Statements approved by Yahara Friends Meeting
Minute on CO2 regulation, approved in Meeting for Business April 3, 2011.
The produce of the earth is a gift from our precious creator to the inhabitants, and to impoverish the earth now to support outward greatness appears to be an injury to the succeeding age.
-John Woolman, 1772
The responsibility for this situation belongs to all sectors of society, but the failure of our elected officials to adequately respond is truly unacceptable. Economic constraints and political feasibility are cited as excuses but that doesn't change the reality of climate change. Priorities must be rearranged. We must act now to minimize the negative impacts.
We call on our elected officials at all levels of government to act decisively. The Environmental Protection Agency must be supported in its efforts to control CO2 emissions. A tax on carbon should be considered. More efficient transportation and power generation systems should be supported. Government action can help give concerned individuals the tools to make their own changes. We have been given a wonderful, remarkable planet to live on. Let's ensure that coming generations can enjoy it as well.
Statement on Wisconsin budget approved March 6, 2011.
Our state of Wisconsin faces significant budget issues. We encourage our Governor and legislators of all parties to work together to find a solution that will maintain the quality of services that Wisconsinites deserve and need. Quakers believe there is that of God in all people and we ask that we all seek that awareness in ourselves and others. We particularly ask that services that support the health, education, and quality of life of those most in need be maintained and that measures to protect our environment be maintained or increased.
We respect the contributions of public employees and support their right to collective bargaining and equitable pay and benefits. We are pleased that the citizens of Wisconsin feel strongly about these issues and are participating in our democracy.
New ways of thinking may be required in order to raise the funds to pay for public services. Increases in some taxes may be appropriate, such as those on corporations and higher income individuals, and on some products and services such as beer and alcohol and gasoline. A portion of this revenue might be returned to those most negatively impacted. Individuals and businesses with a greater ability to pay for public services should expect to do so.
We are aware that a significant proportion of the federal budget is spent on wars and maintaining a military presence around the world. This expense should be substantially reduced and some of the savings used to help meet the needs of state and local governments.
In difficult times, love and respect for all of our neighbors is more important than ever.
Minute opposing state constitutional amendment prohibiting same gender marriage, (passed in November 2006). Approved February 6, 2005.
John 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another."
The Discipline of Iowa Yearly Meeting Conservative, of which we are members, includes the following Queries and Advices:
"How do we center our lives in the awareness of God the Spirit, so that all things may take their rightful places?"
"How can we bring more equality into our relationships?"
"What conflicts do we perceive between the laws of the State and our religious convictions? How do we resolve those conflicts in our lives? In what ways do we assume responsibility for the government of our community, state, nation and world?"
"Friends' belief in the Divine within everyone leads us to support institutions which meet human needs and to seek to change institutions which fail to meet human needs. We strengthen community when we work with others to help promote justice for all."
"How are we beneficiaries of inequality and exploitation? How are we victims of inequality and exploitation? In what ways can we address these problems? ...In what ways do we oppose prejudice and injustice based on gender, sexual orientation, class, race, age, and physical, mental and emotional conditions? How would individuals benefit from a society that values everyone? How would society benefit?"
Based on these expressions of our faith and our own experience of the Divine, Friends of the Yahara Preparative Meeting are clear that the proposed amendment to the Wisconsin constitution to prohibit both civil unions and marriage between people of the same gender is unjust and harmful. This amendment would make inequality a part of the state's constitution, a document that should protect the rights of all its citizens. It is clear from the experience of other states that have adopted similar amendments that serious harm can come to families who are denied equal rights and protections of the law. We unite in our commitment of opposition to this amendment.