Public Affairs and Religious Liberty

01/04/2024

Dr. Ganoune Diop, director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, recently sat down for ANN (Adventist News Network) In-Depth interview with Sam Neves. The topic of discussion was 'Religious Liberty and Human Dignity'

Here are some of the points that were discussed:
-The historical journey of religious liberty within the Adventist Church
-The pivotal moment in 1888 when Adventists opposed Congress bills imposing Sunday worship
-The interconnectedness of religious freedom and human dignity, the impact of merging religion with politics, and the role of religion in shaping moral values in society

The episode is now out and available on the Adventist News Network YouTube channel. Click on the link below to watch the full episode.

On this episode of ANN In-Depth, Sam Neves interviews Ganoune Diop, director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty for the General Conference of Seventh-da...

12/22/2023

01/11/2023

Join us online on January 24, 2023 for our 9th annual Symposium on Religion and Faith-based Organizations in International Affairs.

Register now: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ty5nR6K8TLubYPUsnBcZ6w

10/10/2022

These news briefs are compiled and shared by the Department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) to be a useful resource of current events.

This week:

USA – September 28, 2022
The White House conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, held on September 28, laid out five pillars that are closely related to AdventHealth’s philosophy. Those pillars are to “improve food access and affordability; integrate nutrition and health; empower all consumers to make and have access to healthy choices; support physical activity for all; and enhance nutrition and food security research.” Similarly. AdventhHealth promotes CREATION Health, which stands for Choice, Rest, Environment, Activity, Trust, Interpersonal Relationships, Outlook, and Nutrition

Read more at: AdventHealth and White House Conference on Hunger & Nutrition
https://www.adventhealth.com/news/white-house-conference-brings-hunger-nutrition-health-sharp-focus

Australia – September 29, 2022
Seven Adventist military chaplains gathered at the Defence Chaplains Conference for the first time, organized by the Australian Union Conference. They attended professional development and training seminars with chaplain Andrew Harewood, who serves at the Pentagon, General Conference Adventist chaplaincy ministries director Dr Ivan Omana, and North American Division (NAD) associate ACM director Dr Gilda Roddy.

Read more at: Pentagon Adventist Chaplain Experience
https://record.adventistchurch.com/2022/09/29/pentagon-chaplain-shares-experience-at-first-adventist-defence-chaplains-conference/

USA – October 4, 2022
Oakwood Adventist Academy’s Sabbath accommodation suit against the Alabama High School Athletic Association was solved with the promise that AHSAA would adopt sensible religious accommodations to their scheduling policy and reschedule all games that conflict with Sabbath.

Read more at: Sabbath Accommodation Case - Oakwood Academy
https://www.adventistworld.org/oakwood-adventist-academy-sabbath-accommodation-suit-settled/?_ga=2.264816903.960269193.1665430832-74948162.1665430832

For more information about these stories please contact Jennifer Gray Woods, Director of Government Affairs and Associate Director for Public Affairs and Religious Liberty at the Seventh-day Adventist Church world headquarters at
[email protected].

For AdventHealth, whole-person care means addressing these issues and more.

09/15/2022

Public Affairs and Religious Liberty News, September 15, 2022
These news briefs are compiled and shared by the Department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) to be a useful resource of current events.

This week:

Northern Nigeria – September 8, 2022
Adventist women marched with the initiative EndItNow to speak up on gender-based violence in northern Nigeria. The Nigerian government was called to help address the root causes of gender-based violence and end impunity.
Link: https://adventist.news/news/adventist-women-speak-out-on-gender-based-violence

Brazil, Espirito Santo – September 6, 2022
The movement of the project Quebrando o Silencio (Breaking Silence) marched on the streets of Espirito Santo on August 27 to denounce psychological violence, raise awareness of its consequences, and introduce possible legal steps that can be taken by victims.
Link: https://adventist.news/news/marches-combat-psychological-violence-in-espirito-santo

The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, & Turks and Caicos Islands – September 7, 2022
Adventists marched to call for an end to violence and abuse in the Caribbean Islands, as part of the global initiative ‘enditnow.’ Government leaders congratulated the Seventh-day Adventist Church for “being the first church to march through the streets to call for a stop to abuse and violence.” Leaders expressed their desire to work with the church to eradicate all forms of abuse and violence.
Link: https://adventistreview.org/news/across-caribbean-islands-adventists-march-to-enditnow/

Seychelles – August 23, 2022
SDA Women’s ministries met with President Ramkalawan (Seychelles) and his wife to introduce the Seventh-Day Adventist church. Women’s ministries introduced their initiatives to empower women and young girls facing poverty, abuse, and illiteracy. They discussed a possible collaboration between the government and the Adventist women’s ministries.
Link: https://www.statehouse.gov.sc/news/5631/president-ramkalawan-meets-general-director-of-the-seventh-day-adventist-womens-ministry

For more information about these stories please contact Jennifer Gray Woods, director of government affairs and associate director for Public Affairs and Religious Liberty at the Seventh-day Adventist Church world headquarters at [email protected]

Enditnow Emphasis Day in Northern Nigeria

06/06/2022

Public Affairs and Religious Liberty News, June 6, 2022

These news briefs are compiled and shared by the Department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) to be a useful resource of current events.

This week:

· The South Bend First Seventh-day Adventist Church in South Bend, Indiana hosted area faith leaders for an event to promote helping those who struggle with mental health or addiction by supporting a state-wide crisis response system.

o This story is available from Adventist News Network at: “Indiana Church Responds to Mental Health Crisis, Holds Special Event” https://adventist.news/news/indiana-church-responds-to-mental-health-crisis-holds-special-event
· Seventh-day Adventists across the United Kingdom are joining in the celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. A number of events, including the “I AM Urban” initiative, a partnership between ADRA and Adventist Community Services, are providing opportunities for Adventists to engage with their communities as they celebrate this historic event.

o This story is available from the Adventist Review at: “British Adventists to Celebrate Queen’s Platinum Jubilee” https://adventistreview.org/news/british-adventists-to-celebrate-queens-platinum-jubilee/

For more information about these stories please contact Jennifer Gray Woods, director of government affairs and associate director for Public Affairs and Religious Liberty at the Seventh-day Adventist Church world headquarters at [email protected]

The year 2022 marks the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. Across the United Kingdom, diverse communities are hosting events to commemorate the 70 years

06/01/2022

Public Affairs and Religious Liberty news, May 30th, 2022

These news briefs are compiled and shared by the Department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) to be a useful resource of current events.

This week:

Dr. Ganoune Diop, Director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, provides an in depth analysis of the deep religious conflict behind the Ukraine-Russia War in an article featured in the Adventist Review.

This story is available from the Adventist Review at: “Divisions in the Orthodox World: An Unfolding Tragedy that Challenges Christian Witness” https://adventistreview.org/commentary/divisions-in-the-orthodox-world-an-unfolding-tragedy-that-challenges-christian-witness/

The North America Division issued a statement against the recent school shooting in Uvalde Texas which killed 21 people, including 18 kids. The statement urges elected officials to take action to prioritize human and stem the tide of violence.

This story is available from the North American Division at: “North American Division Administration Issues Statement on Uvalde, Texas, School Shooting” https://www.nadadventist.org/news/north-american-division-administration-issues-statement-uvalde-texas-school-shooting

For more information about these stories please contact Jennifer Gray Woods, director of government affairs and associate director for Public Affairs and Religious Liberty at the Seventh-day Adventist Church world headquarters at [email protected]

We mourn with and pray for those whose lives have been irrevocably changed when a gunman opened fire yesterday at the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, killing 19 students and two adults. This marks the deadliest school shooting in the state's history and our hearts cry out in anguish and ang...

05/23/2022

Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Weekly News, May 23, 2022

These news briefs are compiled and shared by the Department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) to be a useful resource of current events.

This week:

· Two staff at the Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy have received awards from the American Pharmacists Association for their contributions in improving COVID-19 and other vaccination rates in their community.

o This story is available from the Adventist Review at: “Loma Linda Dean, Faculty Member Receive National Recognition” https://adventistreview.org/release/loma-linda-dean-faculty-member-receive-national-recognition/

· The North America Division issued a statement against the racially motivated violence that occurred in Buffalo New York this week praying for comfort for those impacted and urging action to show that love is stronger than hate.

o This story is available from the North American Division at: “The Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America Issues Joint Statement on Shooting in Buffalo, New York” https://www.nadadventist.org/news/seventh-day-adventist-church-north-america-issues-joint-statement-shooting-buffalo-new-york

For more information about these stories please contact Jennifer Gray Woods, director of government affairs and associate director for Public Affairs and Religious Liberty at the Seventh-day Adventist Church world headquarters at [email protected]

Members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church family mourn all loss of life, but especially cry out against mass violence such as what took place this past weekend in Buffalo, New York.

05/16/2022

Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Weekly News, May 16th, 2022

These news briefs are compiled and shared by the Department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) to be a useful resource of current events.

This week:

· The World Health Organization has recognized the 10,000 Toes Campaign, an initiative of the South Pacific Division, with the 2022 Healthy Island Award for its work in Fiji. The 10,000 Toes Campaign is working to address the lifestyle epidemic of diabetes.

o This story is available from the Adventist Review at: “10,000 Toes Campaign Recognized by World Health Organization” https://adventistreview.org/news/10000-toes-campaign-recognized-by-world-health-organization/

For more information about this story please contact Jennifer Gray Woods, director of government affairs and associate director for Public Affairs and Religious Liberty at the Seventh-day Adventist Church world headquarters at [email protected]

The 10,000 Toes Campaign, an initiative of health ministries at the South Pacific Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, has received the 2022 Healthy

05/09/2022

Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Weekly News, May 09, 2022

These news briefs are compiled and shared by the Department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) to be a useful resource of current events.

This week:

• On May 3, 2022, Becket, a non-profit, public interest legal and educational institution, along with the GC Office of General Counsel and North American Division, filed a lawsuit challenging the decision by the Alabama High School Athletic Association to not make a Sabbath accommodation.
o This story is available from the North American Division at: "Faith and Basketball: High School Team Fights for Right to Compete and Keep Their Sabbath”: www.nadadventist.org/news/faith-and-basketball-high-school-team-fights-right-compete-and-keep-their-sabbath

• Last week on ANN In-Depth, Jennifer Stymiest and Sam Neves talked with Orlan Johnson, PARL Director for the North American Division and Jennifer Woods, Associate PARL Director for the GC to discuss what we mean when we talk about religious liberty and how to protect it.
o This video is available from the Adventist News Network at: “Religious Liberty, What is It and How Does the Church Approach It?”:
adventist.news/videos/ann-indepth/religious-liberty-what-is-it-and-how-does-the-church-approach-it

For more information about these stories please contact Jennifer Gray Woods, director of government affairs and associate director for Public Affairs and Religious Liberty at the Seventh-day Adventist Church world headquarters at [email protected]

Throughout the past 2 years, we have heard the term “religious liberty” more than ever before. But when we, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, talk about Religious Liberty–what do we mean? How can we defend religious liberty–not just for our members, but for everyone. This week, Jennifer and ...

05/02/2022

Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Weekly News, May 02, 2022

These news briefs are compiled and shared by the Department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) to be a useful resource of current events.

This week:

· On April 23, 2022, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Tirana Albania celebrated its 30th anniversary. The former Albanian President and Prime Minister Sali Berisha sent a congratulatory video and commended the Religious Liberty Association for promoting religious liberty and peaceful coexistence with other religions in the country.

o This story is available from the Trans-European Division at: “Albanian Church Celebrates 30th Anniversary” https://ted.adventist.org/news/albanian-church-celebrates-30th-anniversary/

For more information about this story please contact Jennifer Gray Woods, director of government affairs and associate director for Public Affairs and Religious Liberty at the Seventh-day Adventist Church world headquarters at [email protected].

"Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter repeatedly asked me to support the Adventist Church in Albania," said Sali Berisha, former Albanian President

04/25/2022

Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Weekly News, April 25, 2022

These news briefs are compiled and shared by the Department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) to be a useful resource of current events.

This week:

• Seventh-day Adventist church members in Australia are being asked to help encourage their local members of parliament to pass the Religious Discrimination Bill (RDB). The RDB would, in part, allow faith-based schools to maintain their distinctive doctrine and teach their beliefs to students.
o This story is available from the Adventist Record at: “Push to get important legislation back on the agenda"
https://record.adventistchurch.com/2022/04/20/push-to-get-important-legislation-back-on-the-agenda/

For more information about this story please contact Jennifer Gray Woods, director of government affairs and associate director for Public Affairs and Religious Liberty at the Seventh-day Adventist Church world headquarters at [email protected]

In the lead-up to Australia’s federal election on May 21, Adventists are being asked to contact their local Member of Parliament and the federal senators in their state, urging them to support the Religious Discrimination Bill without amendments.