'Tis the season, bells are ringing and people singing all over the world. But, we all know that there have been fewer people singing in the last couple of years. The economy has hit hard. As of this writing, national unemployment stands at 10.2% and is projected to rise further before it gets better. We have all been tightening our belts.
But, as Christians, we acknowledge a duty to our neighbors. And, we acknowledge that 'neighbors' may live next door or 6000 miles away. Most of us have the luxury of admitting that many have it worse than we do. Possibly no one here knows anyone in the 'hot spots' of Sudan, the Central Africa Republic, the Congo, or earthquake-torn Indonesia. But some of us have relatives or friends in Iraq and Afghanistan, who report home about the living conditions they witness.
Do you remember when a representative from Food for the Poor came, a few years ago? I don't remember his name, but I do remember one thing he said: that people's hearts are more touched by natural than by man-made disaster. Somehow, probably subconsciously, many feel that war, poverty, disease and starvation are self-inflicted and less deserving. Tsunamis and earthquakes, floods and droughts, tornadoes and hurricanes and monsoons are somehow more sympathetic misfortunes. Ever since, I have tried to be aware of this potential prejudice in myself. This idea may have been largely influential in my becoming involved in the work of Amnesty International.
If less help comes from outside when a country is perceived to have generated its own problems, then how much more courageous must the person be, who stands up to change that country from within? When that person is arrested for speaking out, tortured and given no trial, who can object in his name? The candle flame symbol of Amnesty International represents the organization's commitment to bringing light to the dark places. Its activists uncover injustice and proclaim it for the world to condemn it. Many times, Evil can be frightened into submission by the mere act of discovery. Amnesty exploits that weakness to the benefit of Heaven and Earth.
Every year, Amnesty sponsors a global Write-a-thon in honor of December 10, International Human Rights Day. Ten persecuted fighters for freedom and justice across the world are selected as having been most foully repressed. All that is requested is your concern, a small amount of your time to read about any of these cases, and a few moments to write a letter expressing your opinion. These letters are sent to the offending governments. Again, sometimes all that is needed is an international outcry to embarrass these governments into releasing prisoners of conscience. This year, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar tops the list. Also wrongfully treated are a novelist in Egypt, a journalist in China, a women's rights activist in Nepal, a Guantánamo prisoner still being held after being cleared for release two years ago. There are more.
Write a letter or two in Meeker Hall on Sunday, December 13. It need not be more than a couple of sentences. The case sheets will be there for you to read. If you can't make it to Meeker that day, or would like an advance look, you will find the same information can be found below. And, thank you.
Mimi