Having done representational work at the UN on this and other subjects, I can say that this is by far the best way to create interest in our values and principles. People want to know WHY we support religious freedom and human rights, WHY we care about challenging intolerance and persecution.

And yet all too often both leaders and members questioned our presence there. In many ways we haven't grown up enough to recognize we have significant part to play on the world stage. My experience was major frustration--because all-to-often we don't really put into practice our wonderful truths, and so people question our commitment.

I remember speaking to the whole of the Human Rights Commission condemning the use of the death penalty for conversion, and having the most amazing response from other interested parties, including ambassadors. That's when I saw how much of a difference we could make.

But mostly its still at the stage of "potential"...

Best,

Jonathan

Thanks Jonathan.

I was just at a meeting with Jane Olson, the head of Human Rights Watch. She related a sad story about meeting with some member state representatives on the key concept of the responsibility to protect, but she was discouraged that their eyes kind of glazed over.

With our global mission mindset and whole-person theology, the world body in session really does need all the help, from Adventists, that it can get. Thanks for your service there.

Alexander, now you are sounding like Barack Obama. Would you attempt to evangelize in countries on the "Terror Watch List" with the logic put forward above. It's been nice knowing you and Ryan as you approach those radical Islamics.

Idealism is great until the reality of protection gets in the way. Even when Christ was going to be thrown over a clift, he used his divine powers to escape, because His time had not come. Pacificism is not what is preached or urged to be taught by the Bible.

There is such a thing as a "just war". You wouldn't understand until you have the muzzle of a gun at your nose. I agree that we should try to understand what about us provokes other cultures that would do us harm, but don't let them do the harm by being ready for what they have proven are their intentions in the past.

Yes, Alexander--an all-too-familiar experience for me too! I have spent an inordinate amount of time with the leadership of various countries as well as the church in trying to convince people of the vital importance of human rights. States parties are notoriously self-serving, so you have to appeal to more than intrinsic worth of values and principles. Even the church...!

But I am pleased for the many I was able to influence, speaking of the God of freedom as the reason for our interest in religious freedom; the nature and character of the One who has such a vital interest in this planet yet who gives us the opportunity to chose or reject etc. And almost without exception, I found willing listeners who did want to know. (Even if they might have commented occasionally to others, "Don't really know what these Adventists believe, but they sure do work for human rights"!)

I once asked a friend who knew us a little what he thought Adventists stood for. After a moments reflection he replied, "Decaf and soy burgers." I really wish he'd said something like "Freedom and hope." We have a long way to go in really sharing the truth about God to all the world, including the representatives at the UN.

And just for the record, I am no longer your rep there, as of last week...

Best wishes,

Jonathan

Jonathan, I brought up on another thread when Homosexual marriages were allowed in Massacheutts, that no Religious Liberty was given to the RCC and their adoption program when they had religious convictions about placing in Homosexual homes. This does not bode well for SDAs when they want exemptions or concessions on worship day when and if that issue is legislated. Jonathan and Alexander, you both deserve what may be coming.

I already spend too much time on the Internet, and now you're going to get me addicted to ReligiousLiberty.TV. Good to see that Adventists are finally waking up to the fact that there is a rest-of-the-world.

RDS:

The reality is that in this life we don't get what we deserve--or what other people THINK we deserve :-)

In fact, that's one primary lesson in this whole experience we call the Great Controversy...

Jonathan

Alex,

Agree, "Jesus taught that peace would finally come when righteousness, or justice, was the order of the day."

It just isn't in the present age.You see there is sin and a foe called the devil and our on sinfulness. Their may be moments of relative order in this world...We may say, Peace,Peace but their is no Peace. It occurs at His second coming and Rev.19.

Regards,

pat

PS. Good picture...handsome fellow