Stony
Point Declaration
[10-6-04,
updated on 10-14-04]]
Click here for comments on this Declaration.
October 5, 2004
Dear Reader:
Participants at the gathering for the Colloquium:
'Peacemaking in Time of Terror, Violence, and War,' adopted the Stony Point
Declaration. The Colloquium was held at the Presbyterian Church (USA)
national conference center, Stony Point Center, Stony Point, New York from
September 27-29, 2004.
The Declaration is the response to three calls: the call
to speak, the call to prepare and the call to 'do church.' The Declaration
emerged through a process whereby, on three public occasions, Colloquium
participants contributed and critiqued the final document. Throughout the
process individuals provided additional comments and suggestions.
The Declaration couples biblical verses with our social
context. Together the Declaration presents a biblical and theological vision
of our particular space, time and matter and it is grounded upon materials
adopted the General Assemblies of the PCUSA.
The Stony Point Declaration was adopted by the
participants on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 and signed by participants
present. Additional participants have since signed on.
We invite additional signers to respond by email to
dmoore6@nycap.rr.com and to send
your signature to Stony Point Center, Attn: Charles Ryu, 17 Crickettown
Road, New York 10980-3299.
With Gratitude,
David P. Moore
Stony Point Declaration Facilitator
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. 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
life…. 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 continues to pursue a policy that reflects the
threads of imperialism that has affected so many indigenous people
throughout the world.
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." (Rms. 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:
- a living wage for all
- the rescinding of recent tax cuts in order to provide
for those below the poverty income
- the cancellation of debt owed by poorer nations
- the restructuring of the policies and practices of
international economic and trade institutions
- 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 called 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.
