The Stony Point Declaration

Ra Energy Fdn.
Raleigh Myers
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Blog
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snip: http://raenergy.igc.org/AbrahamIsaac.html  a four millennia celebration of the descendants of Father Abraham.

We as the inhabitants of this planet have much in common in prophesy in prayer and hopes with a destiny of outreach paralleling the celebrated thoughts of President Kennedy at the Berlin wall: All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin, and, therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words "Ich bin ein Berliner."
        WE of the Abrahamic faiths are the extended family of Abraham who was chosen to teach. We are all Cannanites with a lineage of thousands of years of hope and prayer compiled into a knowledge base, in essence the history of out reach, with an ancestral name on it. Morphing all this into the ending scene: Nobody wrote a better depiction of humanity's agenda than Woodie Guthrie " This world is digging Slavery's grave and when this work is done that will be the biggest thing that man has ever done". When we finish this last scene it will be a rap and we can now live to BE

The next step is all the people on earth We are only one people one and the same
http://raenergy.igc.org/onepeople.html

The Jewish THE SHALOM REPORT is taking out an add to announce their interest in conflict resolution based on fairness.
http://raenergy.blogspot.com/2004/10/prophetic-voice-in-jewish.html

The Presbyterians now become active

Stony Point Declaration
September 29, 2004

"Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.  We have renounced the shameful things that one hides: we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God's word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God." -- 2 Corinthians 4.1-2.

We, the signers of this declaration, have gathered for a national conference at Stony Point Center, Stony Point, NY.  We are Presbyterians seeking "Peacemaking in a time of Terror, Violence and War": a time of threat to the very survival and goodness of life.

We gather at a time of a presidential election, a time when our denomination faces criticisms for statements and actions, a time of national numbness, a time of fear and of misguided policy and action.

We gather as a people of faith, love and hope; with memories rich in examples, past and present, of those who have fought the fight, finished the race and kept the faith.

We gather in this moment of unique opportunity to listen; to speak to the world and the church; to prepare to resist the next war and to 'do church.'

And, now, with one accord we share the following concerns:

1.  That as followers of Jesus Christ we are to attend to a new and urgent call to peacemaking.

"When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.  Then he said to them, Nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven." -- Luke 21.9-11.

We hear the long silenced cries of people, who long for peace: children whose bellies are swollen from hunger and malnutrition; women who are systematically raped as an instrument of war; men tortured and killed merely because of their faith.  Meanwhile, the world watches sleepily, doing nothing.

2.  That the language of faith has been hijacked and misused to justify the policies of the powerful.

"Do not trust these deceptive words: 'This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord.'  For if you truly amend your ways and your doings, if you truly act justly with one another, if you do not oppress the alien, the orphan, and the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not go after other gods to your own hurt, then I will dwell with you in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your ancestors." -- Jeremiah 7.3-7

The language of faith is co-opted by the powerful to legitimate their policies and action, thereby, perverting the message of the gospel.  Other gods include war and the market.  The media is largely ignorant or complicit in this process, or used deliberately as a form of propaganda. 

3.  That we are called to discern the signs of the times and are led to redefine our social context.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have everlasting lifeÂ?.  And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil." -- John 3.16, 19.

This requires us to face the truth that our nation, the United State of America, pursues global empire, backed by unprecedented military supremacy.  Its un-qualified commitment to economic growth through a global, capitalist economic system has not served God's purposes of justice, peace, community, and the integrity of creation, but has enriched the corporate ruling class at the expense of the earth and the poor.  It has generated monstrous inequality and massive suffering.  It has seduced many, including many of us, into a lifestyle of excessive consumption, which destroys earth's capacity to sustain life and fails to provide the abundance that Jesus came to give.  It also reflects threads of imperialism and colonization that has affected so many indigenous people throughout the earth.

4.  That we acknowledge our complicity.

"I implore you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God - what is good and acceptable and perfect." -- Romans 12.1-2

As beneficiaries of a world system of domination, we are often complacent about seeking to change our individual and corporate lifestyles.

Confessing our complicity, accepting our responsibility, we are called to be Christ's agents for peace.  We, therefore, joining together in the light of God's abundant grace, and responding to God's call resolve through the following actions to:

1.  Address economic injustice

"The word of the Lord came to me:  Mortal, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel: prophesy, and say to them -- to the shepherds:  Thus says the Lord: Ah you shepherds of Israel have been feeding yourselves!  Should not shepherds feed the sheep?  Thus says the Lord, I am against the shepherds; and I will demand my sheep at their hand, and put a stop to their feeding the sheep; no longer shall the shepherds feed themselves.  I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, so that they may not be food for them." -- Ezekiel 34.1-2, 10

In solidarity with the poor here and around the world, we will seek:

1. a living wage for all

2. the rescinding of recent tax cuts in order to provide for those below the poverty income

3. the cancellation of debt owed by poorer nations

4. the restructuring of the policies and practices of international economic and trade institutions

5. the adoption of simpler lifestyles to reduce consumption and reallocate resources

2.  Accompany the persecuted

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." -- Matthew 5.10

"Let mutual love continue.  Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.  Remember those in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured." -- Hebrews 13.1-3

From Abu Ghraib, to Palestine, to the borders of the United States, we identify with those subject to abuse by state power.  We will support creative ways both to shelter the persecuted and to thwart the abusers.

We uphold the actions of the recent General Assembly on select divestment from multinational corporations that do business in Israel; on opposition to the Separation Barrier (commonly referred to as 'The Wall'); and the Occupation of Iraq.  We will stand with Colombian Presbyterians who receive death threats.

3.  Engage in grass roots non-violent direct action

"But Peter said, 'I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.'"  "So they call them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.  But Peter and John answered them, 'Whether it is right in God's sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.'" -- Acts 3.6, 4.18-20

A new generation of peacemakers may contend with a re-institution of the draft.  We will nurture and support this generation.  We will establish creative relationships with the media and develop new forms of witness.  This statement may be the basis for future colloquia.

We encourage and urge Presbyterians, other peoples of faith and civil society to follow these and other similar declarations for action.

Signed at Stony Point Center on September 29, 2004.

Linda Babcock
Lois Baker
Douglas E. Bartlett [Friend]
Peter Boeve
Leonard B. Bjorkman
Melita Chiappolini
Wonjae Choi
Terry Davis
Dorothy J. Doherty
Carol W. Drew
Nancy Fayer
Barbara F. Flythe
Leah Fink
Doug Garnar
Judy Garnar
William E. Gibson
Anne R. Hagler
Leah H. Johnson
Don Maclay
Nancy Maclay
H. Donald Mairs
Melissa W. Matheson
Mary E. Martin
David P. Moore
George Portice
David Roberson
Charles Ryu
Cass L. Shaw
Jo Ann Vredenburg
Suzanne Williams
John Wilmerding (Friend)
Lois Wilson

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CERJ@igc.org            wilmerding@earthlink.net
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John Wilmerding, Convener and List Manager
Coalition for Equity-Restorative Justice (CERJ)
217 High Street, Brattleboro, VT, USA
ZIP: 05301-6073         Phone: 1-802-254-2826
CERJ was founded in New York in May, 1997.

SING THE VOTE
http://atomfilms.shockwave.com/contentPlay/shockwave.jsp?id=this_land&preplay=1&ratingBar=off
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE in song is the first step to a fascism free planet
"THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND, THIS LAND IS MY LAND, THIS LAND IS MADE FOR YOU AND ME"

IMAGINE: WE are children of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; WE ALL have a right to be here

START SINGING THE PLANET'S ANTHEM AT ALL EVENTS TO SHOW HOW "WE" HAVE ALREADY VOTED.
This would get some air time if we did it at GOP campaign events even in congress this Summer and fall and beyond after all it is the anthem of the Age of Aquarius no. We suggested that "THIS LAND" be the Global Village Planetary anthem at Woodies celebration in San Francisco at the Geary Theater in 1967. It was seconded by three ambassadors and has become the second third fourth etc. anthems to many countries.

FOLKSAY(people say) ............ has become Our defacto Global Village Planetary anthem and in essence we voted for citizen empowerment as we sung it. Now let's get it officially on record by singing it everywhere as direct democracy.
        THE DAWNING OF THE AGE OF AQUARIUS is the reality at hand! The children of the universe, the right to be here generation _ the meek taking their prophetic inheritance out of probate is not a conspiracy.

Ra Energy Fdn.
Raleigh Myers
http://raenergy.igc.org/raenergy.html

Worksheet bio
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