16 Search Results for "justice"

• Stirring Stirring

  • From: HemmedIn
  • Description:

    There was a period of time prior to the full force of the Iranian Revolution in 1979 when things began to stir up. I would often beg my parents to let me go for a sleep over to my Grandmother’s house. Because of the unrest, a curfew was put in place all over Tehran. My parents would oblige, but then I grew so homesick that I would be driven home quickly before it was too late. And as reports of tanks and military patrolling the streets flood twitter today, these vivid memories come to mind again. My mom would sweetly tell me to smile and wave at the army men, in the same light and un-alarming tone I encourage my children to greet Firemen.
    
    That stirring began as protests, turned into riots and eventually a full force revolution that changed the face of a nation and its course in history.
    
    Today in Iran a new stirring has begun. Yet since the military, police and revolutionary guards are lurking the streets, it appears that fear may be creeping in as weariness and fatigue take their place.
    
    Disappointment, death and grief each on their own is enough to bring a person to despair. However our friends in Iran are experiencing all of this at once. Think about how breathless you are when you see footage of Neda dying on the street. The despair you would feel had you known you too were there, just a few steps away. Imagine the rage that would rise up if you couldn’t properly mourn for loved ones.
    
    Yet they still sit on roof tops each night chanting, “God is great” over and over again. God is great. God is great. God is great.
    
    It makes me wonder, what would cause me to sit on top of my house, calling out the greatness of God all night long?
    
    If you stop and ponder that for a few moments… the reality of the longing that is stirring up inside the soul of every person breathing those words just may set in.
    
    The strategies of revolutionary wars and international relations have changed since 1979. The message we send to the people of Iran when they hear us speaking up for them, when they realize our eyes are on them, and when they hear we are praying for them…this is fuel for the fire.
    
    The world is watching and when we hear words of despair, fear, increase in tension and increase in force, we should pray for the hope of the LORD to fill Iran. Pray for strength for the weary. Pray they would walk and not grow faint. Pray for courage to fight the good fight. Pray the destruction would cease, the oppressor be cast out and those who trample on undeserving people would be taken from the land.
    
    Then continue to pray and make way for the LORD.
    
    
    
    
    "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
    
    “Let the outcasts of Moab sojourn among you; be a shelter to them from the destroyer. When the oppressor is no more, and destruction has ceased, and he who tramples underfoot has vanished from the land, then a throne will be established in steadfast love, and on it will sit in faithfulness in the tent of David one who judges and seeks justice and is swift to do righteousness."

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  • 1 year ago
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• Blessed are the Peacemakers Blessed are the Peacemakers

  • From: HemmedIn
  • Description:

    1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying:
    3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
    4Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
    5Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
    6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
    7Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
    8Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
    9Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called sons of God.
    10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
    11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
    
    
    As a child of the 1979 revolution, all the scenes and images of what has been reported from Iran are eerily familiar. I am now a Iranian-American and completely immersed in my new culture here. But one never forgets where they came from.
    
    My perspective over the last 30 years is that most of the people born after the revolution have been raised or have become products of their environment and have generally been politically apathetic. Forgive me if I'm wrong here. But it seems that the general lack of morale, discouragement from their leadership, fear of getting in trouble have left people wanting to keep a generally low profile, living their lives to the best of their ability and staying out of the ways of trouble.
    
    President Obama is receiving a fair share of criticism for his hesitation to get involved in the situation. While the U.S. is known for coming to the rescue or meddling as some people put it, there may come a time for overt action. However, I think there is something to be said about waiting and allowing the Iranian people continue to rise up and find their voices that have been supressed for so many years. Two-thirds of the nation are under the age of 35. I am 35 and just begining to feel like I'm getting some gumption to do what God is calling me to do... I wonder for them, how long these feelings of oppression and captivity have been festering in the Iranian people and finally reaching a point of explosion.
    
    It's good to let them find their voice, THEY need to experience their own courage and recognize that what they want is GOOD.
    
    I also love how the U.S. is getting involved in less overt ways. That computer techs are helping Iranians get access to internet to let us know the cries of their hearts. I love even up until this year, when you heard the name Iran, it was associated with "axis of evil," "nuclear threat," etc. But today, the world is rallying around the people of Iran which is truly Iran. There is solidarity, compassion, support and love for people. We are seeing that the very things that we often take for granted like liberty, freedom, justice, our voices, our dreams and the realization of our visions are things worthy of fighting for.
    
    Pray for Iranians to continue to find their voices and let their voices be heard, pray for courage, boldness, protection for the innocent, justice for the oppressors. Pray for salt and light to show themselves in that part of earth so Light will shine. Pray for our President Obama, for him to have wisdom, courage, boldness, mercy when its required and heart that breaks for the things that break the heart of God.
    
    Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

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  • 1 year ago
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• Bless the Hands that Prepare O Bless the Hands that Prepare Our Food!

  • From: agapejustice
  • Description:

    This blog was first posted on Sojourners God's Politics Blog. For more information please visit Justice at Smithfield-http://www.smithfieldjustice.com/

    During the BBQ Season of summer I attended the DC campaign kick-off for the Justice at Smithfield Campaign. "Smithfield Foods is the largest pork processor and producer in the world, the fourth largest turkey processor and fifth largest beef processor in the U.S." In the early 1990's Smithfield opened its Tar Heel, North Carolina plant, with 5,500 workers who slaughter and process 32,000 hogs per day. The Tar Heel plant is not unionized and overall only about 56% of Smithfield pork processing plant employees are unionized.

    Though raised in Brooklyn, NY, my family hails from North Carolina which makes this campaign of personal importance to me. At the campaign kick-off two young women testified about mistreatment at the Tar Heel plant. A 22 year-old woman spoke of developing such a serious case of carpal tunnel syndrome that she can no longer lift more than 15 pounds. The testimony of this woman had a profound effect on me because I saw myself in her face. At 22 years-old I was a recent college graduate excitedly planning my future. I did not have to worry about an injury that could leave me disabled for life. If my grandparents remained in North Carolina instead of migrating to Brooklyn, NY, I could have easily been one of the Smithfield workers. What separates me from the workers at Smithfield?

    Some of the tasks at the Tar Heel plant include cutting the skin off of frozen meat as it comes down the line, a task that is especially difficult when having to work at breakneck speeds. As stated in the Human Rights Watch report: Blood Sweat and Fear: Workers' Rights in U.S. Meat and Poultry Plants:

    Many workers have painful reactions to conditions, but they do not act for fear of losing their jobs. In this report one employee is quoted as saying 'I am sick at work with a cold and breathing problems and my arms are always sore. But I am afraid to say anything about this because I am afraid they will fire me.'

    Workers have also spoken of sexual harassment and racism. How can working conditions like this exist in our modern society? What is the role of race, class and economics in the Smithfield worker struggle?

    As I reflect on the Justice at Smithfield campaign I am reminded of a common request made during the blessing of a meal--"may God bless the hands of those who have prepared our food." As we continue this season of BBQ's let us remember the workers of Smithfield when we bless our meals by asking God to bless their hands and their struggle.

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  • 1 year ago
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• Christian and Democrat: Can Yo Christian and Democrat: Can You Be Both?

  • From: agapejustice
  • Description:

      For many Christians the 2008 Presidential Election was the first time they voted for a Democrat. Recently I heard a NYC pastor discuss the belief he held that to be Christian meant you were Republican, but while attending The Sojourners Mobilization to End Poverty  in Washington, D.C. (a non-partisan gathering of 1,000+ Christians from around the country who came together because their faith inspired them to fight against poverty) he realized that a Christian did not have to be Republican and he resigned from the party. With a focus on abortion and marriage (two very important issues) many Christians are bound to the Republican Party and do not question this allegiance. This summer Christian author, inner-city minister and activist Shane Claiborne admonished Christians to “pledge allegiance to the Lamb” instead of either political party on his Jesus for President nationwide tour. As Christians I think we should align ourselves with politicians and policies that most reflect the message of Jesus Christ who proclaimed in Luke 4:18: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me, to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind and to release the oppressed…”

    Worship at The Mobilization to End Poverty
    

      I am currently a fellow for Faithful Democrats  an online community of Christians who are members of the Democratic Party. I know some might find this sacrilegious but there have always been dedicated followers of Christ who we also Democrats. As an African-American Christian my community of faith has overwhelmingly been members of the Democratic Party because Republican policies do not speak to the needs of our community, yet African-Americans are also overwhelmingly pro-life. You may ask yourself how this paring can exist, well for me to be pro-life means I support life from the cradle to the grave. I work towards ending poverty because I know many poor women are pushed into abortions for economic reasons. I do not support the death penalty or war. I think it is interesting that Christians can advocate for children while they are in the womb but once children are born we do not advocate for them to have equal educational opportunities, or a life free from hunger, sickness and disease. Mother Theresa once said “I am so pro-life that if a woman does not want her child she can leave the child with me”; hence so many Children were given to her that she received the name “Mother Theresa”. She is an example of not just holding onto arbitrary pro-life or pro-family values but actually living them out in practical ways.

    Christians Lobbying in D.C.-Holding their elected officials accountable.

    

     I am critical of both major parties and personally want to see our country move past the two party system that dominates because more choices will ensure that we have a true democracy. At the end of the day if a candidate is dedicated to those who Jesus calls “the least of these”, than that person will get my vote whether they are a member of the: Democratic, Republican, Green or Independence Party. As Christians we cannot let our dedication to a political party, or even the American flag surpass our dedication to the Gospel of Christ. Our true citizenship is in the Kingdom which includes: Black, White, slave, free, male, female, rich, poor, American, Mexican, undocumented, citizen and anyone else who is born-again.  I think Lisa Sharon Harper author and co-founder of NY Faith & Justice put it best when she stated: "Evangelical Doesn't Equal Republican or Democrat”. 
    

    A Book to read:
    I would encourage all of you to read Matthew 25, review the platforms of the different political parties, and then prayerfully ask God who you should align yourself with, the answer may surprise you.

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  • 1 year ago
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• agapejustice

  • Views: 98
  • Since: 1 year ago

• Kristin Jean

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• Human Trafficking Human Trafficking

  • From: kate cremisino
  • Description:

    The truth is starting to peak out from under the covers. As patrons flocked to theatres last fall, rock stars used their celebrity status for good, and the truth is spilling into the streets. The recent documentary, Call + Response, exposes the dirty laundry of the world: Slavery still exists, and it’s ugly.

     

    In an article by Kathryn Hawkins it was reported that, “In India, children as young as five are forced to spend their days from 5 AM until midnight weaving carpets by hand, with no access to the outside world. In Sudan, more than 11,000 people have been abducted since 1983; most of them are now enslaved by Northern Arabic militia groups. More than 35,000 young girls—and sometimes boys—are forced into prostitution in Thailand, where they often become infected with the HIV virus, and die within just a few years. And even the United States isn’t innocent: a recent report estimates that around 10,000 people have been illegally smuggled into the U.S. to work as slaves.”

     

    What some undercover agents, social workers, International Justice Mission staff, and missionaries have known for ages, has now reached the tipping point and brought awareness to the common citizen. Something like 27 million slaves exist in the world today. Some of it’s forced labor, some of its forced prostitution, and much of it falls under the umbrella of  human trafficking- taking one against their will and trafficking them like common goods, all for a little something we call a quick buck.

     

    Little girls in hidden brothels become nothing more than a number as local men and foreigners take their pick. Love146.org reports that, “Often, captors will threaten, beat and starve new recruits to condition them for the fate that awaits: sex with multiple customers every day. Eventually this abuse ‘breaks’ the children. They learn to force a smile for the pedophiles, sex tourists and others that frequent their establishments.” Who could possibly be responsible for putting innocent kids in this situation? It’s a tricky issue. Poverty and a need to survive place families in a tempting situation: Shelter and food in return for selling themselves and their children in work. And the cycle continues as little girls grow up without knowing any differently, and poverty hasn’t left them. The unfathomable becomes acceptable. There is also the kidnapping avenue, where children or adults are promised jobs in neighboring countries, only to discover their papers are taken and they find themselves trapped in a commonly inescapable position.

     

    I can remember walking through Thailand with my family after a meal out in town. We were vacationing, and I was 12. A man lingering on the side of a building called out to my dad as we walked by, “I like your daughter.” I didn’t really understand what that meant. I thought maybe he a brazen local who was just complimenting me. Dad kept us walking on by. I didn’t know then the suggestive darkness that lay behind that comment.

     

    Then there is forced labor. Meet Iqbal Masih, a boy who, at the age of four, was sold into bonded labor at a carpet factory in Pakistan. Kathryn Hawkins writes, “For six years, he was forced to work 12-hour days in a dark room, tied in place to the carpet loom he worked on. He was never permitted to go outside, and was fed so little that he looked like a boy half his age.” At some point, he ran away to hear a speech by the Bonded Labor Liberation Front, when he decided to take a risk. He did not return to his job and became an activist instead. But his story didn’t have a happy ending. He was tragically killed at the age of 12. Why? It is believed the “Carpet Mafia” was behind the murder plot in order to keep knowledge of the whole industry to a mum. Read more here. http://www.razoo.com/articles/Five_Former_Slaves

     

    Become a modern-day abolitionist

    I recently attended a Human Trafficking Awareness Conference in Denver. The message: You can get involved and be a part of the solution. So the typical question is raised, “This is a huge problem! What can I possibly do to help?” The first simple answer is awareness. Spread the word. Movements start when the voice of the people is raised. Research and share what you find out with your community, your church, your workplace. So then what?

     

    A few weeks ago my house church gathered to discuss this issue. Someone asked the question, “What can we do?” Our guest speaker, Greg Althoff, who went to Cambodia to work on a documentary, answered it best, “I know it seems overwhelming, but hey, we can each use what we are good at to be a small part of the large, complex solution. I am good at art and web design, so something I want to do is make a networking site for people working on this issue,” (my paraphrase). A light bulb went on. We each can contribute something. It is easy to get overwhelmed at enormous problems, especially when they feel far from home, but in reality, each small effort we make combines to make a huge global impact.

     

    Ross Kauffman and Zana Briski did their part, winning an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, Born into Brothels. This eye-opening film follows Briski around the red light district of Calcutta, as she teaches a group of brothel-born children the art of photography. The film allows us to see the dark corners of their dank and volatile life, while showing us the glimmering spirit of childhood that peeks through.

     

    Two friends of mine are currently doing their small part for change-participating in an intensive bike ride through Cambodia to raise funds for the Futures ’09 Project for the Somaly Mam Foundation. This is a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting the sex-trafficking industry- all started by Somaly, a formerly trafficked woman herself who now helps rescue, house and educate former sex-workers. Somaly published a book and has recently gained world-wide recognition for her efforts.

     

    Can’t travel that far? A friend of mine, Jesse Marble, along with friends began BuyWell Fair Trade Coffee. Some local women here threw together a Human Trafficking Awareness Conference. My friends Matt and Molly stopped shopping at stores that support sweat-shop labor. Some of my house church family posted a helpline phone number around downtown for trafficked prostitutes to call.

     

    There are millions of stories, millions of tears, millions of people awaiting rescue. With our help happy endings are beginning to pop up all over the place. Be a part of the rescue and recovery plan. Pay attention to the clothes, sugar and coffee you buy. Know where your shoes are made. Buy fair-trade goods. Be aware of the people around you. Blog about the issue. Raise funds. Host movie nights for documentary viewings. Volunteer. Pray. Go give your life away to save the lives of others. As Shane Claiborne says, be a part of the solution you are crying out for. There is no time like now.

     

     

     

    More Resources:

    Polaris Project- http://www.polarisproject.org/

    International Justice Mission- http://ijm.org

    Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking- http://www.castla.org

    Shared Hope International- http://www.sharehope.org

    Somaly Mam Foundation- http://www.somaly.org

    US Association of International Migration- http://www.usaformigrants.org

     

    Buying Guide

    http://store.madebysurvivors.com/ Goods Made by Survivors of Human Trafficking

    http://www.globalexchange.org/index.html Global Exchange Fair Trade

    http://www.fairtradefederation.org  Fair Trade Federation

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  • 1 year ago
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• ukgirl2988

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  • Since: 1 year ago

• XEP

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• kodesigns

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  • Since: 2 years ago

• Giving ideas! Giving ideas!

  • From: kzhines
  • Description:

    I love the "simple Christmas" concept that a few churches have picked up this year: encouraging members to do just what you did and give to causes rather than buy gifts.

    If you're stumped on where your money should go, check out www.onemillioncan.com!

  • 2 years ago
  • Views: 42
  • Forum: Social Just...

• annamariehope

  • Views: 145
  • Since: 2 years ago

• jsuteacher

  • Views: 32
  • Since: 2 years ago

• Re: Advent Conspiracy Re: Advent Conspiracy

  • From: Ashley Emert
  • Description:

    I was just about to post something very similar to this, asking for suggestions about organizations I should tell my friends and family to donate to rather than giving me gifts I don't need.

    I'll definitely look into Advent Conspiracy now. Thank you for posting this!

  • 2 years ago
  • Views: 3
  • Forum: Social Just...

• Advent Conspiracy Advent Conspiracy

  • From: jonnieepic
  • Description:

    www.adventconspiracy.org

    I've been involved with Advent Conspiracy for a few years now.  We seek to substituted compassion for consumption.  For me, that has meant different things.  The first Advent, I gave half my Christmas gifts budget to Living Water International (http://water.cc), a group that provides clean drinking water to developing nations.  Last year for Advent, I gave almost exclusively fair trade gifts (most from www.tenthousandvillages.com) and a small amount to

  • 2 years ago
  • Views: 616
  • Forum: Social Just...