.
	Where does U.S. policy fit into all of this?
	Between 1981 and 1989, according to Department of Defense and Agency
for International Development officials, the U.S. spent provided $1.1
billion in military and security assistance to Sudan and Somalia. The
Soviet Union, meanwhile, poured nearly $12 billion in military aid into
Ethiopia.
	Bread for the World is pushing legislation known as the Horn of
Africa Recovery and Food Security Act that would redirect U.S. aid to
the region away from military assistance, to press peace initiatives --
such as the U.S.-brokered Ethiopian peace talks -- and to target
development assistance to the people rather than the military
governments.
	That's where the 29-cent stamp comes in. Bread for the World believes
passage of the Horn of Africa Recovery Act will do as much to end famine
as the next Live Aid concert. And they're asking you to act, too.
 adv fri june 7


223.14pointerCSC32::J_CHRISTIEHumynTue Jun 11 1991 00:253
    Also see 81.37 for information on Peace Taxes.
    
    Richard
223.15The WayCSC32::J_CHRISTIEHumynTue Jun 11 1991 00:389
    We've got to lose the paradigm that peace is the absence of
    conflict.  It is simply not the truth.  Peace is more accurately
    a way of struggling with conflict.
    
    Just as there is no way to Jesus, Jesus *is* the way; And just
    there is no way to love, love *is* the way; There is no way to
    peace, peace *is* the way.
    
    Richard
223.16DPDMAI::DAWSONA Different LightTue Jun 11 1991 11:177
    RE: .15  Richard,
    
    
                      I *LIKE* the peace tax idea.
    
    
    Dave
223.17Three concrete stepsCSC32::J_CHRISTIECenterpeaceTue Aug 06 1991 01:3327
"[The Persian Gulf] war and its aftermath are just one more example of
just war thinking to deal with the problem of war.  I suggest three
concrete steps to begin to turn the situation around:

1.  The military chaplaincy program should be terminated by the mainstream
churches.  If the nationalist churches want to continue the present
arrangement of having majors and colonels and admirals interpret the
Gospel to service personnel, so be it.  All churches serious about their
status as moralists should seek to minister to armed forces personnel
through civilian pastoral arrangement.

2.  A definitive stand should be taken on nuclear weapons.  Their use,
possession, and production should be condemned and made off limits to
all church members.  It would be a major pastoral challenge to work out
the transition for all those engaged in the nuclear war business.

3. The church should withdraw support for all government activities that
come under the National Security Act of 1947.  Henceforth, there would be
no approval for covert actions or overt actions that withhold vital
information from the public as to their intent and execution.

These actions will put the churches and individual members on a collision
course with the government.  We will then find out if we as individuals
and churches can live the personal Gospel that develops its politics from
its theology rather than the other way around."

				- Bill Sulzman, contemporary prophet
223.18This person does not have a clue about the role of military chaplainsCVG::THOMPSONSemper GumbyTue Aug 06 1991 13:5732
>1.  The military chaplaincy program should be terminated by the mainstream
>churches.  If the nationalist churches want to continue the present
>arrangement of having majors and colonels and admirals interpret the
>Gospel to service personnel, so be it.  All churches serious about their
>status as moralists should seek to minister to armed forces personnel
>through civilian pastoral arrangement.

	My father was a Navy chaplain (reserves) for 20+ years. I've met
	other Navy chaplains (one of whom is now cardanal/arch bishop of
	New York) as well. I see no logic in this proposal. The clergy who
	serve as chaplains are no different then civilian pastors in training,
	in commitment, or in belief. What they do have is the ability to
	understand the problems and differences of military life.

	The military population is a transiant one and not all pastors are
	suited by training or temporment to deal with this. Likewise there
	is a military burocricy that is different and at time difficult to
	deal with. Being a military chaplain gives one insights and access
	the result in a pastor being able to much more effectivly help their
	parishionars.

	Also military chaplians are often more able because of experiance
	and yes even rank able to help programs get started that officiers
	would not even listen to from "outsiders." My father, as chief
	chaplain of the Military Sea Lift command was able to start a program
	of lay preachers for example. As the MSL is geographically spread
	out and run as individual ships access to services was very rare
	before that program was started. I'm not sure that a non military
	paster would have been aware of the need let alone been able to get
	the support needed to get it running.

				Alfred
223.19pointerCSC32::J_CHRISTIECenterpeaceTue Aug 06 1991 18:0010
Re: .18

Actually, Alfred, the aspect of military chaplaincy brought up in 223.17,
as I understand it, is a matter of collusion, a matter of endorsing (or
blessing) military actions and reasoning.

Rather than sidelining this note, I shall start a new one. (281.0)

Peace,
Richard
223.20JURAN::VALENZAThus noteth the maven.Mon Oct 21 1991 13:4159
Article 1115 of misc.activism.progressive:
Path: nntpd.lkg.dec.com!engage.pko.dec.com!e2big.mko.dec.com!pa.dec.com!decwrl!uunet!wupost!mont!daemon
From: christic@igc.org (Christic Institute)
Newsgroups: misc.activism.progressive
Subject: Intl Protest on War Toys 11/29-30
Message-ID: <1991Oct16.233107.19211@pencil.cs.missouri.edu>
Date: 16 Oct 91 23:31:07 GMT
Sender: daemon@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Organization: PACH
Lines: 44
Approved: map@pencil.cs.missouri.edu

/* Written 10:14 am  Oct 16, 1991 by peacenet in cdp:pn.announcemen */
/* ---------- "Intl Protest on War Toys 11/29-30" ---------- */
From: <peacenet>
Subject: Intl Protest on War Toys 11/29-30

From: wrl, War Resisters League, Amy Melnick and Michael Marsh

                        Seventh Annual International Days to
                                  PROTEST WAR TOYS

                               November 29 & 30, 1991

          Each year millions of dollars worth of violent, racist and sexist
          toys are purchased by parents. Research and common sense tells us
          that these toys are one way children learn anti-social behaviors
          and to passively accept war.

          This year help put a stop to the sales of these toys. Join
          members of the War Resisters League and thousands of people
          around the world in actions to protest war toys. With people in
          your community or alone or with your family, these are some of
          the actions you can take:

          1. Write or call the War Resisters League's Stop War Toys
          Campaign for further information and sample materials. SWTC, c/o
          WRL, 339 Lafayette St, NYC 10012. (212) 228-0450, (212) 228-6193
          fax. PeaceNet="wrl". Send us $7 and we will send you our Stop War
          Toys Campaign Packet.

          2. Leaflet your local toy store. Go inside and ask the manager
          not to sell violent toys. Take direct action by placing warning
          labels on war toys.

          3. Write letters to the editors of your local papers. Write a
          short public service announcement regarding the issue and get
          local radio stations to read it. Work with the Campaign to get
          the No More War Toys Live T.V. Teach-in shown in your area.

          4. Join local parades, school events, conferences, etc. with the
          Stop War Toys message.

          Whatever you chose to do, join us on November 29th & 30th and
          through-out the year in our effort to take the spirit of war out
          of child's play.


223.21War tax resistance in ColrainURQUEL::J_CHRISTIEBring me some figgy pudding!Thu Dec 05 1991 21:3372
At 9 a.m. today, federal marshals arrested Randy Kehler at his
home in Colrain, Massachusetts. The arresting contingent
consisted of nine federal marshals, two state troopers, The
Colrain Police Chief, Russel Dennison, Franklin County Sheriff
Chris McQuade.

Not satisfied with arresting Randy, who was alone on the property
at the time, the contingent went across the street and arrested
Betsy Corner.

Randy and Betsy were taken to the federal courthouse in
Springfield, where Betsy was released. Randy was given a 6 month
sentence. He's currently incarcerated in the Hampshire County
Jail, and expects to be transferred to a federal facility in a
week or two.

                              * * *

War tax refusal serves the cause of progressive social change of
whatever sort, and we're hoping that peace workers in every area,
whether they are resisters or not, show immediate and vocal
support of Randy and Betsy's principled refusal to pay for
militarism and intervention.

The most immediate thing that can be done is to subscribe to the
following statement of support. Statements are needed from
individuals and groups of all sorts.

                      ====================
                      STATEMENT OF SUPPORT
                      ====================

Our federal tax dollars pay for enormous human suffering. For the
survival of human beings and this planet, it is imperative that
we turn away from war and killing, that our resources be used for
schools, decent jobs, affordable homes, and to clean up the air,
water, and land. Tax dollars must be used for healing, not
killing.

Since 1977, Randy Kehler and Betsy Corner have refused to pay
federal taxes which fund nuclear weapons and military
interventions in violation of both conscience and international
law.  The federal government has seized their house as payment
for those taxes.

As one element in the struggle to reset this nation's priorities,
we support Betsy Corner and Randy Kehler in their refusal to
surrender their home.  We also support those planning nonviolent
civil disobedience as a sustained response to the federal
government's eviction.

                      ====================

Copies of this statement of support, or one of your own devising, can
be sent to any or all of the following:

          Mary Elizabeth Carmody
          US Attorney's Office
          Boston MA  02203

          Gerald Miller
          US Justice Department
          Boston MA 02203

          Damon Holmes, Ombudsman
          Rm 3003, IRS
          1111 Constitution Ave. NW
          Washington DC 20224

It would also be appropriate to send copies to your local
newspapers and your congresspeople.

223.22seriously though, what is their real goalCVG::THOMPSONRadical CentralistMon Dec 09 1991 01:099
    Didn't someone once say something to the effect of giving
    to the government what was the governments? Everyone can
    find something the government does that they disapprove of.
    If everyone did what these people did there would be no 
    government. Which may not be a bad thing. But everyone who
    fights things by not paying taxes is ultimately fighting to
    end government.

    		Alfred
223.23CSC32::J_CHRISTIEBring me some figgy pudding!Mon Dec 09 1991 21:0411
>    Didn't someone once say something to the effect of giving
>    to the government what was the governments?

Uh, yes. ;-}  The tricky part is determining what belongs to God
and what belongs to the government.  Many war tax resisters base
their actions on religious beliefs, same as conscientious objectors.
Typically, a war tax resister will go ahead and pay the non-military
related taxes.

Peace,
Richard
223.24JURAN::JURAN::VALENZASeason's NotingsFri Jan 10 1992 21:4083
Article: 2161
Newsgroups: misc.activism.progressive
From: jon@kracken.uci.com (Jon Harder)
Subject: NEWS: Peace Tax Bill to Get Hearing
Sender: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (Rich Winkel)
Organization: PACH
Date: Mon, 6 Jan 1992 19:14:12 GMT
 
 
     The U.S. Congress has for the first time scheduled a hearing on the
     Peace Tax Fund bill.  The bill would provide an alternative fund, to
     be used for peaceful purposes, for thoses who are conscientious
     objectors to the use of their taxes for military purposes.
 
     Last year 31.2 percent of U.S. income taxes--$304 billion--went for
     current military spending, and 18.0 percent--$184 billion--covered
     past military spending.  The Peace Tax Fund would apply only to taxes
     for current military spending.
 
     Individuals and organizations who support the bill should send letters
     of testimony to the campaign.  Letters should be addressed to the
     House Ways and Means Committee and mailed to:
 
          The National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund,
          2121 Decatur Pl., NW
          Washington, D.C.  20008
 
     All letters received will be presented to the committee, and some will
     become part of the official hearing record.
 
     People who support the bill should attend the hearing if possible.  If
     members of Congress know the hearing room will be full, more of them
     are likely to attend the hearing.
 
 
     [From 26 December Mennonite Weekly Review]
 
 
     For more information call or write:
 
          The National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund
          2121 Decatur Pl., NW
          Washington, D.C.  20008
          phone (202) 483-3751
 
 
     Endorsing organizations:
 
          American Friends Service Committee
          Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America
          Brethren In Christ Church
          Buddhist Peace Fellowship
          Church of the Brethren
          Disciples of Christ
          Ecumenical Witness Conference of the National Council of Churches
          Episcopal Peace Fellowship
          Evangelicals for Social Action
          Fellowship of Reconciliation
          Franciscan Federation of Brothers and Sisters of the U.S.
          Friends Committee on National Legislation
          Friends United Meeting
          The Fund for Peace
          General Conference Mennonite Church
          Grandmothers for Peace
          Humanitas International
          Jewish Peace Fellowship
          Lutheran Peace Fellowship
          Lutheran Student Movement U.S.A.
          Mennonite Central Committee, U.S. Peace Section
          The Mennonite Church
          Mobilization for Survival
          National Assembly of Religious Women
          National Federation of Priests' Councils
          New Call to Peacemaking
          New Jewish Agenda
          Pax Christi, U.S.A.
          Presbyterian Peace Fellowship
          Sojourners
          Unitarian Universalist Association
          United Church of Christ
          U.S. Catholic Conference, Office of International Peace and Justice
          Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
 
223.25JURAN::JURAN::VALENZASeason's NotingsFri Jan 10 1992 21:4876
Article: 2228
Newsgroups: misc.activism.progressive
From: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (Rich Winkel)
Subject: Tax Resister's House Under Siege
Sender: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (Rich Winkel)
Organization: PACH
Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1992 03:37:18 GMT
 
/** gn.peacemedia: 72.0 **/
** Topic: Tax Resisters' House Under Siege **
** Written  9:50 pm  Jan  7, 1992 by gn:peacemedia in cdp:gn.peacemedia **
USA: TAX RESISTERS' HOME UNDER SIEGE
 
[Peace Media Service] So large was the contingent that turned out
December 3 to arrest pacifists Randy Kehler and Betsy CornerDnine
federal marshals, two state troopers, and both the local police
chief and the county sheriffDone would have thought the police
were arresting two terrorists.
 
Since 1977 Kehler and Corner have refused to pay their taxes as a
protest against military spending; the money they would have paid
in taxes instead was contributed to peace, human rights and
development work. The couple had been ordered to leave their home
so that the IRS [Internal Revenue Service] could auction it off in
order to obtain the money the couple had refused to pay.
 
Hours after his arrest, Kehler was sentenced to six months in
prison for refusing to promise not to return to his home. Corner
was freed after promising not to return; she is looking after
their daughter, Lillian.
 
Following the eviction, an affinity groupDthe Morning After TeamD
moved into the house despite a court order stating that ``anyone
on the premises will be charged with contempt and will be
incarcerated or fined until they comply.''
 
One morning the occupiers were joined by 120 supporters for a
``celebrate the resistance'' party, and now they have handed the
house over to the ``Neighbors'' affinity group. Other affinity
groups are lined up to keep the relay going including one called
IRS Punks (Incorrigible Recidivist Street Punks). The couple's
possessions have not been removed from the home and are being
guarded by the group now in occupation.
 
Support demonstrations have taken place in Washington, Boston, St.
Louis and Los Angeles.
 
The war tax protesters hope their action will encourage others to
resist ``governmental policies which squander our resources on
weapons and killing, neglecting the millions who have no homes, no
food or health care.''
 
A statement of support notes that ``federal tax dollars pay for
enormous human suffering'' and argues that ``for the survival of
human beings and this planet, it is imperative that we turn away
from war and killing, that our resources be used for schools,
decent jobs, affordable homes, and to clean up the air, water, and
land. Tax dollars must be used for healing, not killing...As one
element in the struggle to reset this nation's priorities, we
support Betsy Corner and Randy Kehler in their refusal to
surrender their home. We also support those planning nonviolent
civil disobedience as a sustained response to the federal
government's eviction.''
 
Randy Kehler is coordinator of the Working Group on Electoral
Democracy and a former director of the Nuclear Weapons Freeze
campaign. During the Vietnam War he was imprisoned for two years
for draft resistance. One of those influenced by Kehler's refusal
to take part in the war was Daniel Ellsberg who at the time was
struggling with the issue of whether or not to make public the
Pentagon Papers. (War Tax Resisters Support Committee, Traprock
Peace Center, Keets Rd., Deerfield MA 01342 USA; fax 413:
773-7507; tel 413: 774.2710 or 413: 773-7427)
 
** End of text from cdp:gn.peacemedia **
 
223.26a blow to the very foundation...LGP30::FLEISCHERwithout vision the people perish (381-0899 ZKO3-2/T63)Mon Jan 13 1992 11:3212
re Note 223.25 by JURAN::JURAN::VALENZA:

> [Peace Media Service] So large was the contingent that turned out
> December 3 to arrest pacifists Randy Kehler and Betsy Corner nine
> federal marshals, two state troopers, and both the local police
> chief and the county sheriff one would have thought the police
> were arresting two terrorists.
  
        To a government, refusal to pay taxes is the ultimate terror,
        far more than any bombing or sniper attack.

        Bob
223.27Item in the February 1992 "Friends Journal"CRBOSS::VALENZANotewhere man.Fri Jan 24 1992 23:3614
    The Peace Tax Fund Bill will be considered in hearing before the House
    Ways and Means Committee during spring 1992.  The hearing will be
    informational to determine th need for such legislation, not a
    preparation for floor action.  The need is assessed from the testimony
    of both individuals and religious bodies.  The hearing will support the
    bill by providing a permanent public record of co-sponssors, and by
    providing a record of congressional scrutiny.  The hearing will be
    brief, not lending itself to extended exchanges.  However, written
    testimony can be added and will become part of th official record. 
    Those who support the Peace Tax Fund Bill are urged to write their
    legislators.  More information about the hearing is available in a
    recent issue of the "National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund", which can
    be obtained from the Peace Tax Fund, 2121 Decatur Place, N.W.,
    Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202)483-3741.
223.28CSC32::J_CHRISTIEPeace: the Final FrontierMon Jan 27 1992 22:586
	"The prime and controlling motivation for military tax resistance
is the conscience-guided determination to refuse complicity with the evil
of the war system."

						- Wallace Collett
						  Quaker activist
223.29You're never too young to have a conscienceDEMING::VALENZANotewhere man.Mon Mar 02 1992 14:1345
    The following delightful article appeared in the March, 1992 issue of
    Friends Journal. 

        Joanna Toy, 11, lives in Concord, New Hampshire, and attends
        Concord Meeting.  At a holiday concert in her school, she refused
        to play the U.S. Navy fight song, considering it a war tune.  She
        sat through the piece with her violin on her lap and her arms
        folded.

        During the war, Joanna's grandmother, who is not a Friend, bought
        her a Desert Storm t-shirt.  The shirt had a picture of an eagle
        printed over the grotesque slogan, "America for Peace, Support
        Desert Storm."  Joanna accepted the gift, but covered the words
        Support Desert Storm with puff paint and drew a peace sign over it
        in pink.  She wore it to softball practices.  When Joanna's class
        wrote to a local soldier, Joanna sent notes saying, "Wish you were
        home," and added jokes to make him smile.  She helped assemble
        American Friends Service Committee hygiene kits for Arab refugees.

        Josh McQueen, 9, of South Bend, Indiana, belongs to South Bend
        meeting.  In his classroom, the teacher hung a portrait of Saddam
        Hussein with a bull's eye on it.  Josh and four like-minded boys
        decided to request that the teacher remove the poster.  When they
        approached him, the teacher immediately took down the picture and
        told them he was happy they had expressed their views.

        Ryon McQueen, 14, Josh's brother, received an F for an English
        assignment that required him to picture an Iraqi battlefield,
        complete with winning strategies.  His answer?  Negotiations.  Ryon
        also participated in a class debate about the war.  Out of 30
        students, he and one other young person were opposed.  One of
        Ryon's best friends asked him, should we have to pay such high
        prices for gas?  Ryon replied, what if it were brother who was
        killed to have lower gas prices?

        Manny Gouveia, 13, lives in Sorrento, Florida, and worships at
        Orlando meeting.  He refused to join his junior high school
        marching band, where he plays lead trumpet, in a Memorial Day
        victory parade.  He was the only band member to say no.  During the
        time the war was going on, Manny stood by himself on a street
        corner with a sign that said "Peace."  He got heckled and spat at.

        We must be doing something right to have raised these magnificent
        young Friends.  I would welcome further letters of support and will
        pass them on to these young people.
223.30working for peace builds characterLGP30::FLEISCHERwithout vision the people perish (381-0899 ZKO3-2/T63)Mon Mar 02 1992 15:477
re Note 223.29 by DEMING::VALENZA:

        Wow!  I'm impressed by the strength of character exhibited by
        these youngsters in the face of such numerically overwhelming
        opposition!

        Bob
223.31Follow up on 223.25CSC32::J_CHRISTIEPeace: the Final FrontierTue Mar 10 1992 23:5953
TAX RESISTER FREED, HOME SOLD; STRUGGLE CONTINUES

[Peace Media Service] Randy Kehler, jailed in December [see PM 30
and PM 31], was freed February 12 following the sale at auction
for $5400 of his house in Colrain, Massachusetts. Kehler and his
wife Betsy Corner refuse to pay federal taxes as a protest against
military spending. Supporters occupied the house while Kehler was
in jail. Even with the house sold, it continues to be occupied by
supporters of the evicted couple.

``In the wake of the recent IRS auction of our home,'' Kehler said
a letter to a local newspaper, ``some of our friends and neighbors
have wondered whether we are planning to continue our struggle to
keep our money and our home from being used to support activities
of the federal government that we consider unconscionable. The
answer is yes...

``Our insistence upon giving our federal tax money to war victims
and to the poor . . . is rooted in our belief that it is wrong to
kill and to make war and that there are other ways to resolve
conflicts. Believing war and killing to be wrong, we believe that
it is equally wrong for people to _pay_ for war and killing, wrong
for the government to _force_ people to pay for war and killing,
and also wrong for anyone to _assist_ the government in forcing
people to pay for war and killing.

``When a small number of people came forward to place bids on our
home, they were, in effect, assisting the government in its
efforts to force us to pay for war and killing. Threatening to
seize and auction off people's property is precisely the way the
government goes about coercing people to pay for things which, in
the case of the government's murderous military policies, they
might otherwise refuse to pay.

``Were we to walk away from our home now, just because these
bidders leapt at the government's bargain-basement offer, we would
be lending legitimacy to what we see as a morally illegitimate
process. We cannot do that.

``We bear no ill will whatsoever toward Dan Franklin or his
partner Terry Charnesky, and we sympathize with their desire to
find an affordable home for their family. It is a sad fact that
the _majority_ of young families in this country are unable to
afford their own homes. Why? Largely because we continue to
squander our resources on weapons and warfare, rather than use
them to meet real human needs such as affordable housing.

``Changing these distorted priorities will require that individual
citizens start saying `No' in the strongest possible way. It is in
this spirit that we refuse to cooperate with the government's
attempt to sell our home.'' [WTR Support Committee, Traprock Peace
Center, Keets Rd., Deerfield, MA 01342 USA; tel +1. 413: 774.2710
fax: 773.7507]
223.32DisciplineCSC32::J_CHRISTIEUnquenchable fireSat Feb 04 1995 17:547
	"It takes a fairly strenuous course of training to attain a mental
state of nonviolence.  It is a disciplined life, like the life of a soldier.
The perfect state is reached when the mind, body, and speech are in proper
coordination.  Every problem would lend itself to solution if we determined
to make the law of truth and nonviolence the law of life."

					-- Mohandas K. Gandhi