by Christine Mangale, Program Director, Lutheran Office for World Community

A fundamental document turns 70 years of age on Dec. 10, 2018. Translated into 500 languages, its 30 articles guarantee and affirm rights, freedom, inherent dignity and equality of all humankind. Its principles represent tools that have allowed individuals to claim their dignity and provided them an avenue to fight for their rights.

As Lutherans, we join in celebration of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). We celebrate because we identify with its universal principles of justice and equality. And we celebrate because we were represented at its drafting.

GROUNDING AND ASPIRATIONS

Created in the aftermath of World War II in 1945, the United Nations (UN) was chartered to build a space for multilateralism with the aim of never returning to the scourge of global conflict and work to advance human rights. Following the UN Charter, another foundational text was created: the UDHR. Adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948, the monumental document states that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights” (UDHR Article 1). These rights are to be respected and enjoyed by all.

The UDHR is not a stand-alone agreement. It is further substantiated with the generation of a normative framework known as “international human rights law,” which has offered a legal guidepost for countries and international organizations to universalize rules and principles of conduct that allow states to engage with their citizens and each other.

Elaborating on this framework, the UN has created demographic-specific human rights instruments which build on and reinforce each other to ensure that all people are represented and protected. For example, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, both adopted in 1966, affirm individual and state freedoms, especially freedom from violence and torture, and offer equal protection under international law.

Our author, Christine Mangale, standing in front of the United Nations building

These documents are also aspirational, identifying and stating an adequate standard of living for all humankind. These agreements include commitments by states to provide adequate basic needs like food, shelter and clothing by calling them “fundamental rights.”

LUTHERAN CONNECTION

The Rev. Dr. Frederick Nolde, a Lutheran, contributed to article 18 of the UDHR. Article 18 pertains to the “Right to freedom of thought and religion,” indicating that “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest this religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”

We have seen firsthand how the UDHR has served as a beacon of hope for the vulnerable and marginalized – allowing them to emerge from the shadows with confidence and in the protection of the international community. This resonates with our call to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God” (Micah 6:8).

ANNIVERSARY INTERSECTION

Dec. 10 also marks the last day of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, a campaign driven by civil society to accelerate action to end violence against women and girls. Structures of inequality are mostly unchanged, and the relationship between men and women remains unequal. There has been failure to address and challenge broader dynamics of patriarchy and inequality among men and women that result in lack of economic and social rights for women and girls. It is time to “Walk our Talk,” the theme of Lutheran World Federation over the 16 days and beyond.

TODAY

Millions of people are still suffering from poverty, hunger, conflicts, war, gender inequality and unjust systems that leave UDHR promises unfulfilled. We are witnessing a breakdown of international multilateralism, shrinking space for civil society engagement, violations of fundamental human rights with impunity, xenophobia, homophobia, racism, ongoing patriarch and gender-based violence, just to name a few. The aspiration of the UDHR is, therefore, more relevant now than ever. We celebrate how far we have come, yet we must simultaneously examine how little has changed in these 70 years.

Despite it all, as people of faith we remain hopeful. Together we have the power to #standup4humanrights, make a difference for stronger respect, greater freedom and more compassion, and overcome the challenges identified by the UDHR.

GET INVOLVED

Take the Human Rights Pledge organized by the UN and stand in solidarity with victims and survivors of human rights violations. Show love, compassion and empathy to your neighbor. Speak out against violence facing women and girls. Engage your local and national level officials, holding them accountable to international law and principles, and ensuring that they espouse values of respect, dignity and equality.

The next 70 years can take us on a pathway to the realization of the inspiring UDHR message of equality and justice. As the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

by the Rev. Amy Reumann, Director of ELCA Advocacy

Election Day is behind us, and we have much to give thanks for as a nation and as a church. As citizens, we have come together to vote in midterm Congressional elections, state and local races. We thank God for the countless volunteers who power our democracy, those who ran for office, worked on campaigns, staffed the polls, provided rides and strove to ensure that every possible vote be cast and counted.

We celebrate the diversity of candidates elected to national office, making Congress look more like our nation, increasing the number of people of color, immigrants, and those representing varied religious traditions and sexual orientations. This year we see the largest number of women ever, including the first Native American and Muslim women to serve in Congress. We are thankful for all candidates who by running for office helped us envision thriving, healthy communities and who made solutions to the pressing issues of hunger, poverty, human dignity and care for the environment central to their campaigns.

While we look forward to the contributions of new public servants, we note some positive policy changes through referendum results. Several states voted to expand Medicaid. Others raised the minimum wage. And some made strides in expanding access to the ballot, most notably in Florida where voting rights were restored for people with completed sentences following a felony conviction.

Lutherans have engaged enthusiastically in the political process, and as a church in the ELCAvotes initiative. Congregations have used our resources to plan prayer services, conducted voter registration drives and engaged in voting rights education. Purple “ELCAvotes” buttons, brought back by popular demand, turned up on lapels, and a profile photo frame on Facebook was a big hit. Most importantly, we saw a deepening of Lutheran engagement and a claiming of our vocation as citizens dedicated to the common good. We heard about Lutherans who organized, knocked on doors or took leave from their jobs to support candidates. We also spoke to Lutherans who ran for office – one who pointed to our social statements as a foundation for his policy platform.

Our ELCAvotes commitment extends beyond November 6th. We vote every day through our voice and leadership in public life, and through the sources we turn to which shape our opinions. This election cycle included rhetoric that vilified people based on their religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender. As Lutherans, alert to the ways that sin divides us as a human community, we must do more than mourn incivility. We can increase our witness against expressions of intolerance, racism, white supremacy and fear of immigrants, both in our church and local communities. We must make these expectations clear in our local witness, by who is present at our tables when action is planned as well as in our communications with elected leaders.

By casting our ballots, we live out our affirmation of baptism to “serve all people, following the example of our Lord Jesus.” Thank you for thoughtfully engaging your vocation, furthering God’s work in our world in our communities and lifting your voice in support of policies that promote human dignity, answer human need and preserve creation. We look forward to serving together in these areas.

By Ruth Ivory-Moore, Program Director, Environment and Corporate Social Responsibility

In 1993, the ELCA Social Statement, “Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope and Justice” [Caring for Creation], described:

“The earth is a planet of beauty and abundance; the earth system is wonderfully intricate and incredibly complex. But today living creatures, and the air, soil, and water that support them, face unprecedented threats. Many threats are global; most stem directly from human activity. Our current practices may so alter the living world that it will be unable to sustain life in the manner we know.”

Strikingly, it describes the state of the environment in 2018.

The release of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions acts as a blanket surrounding earth and leads to increase in the atmospheric temperature — global warming. Because of global warming the earth is experiencing increased frequency, severity, and intensification of weather patterns and temperature extremes. The aftermath varies depending upon locale: floods, droughts, and wildfires; coastline erosions due to sea level rise; and acidification of oceans – all of which are yielding the degradation of the earth and negatively impacting its habitants at unprecedented rates. The consequences are staggering – forced migration; exacerbation of poverty; national security concerns; negative impacts on agriculture resulting in food insecurity; and threats to ecosystems that could lead to the extinction of some species.

Human activity and devastating accumulation of GHG emissions in the atmosphere are linked.¹

Without human activity deploying drastic measures immediately to stop the earth’s degradation, we are rapidly losing our ability to salvage our home here on earth. While the deterioration that the earth is experiencing is seen around the entire world, the impact varies and is not equal. The most vulnerable are disproportionately affected while they have contributed the least to the release of GHG emission into the atmosphere. They are also ill-equipped to implement the remedies needed to create resilient communities and societies to combat climate change.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which is the United Nations’ (UN) body for assessing the science related to climate change, issued its 2018 report entitled: “Global Warming of 1.5°C” (Report). The Report expressed the urgency of the need to take rapid strategic action over the next decade to limit global warming to 1.5ºC to avoid the risks associated with long-lasting or irreversible change. “Limiting warming to 1.5ºC is possible within the laws of chemistry and physics but doing so would require unprecedented changes,” said Jim Skea, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group III.²

This is one of the most challenging times that we have ever faced as a global community and church. Our lives and future generations depend on the actions we take or do not take. The IPCC Report makes this very clear. We no longer have the luxury to focus on one industrial sector. We must address GHG emissions from all sectors.

The world is in a dire situation, but it is not hopeless. The God of hope grounds and guides us through the story of Scripture, where resurrection overcomes death, and hope triumphs over despair. In ancient Israel, as Jerusalem was under siege and people were on the verge of exile, Jeremiah purchased a plot of land (Jeremiah 32). The Caring for Creation social statement reminds us: “When Martin Luther was asked what he would do if the world were to end tomorrow, he reportedly answered, ‘I would plant an apple tree today.’ When we face today’s crisis, we do not despair. We act.” The IPCC suggests specific actions.

We will:

• Pray for guidance;
• Become educated on the facts;
• Raise awareness in our communities;
• Love our neighbors (understanding that neighbors are next door and around the globe); and
• Advocate for those disproportionately impacted.

As found in Psalms: “You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet” (Psalm 8:6).

We will passionately seek justice for all as we are accountable to God for our stewardship of the earth.

[1] See findings of the U.S. Global Change Research Program Climate Science Special Report, https://science2017.globalchange.gov/, last assessed 10/23/18; and see “Global Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet”, https://climate.nasa.gov/causes/, last assessed 10/23/18.

[2] See IPCC Press Release, http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/session48/pr_181008_P48_spm_en.pdf, last assessed 10/23/18; and “UN SDGs, Special Climate Report: 1.5ºC Is Possible But Requires Unprecedented and Urgent Action,” https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2018/10/special-climate-report-1-5oc-is-possible-but-requires-unprecedented-and-urgent-action/, last assessed 10/25/18.

Our guest blogger, the Rev. Kwame Pitts, helped draft and present the ELCA Social Policy Resolution “Voting Rights to All Citizens” adopted by the Churchwide Assembly in 2013. She shares her poetically presented thoughts in 2018 here.

THE RESPONSIBILITY I CARRY INSIDE MY DNA: THE CONTINUED STRUGGLE FOR VOTING RIGHTS

By guest blogger the Rev. Kwame Pitts, Campus Pastor, Augustana Lutheran Church of Hyde Park in Chicago (bio)

Simply because they refuse to assimilate
Kowtow to the dominate culture
To the poisonous American nationalism.
2018
We are still having this conversation
They tried to wipe our rights.
They tried to cripple the peoples of Georgia
The tired, the poor, the abused, the violated.
We are still standing.
So please,
Don’t tell me to conform
To stick to the sickly sweet,
Feel good Gospel
ANY THEOLOGY,
That does not address the suffering
ANY DOCTRINE
That chooses to ignore the cries for justice
ANY DENOMINATION
That co-signs off on the slavery and the destruction
Of God’s People,
Of Black and Brown Bodies
Of Indigenous and Ancient Bodies
Of those who Love Authentically,
Even if that makes folks uncomfortable
OF those who rejoice the Creator,
In so many beautiful and original ways…
Will not be the religious tradition that I will ever follow.
So,
What side are YOU on?
Will you speak prophetically,
Unapologetically
And defend
The right
To
VOTE?
Ache’
Amen
Ameen.

Biographical submission: The Rev. Kwame Pitts understands her role in the scheme of things as a weaving of both academics, theology and the practical. Currently she serves as Associate Pastor for Body and Soul UChicago Campus Ministry at Augustana Lutheran Church, Hyde Park. Campus Ministry, under her tutelage, is being redefined as a resource for public theology and an example of public Church. Pr. Pitts holds a M.Div. degree from LSTC, is working on her final STM thesis on syncretism and oppression and has been accepted to an Ecumenical D.Min. program concurrently. In 2013 she wrote and presented to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly the Social Policy Resolution regarding Voting Rights and subsequently partnered with ELCA Young Adults and Racial Justice Ministries to form #ELCAVotes. Currently she serves on both boards of SOUL (Southsiders Organized for Unity and Leadership) and Emmanus Road, another faith rooted organization located in NYC. Pr. Pitts has no apologizes for her voice and where she places herself in faith rooted organizing for all people. She is also known for her poetic voice both academically and theologically, and this is reflected in the blog.

Approximately 200 children who were separated from their parents at the border have still not been reunified with their parents. Additionally, the zero-tolerance policy that seeks to criminally prosecute all people arriving at the border continues, and there are efforts to expand the detention of children and their parents. As we face continuous policy changes that harm children and families seeking protection in the U.S., Congress has an important role to play in allocating funds for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Join the Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC) and hundreds of people of faith in a national call-in day, Wednesday, September 26^th to ask your Member of Congress to reject family separation and detention and champion alternatives that honor the human dignity of all.

Family detention is inhumane and unnecessary. Community-based alternatives, such as the Family Case Management Program (FCMP), are humane, cost-effective and successful in ensuring families continue their immigration cases. Families that used the FCMP had a 99% compliance rate in continuing their immigration process. In addition, while family detention costs $319.37 per person per day, the FCMP costs $36 per day per family. Beyond punishing children and parents who have already been through a difficult journey to arrive in the U.S., there is no reason to continue to spend our tax dollars expanding detention.

You can act today by joining IIC’s Call-in day rejecting family separation and detention.

1. Call your Members of Congress.​ Dial the IIC line (866) 940-2439 three times to be connected to your 2 Senators and 1 Representative. You can use this sample script for guidance, although your own story can also be influential:

“I am your constituent from [CITY/TOWN], and [as a person of faith] I urge my Senator/Representative to reduce funding for immigration detention, deportation, and border militarization. Enforcement alone without underlying reform is causing harm in my community and tearing families apart.

“I also urge my Senator/Representative to reject family detention. Detaining children with their parents is not a solution to family separation. Rather than detention, Congress and the administration should use and invest in community-based alternatives to detention such as the Family Case Management Program. The administration must end ‘zero-tolerance’ criminal prosecution of families and asylum seekers for crossing the border, and immediately reunify families already separated. My community welcomes and values immigrants, and we urge you to do the same.”

2. Share on Social Media: ​Share the same message with your Senators & Representatives on social media.

Go to the Interfaith Immigration Coalition’s Summary Sheet to learn about more actions you can take to support children and families seeking protection.

“I was so moved,” said Elena Robles of a talk she heard about stress and farmers near the end of her term as a Hunger Fellow with the ELCA Advocacy office. Farm Bill conferees are engaged in the task of bridging differences between the Senate’s (S.034) Agriculture Improvement Act and the House of Representative’s (HR.2) Agriculture and Nutrition Act, aiming for Farm Bill consideration before upcoming midterm elections. The speaker Robles heard, Matt Perdue, shares his insights here with us about very human elements the Farm Bill addresses.

By guest blogger Matt Perdue, Government Relations Representative for National Farmers Union

There is a lot that weighs on a farmer’s mind. Farming is a tough occupation. Unpredictable weather, staggering financial risk, volatile markets, and the strain of heavy workloads are all routine aspects of a life in farming. Spend a few minutes in a small town coffee shop, and you quickly realize that the struggles of farming often dominate those conversations. Farmers are comfortable talking about their stressors. What they rarely acknowledge is their actual stress.

The reality is that mental health struggles among the farming population is a persistent and growing problem. Farmers and agricultural workers have a much higher rate of suicide than the general population. This is exacerbated by the fact that 60 percent of rural residents live in areas that suffer from mental health professional shortages. When farmers do acknowledge their stress, they often find that there’s nowhere to turn for help.

Farmers are under greater stress today than anything most have experienced since the 1980s. Net farm income has declined for five years and is now less than half of what it was in 2013. As trade uncertainty compounds already low commodity prices, experts suggest that a rebound could be years away. While the economic challenges aren’t necessarily the same as those of the 1980s, many worry that a similar farm suicide crisis is brewing.

Many are optimistic that a new Farm Bill will, at the very least, bring farmers and ranchers a desperately needed measure of certainty. Among the legislation’s hundreds of pages is the farm safety net, which supports farmers when market forces make it all but impossible to turn a profit. It includes credit programs that can keep a farmer afloat between the costs of planting and the revenues of harvest. The Farm Bill also includes programs covering conservation, trade promotion, rural development, renewable energy, and everything in between.

As Congress makes progress toward passing a new Farm Bill, a bipartisan group of legislators has worked diligently to address the agricultural community’s growing need for mental health services. Led by Congressmen Tom Emmer and Tom O’Halleran, and Senators Tammy Baldwin and Joni Ernst, the coalition has resurrected a long-forgotten and never-funded program: the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network.

FRSAN was established in the 2008 Farm Bill to provide grants to extension services and nonprofit organizations that offer stress assistance programs to farmers, ranchers and farmworkers. The program would fund farm hotlines and websites, community outreach and education, support groups, and home delivery of assistance. In short, FRSAN helps communities better support farmers when they need it most.

The Senate and House have each passed their versions of the Farm Bill, and each includes reauthorization of FRSAN. As they hurriedly work to reach agreement and pass a final product, it’s important that a strong and diverse coalition of groups continues to advocate for the inclusion of the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network. It’s important that members of Congress hear from farmers, health providers and the faith-based community about the need to better support our agricultural community.

Beyond the Farm Bill and far from the politics of Washington, it’s equally important that we continue the conversation around farmer mental health. We need to educate members of our communities to better recognize and respond to the signs of distress. We must also identify those mental health resources and services available in rural areas and leverage those to better serve our agricultural population. Most importantly, we need to make sure that when the stress mounts, farmers have somewhere to turn.