By American Citizens of Faith Calling for Responsible Stewardship of God’s Creation
BACKGROUND
The Declaration of Interdependence Project is a grass roots project that originated in Seattle, January 2003, among leaders from the Washington Association of Churches, Interfaith Ministry, and the Partnership for Religion and the Environment.
It had been and continues to be painful to witness that the operating mode of this Administration and the 107th and 108th Congress has been one of abandon disregard for the health of our environment and the well being of future generations . The stakes of our response are higher than ever before. The religious and ethical arguments for good stewardship have been articulated by every major denomination. Unfortunately, our public officials are not listening. We are presented with the news of some new egregious rule or policy, often euphemistically named such as "Healthy Forest Initiative" or "Clear Sky Initiative", and then the news continues to be dominated by other serious issues of the day. People may have a general idea that the Administration is falling short on environmental protections, but memory can be short while impacts are cumulative and devastating.
The project is being coordinated by two volunteers - Barak Gale and Susan Bower.
Barak is an optometrist in Seattle. He is a long time volunteer with the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life. He serves on the Steering Committee of the Religious Campaign for Forest Conservation, and as Social Action Chair of Congregation Etz Or. Two favorite past times of his are hiking and chanting Torah.
Susan is a Christian environmental and peace activist from Hayfork,
California. Susan worships with the Trinity Bible Fellowship and
works with several Christian creation-care organizations. She
relates that one of the ways Christians show their love for God is by caring
for what He made.
ABOUT THE DECLARATION
The Declaration of Interdependence is modeled on the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration asks about the rights to life, liberty and happiness, among the growing multitudes of people who are and will become afflicted by environmental degradation. It declares that such rights depend on a life sustaining, healthy world
. The Declaration speaks of truths, spoken by our founding fathers, that we and our leaders need to hear again and again. The Declaration provides an abridged list of Administration and Congressional actions against creation for 2002. It holds hope for an America that can be different. It demands accountability. It offers a prayer for "moral courage and spiritual audacity".HOW TO USE THE DECLARATION
Please help create awareness of the ongoing stealth assault on creation by circulating the Declaration among friends, fellow congregants, and clergy, including those who would enthusiastically sign on and also those who should be informed and may not be comfortable signing on. Consider posting the Declaration in visible places such as congregational bulletin boards and newsletters, and to circulate it among friends and colleagues. Consider an article discussing these issues in your newsletter or mainstream paper. Please let our Coordinator know of any publication. We encourage clergy to speak about these issues from the pulpit and at appropriate religious events and gatherings.
Take a look at the "Print" option on the menu panel for three items that can help get the message out. These include attractive cards, a watercolor illustrated version of the Declaration, and a text version of the Declaration.
Thank you and God bless you!