 February 2003
American Friends Service Committee Peacework Magazine Patrica Watson, Editor Sara Burke, Assistant Editor Pat Farren, Founding Editor 2161 Massachusetts Ave. Telephone number: Fax number:
pwork@igc.org Peacework has been published monthly since 1972, intended to serve as a source of dependable information to those who strive for peace and justice and are committed to furthering the nonviolent social change necessary to achieve them. Rooted in Quaker values and informed by AFSC experience and initiatives, Peacework offers a forum for organizers, fostering coalition-building and teaching the methods and strategies that work in the global and local community. Peacework seeks to serve as an incubator for social transformation, introducing a younger generation to a deeper analysis of problems and issues, reminding and re-inspiring long-term activists, encouraging the generations to listen to each other, and creating space for the voices of the disenfranchised. Views expressed are those of the authors, not necessarily of the AFSC. |
A Concern about Sexual and Gender Identity Excerpted from a statement by the American Friends Service Committee Board of Directors. Reprinted from Faultlines, an AFSC newsletter linking lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender liberation to broader movements for peace, demilitarization, human rights, and social and economic justice. For more information or the full text of the statement, contact AFSC's Community Relations Unit, AFSC, 1501 Cherry St., Philadelphia PA 19102; 215/241-7000; www.afsc.org The judgmental, prescriptive sexual ethic many of us were taught to associate with Christianity is contrary to our experience of God's universal love.
We believe that human sexual diversity is a gift from God to be celebrated. We believe that exploring our spirituality demands an exploration of our sexuality unconstrained by bigotry and hate. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness. There is no law against such things." (Gal 5:22-23). Therefore, we call on Friends and members of the AFSC organization to speak out against any attack on the civil and human rights of persons because of their sexuality or gender identity. We particularly deplore any attack on the civil rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons couched in religious terms or attributed to scriptures. We believe that violence in deed or in word against anyone violates "that of God" in every person. We work to create a climate in the United States and in the world in which such acts and words of hate will be recognized as violence and will not be tolerated.
No one cultural/spiritual understanding
of sexuality can accurately speak for all. No single faith tradition
has the one "true" morality. Indeed, we believe that
faith calls us to love each other, unconstrained by traditions
that condemn difference. As people of faith, we believe that all
of us are called to learn and practice a new Way. We are called
to action, not silence. Our words and actions declare this new
learning to each other--that love has come to replace fear.
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