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56-474: NRCAT's mission statement says that the organization "mobilizes people of faith to end torture in U.S. policy, practice, and culture." NRCAT was created in January 2006 at the conference, “Theology, International Law and Torture: A Conference on Human Rights and Religious Commitment.” Dr. George Hunsinger of Princeton Theological Seminary convened the conference to better equip the multiple religious communities in

112-608: A constructive alternative to military service. In 1947, AFSC, along with its British counterpart, the Friends Service Council (now known as Quaker Peace and Social Witness), received the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of all Quakers worldwide. Established in 1917 by Friends from different branches of American Quakerism, AFSC is connected to the Religious Society of Friends through its official Corporation, which

168-585: A faith community due to "an increasingly pronounced drift toward a lefty secularism " since the 1970s. It was reported that the Committee in 1975 adopted "a formal decision to make the Middle East its major issue". Some Jewish supporters of Israeli government policies have accused AFSC of having an anti-Jewish bias. In 1993, Jacob Neusner called the Committee "the most militant and aggressive of Christian anti-Israel groups". The AFSC's position on its website

224-562: A military array representing US deaths in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and shoes representing Iraqi and Afghan civilians. It was exhibited in 48 states and the District of Columbia, drawing national coverage The American Friends Service Committee's strategic plan for 2020-2030 lists three interconnected strategic goals. Throughout much of the group's history the US Federal Bureau of Investigation and other government agencies have monitored

280-641: A new generation of COs. When Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated from the West Coast to inland concentration camps, AFSC led efforts to help college students transfer to schools in the Midwest and East Coast to avoid internment, and assisted Japanese Americans in resettling in various cities during and after the war. Following the war, AFSC engaged in relief and reconstruction work in Europe , Japan , India , and China . In 1947, AFSC worked to resettle refugees during

336-422: A profound impact – for better or worse – on the practices of other governments. The U.S. has had a positive influence on international efforts to prohibit torture, but has also condoned torture by foreign governments. It provides military assistance to certain foreign governments despite their use of torture, and has even provided direct support and training for foreign security forces that torture. NRCAT works to end

392-538: A significant statement of Christian pacifism , receiving widespread commentary in both secular and religious press. In the United States, AFSC supported the American Civil Rights Movement and advocated for the rights of African-Americans , Native Americans , Mexican Americans , and Asian Americans . Since the 1970s, AFSC has been heavily involved in the peace movement, particularly efforts to halt

448-659: A store-front school for high school dropouts sponsored by the New York Urban League . He then received a Bachelor of Divinity degree cum laude from Harvard Divinity School in 1971. Through the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) program, he spent his time in Tübingen University during 1971–1972. Hunsinger worked as volunteer teacher, Benhaven School for Autistic Children in New Haven, CT in

504-572: Is a Religious Society of Friends ( Quaker )-founded organization working for peace and social justice in the United States and around the world. AFSC was founded in 1917 as a combined effort by American members of the Religious Society of Friends to assist civilian victims of World War I . It continued to engage in relief action in Europe and the Soviet Union after the Armistice of 1918. By

560-591: Is asking the U.S. Department of Justice to read the Senate Intelligence Committee's Torture Report and re-open the criminal investigation into torture, working on gathering support for the McCain-Feinstein amendment to the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act that codifies the Executive Order banning torture into law, and working on closing the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay , one of

616-489: Is established in the organization's bylaws: "The members of the Corporation shall be those persons, being members of the Religious Society of Friends, as may from time to time be appointed to membership in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws." The members are a combination of " Yearly Meeting appointees" and "at-large members." The bylaws further state: "Appointment of Members by Yearly Meetings. Each Yearly Meeting of

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672-513: Is viewed as an authoritative interpreter of the work of his teacher Hans Frei . In terms of ecclesial aspects, Hunsinger was ordained as minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1982. He also served as one of the members of a special committee of the PCUSA to write a New Presbyterian Catechism, in which he was the principal author. This catechism was approved by the 210th General Assembly of

728-751: The American Friends Service Committee and the Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity Coalition in signing "A Religious Call for a Just and Humane End to the Hunger Strike in California Prisons." The letter called on Gov. Brown to honor the hunger strikers’ five core demands in order to bring the hunger strike to a swift and humane end. Advocating for U.S. policies that help end the use of torture by other governments U.S. laws, policies and actions on torture have

784-598: The Amish . They developed ideas for alternative services that could be performed directly in the battle zones of northern France. The group also formulated plans for interacting with the United States Army , which had been inconsistent in its treatment of pacifist churches were legally exempt from the draft, individual state draft boards interpreted the law in various ways. Many Quakers and other COs were ordered to report to army camps for military service. Some COs, unaware of

840-857: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and those in the West Bank and Israel came under the care of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). In the Gaza Strip , the Egyptian Army had established eight improvised refugee camps containing at least 200,000 people, mostly living in tents. Of these, 56% had come from Gaza District , and 42% from Lydda District . AFSC's responsibilities included food distribution, public health, and education. The program

896-510: The U.S. Congress and state legislatures, and study materials, worship materials and other programs that can be used by people of faith to work to end torture. Ending U.S.-sponsored torture of post-9/11 detainees forever From its founding, NRCAT has played a significant role in working to stop U.S. torture of detainees in order to obtain information and to ensure that the country will never engage in torture again. For example, in 2008 and 2009, NRCAT joined with Evangelicals for Human Rights (now

952-586: The partition of India . Between 1937 and 1943, the organization built the Penn-Craft community for unemployed coal miners in Fayette County, Pennsylvania . Additionally in 1947, AFSC was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of its war relief efforts. Shortly afterward, AFSC became one of the first non-governmental organizations to be given Consultative Status at the United Nations , leading to

1008-524: The 1930s and through World War II , AFSC helped refugees escape Nazi Germany , focusing on those who were not being assisted by other organizations, primarily non-religious Jews and Jews married to non-Jews. AFSC also provided relief for children on both sides of the Spanish Civil War and supported refugees in Vichy France . Simultaneously, AFSC operated several Civilian Public Service camps for

1064-493: The American Friends Service Committee branched out to more domestic work in the United States. The Interracial Section was formed to improve race relations and civil rights. AFSC advocated for more inclusive immigration laws and opposed racial quotas . The organization also supported striking mine workers and helped unemployed individuals develop new skills, such as crafting furniture and other goods. During

1120-718: The Associate Professor of Theology in 1988–92, and finally as the Professor of Theology in 1992–94 in Bangor Theological Seminary , which has been closed by 2013. Before teaching in Princeton Theological Seminary , he was the member of the Center of Theological Inquiry in between 1994 and 1997. This center was established by the Princeton Theological Seminary 's Board of Trustees in 1978. He later became

1176-783: The British Friends Service Council) and other partners. AFSC also provides administrative support to the Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) in New York City . This office is the official voice of Quakerism in the United Nations headquarters. There is a second QUNO office in Geneva, Switzerland ; support for that office is provided by European Quakers. QUNO is overseen by the Friends World Committee for Consultation . AFSC carries out many programs around

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1232-463: The Corporation for the ensuing year...taking AFSC’s policies regarding diversity and inclusion into consideration." In April 1917, just days after the United States entered World War I by declaring war on Germany and its allies, a group of Quakers met in Philadelphia to discuss the impending military draft and its impact on members of peace churches such as Quakers, Mennonites , Brethren , and

1288-593: The FGC Gathering, a letter listing the points of criticism was signed by 130 Friends and sent to the AFSC Board. In 1988, the book Peace and Revolution by conservative scholar Guenter Lewy repeated charges that AFSC had abandoned pacifism and religion. In response to Lewy's book, Chuck Fager published Quaker Service at the Crossroads in 1988. In 2010, Fager described that AFSC was "divorced" from Quakers' life as

1344-616: The New Evangelical Partnership) and the Center for Victims of Torture to generate support for an executive order to be issued by the President of the United States that would halt U.S. sponsored torture. NRCAT's efforts proved fruitful when President Barack Obama issued an Executive Order halting torture on January 22, 2009 that adopted many of the coalition's suggestions. To permanently end U.S.-sponsored torture of detainees and seek accountability for past use of torture, NRCAT

1400-891: The PCUSA in June 1998. He has also been leading adult bible studies in Nassau Presbyterian Church ( Princeton, NJ ) starting from 1995. He served as the Instructor in Theology in 1979–84, and as the Assistant Professor of Theology in 1984–85 in the New Brunswick Theological Seminary , which is a seminary run by the Reformed Church in America (RCA). He then served as the Assistant Professor of Theology in 1986–88, as

1456-484: The Religious Society of Friends in the United States of America shall be entitled Bylaws of the American Friends Service Committee to appoint such number of persons as may be fixed by the Friends Relations Committee of the Corporation to serve as members of the Corporation," and "Appointment of Members-at-Large. The Standing Nominating Committee shall provide nominations of the persons who are to be members of

1512-616: The Theology of Karl Barth (2001), George Hunsinger is an American theologian who is Hazel Thompson McCord Professor of Systematic Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary . He served as director of the Seminary's Center for Karl Barth Studies from 1997 to 2001. Hunsinger graduated from Stanford University with honors in Humanities in 1967. Immediately after graduating from college, he lived and taught in Bedford-Stuyvesant in

1568-651: The United States to take a more prominent role in the effort to end U.S.-sponsored torture. 150 leaders of a variety of faiths attended the Conference. From January 2006 to May 2007, NRCAT was a project of the Churches’ Center for Theology and Public Policy, a national ecumenical research center located at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. In May 2007, NRCAT became an independent organization and hired Rev. Richard L. Killmer as executive director, who served in

1624-602: The absence of political progress on repatriation and limited resources, AFSC decided not to commit to a long-term aid program. In April 1950, they transferred their entire program to the newly created the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). As the Cold War intensified, AFSC continued its relief and service efforts, often supporting civilians on both sides of conflicts around

1680-440: The demands of sexual minorities for equal treatment. Currently, the organization's three priorities include work on peacebuilding, a focus on just economies, and humane responses to the global migration crisis. Quakers traditionally oppose violence in all of its forms and therefore many refuse to serve in the military , even when drafted . AFSC's original mission arose from the need to provide conscientious objectors (COs) with

1736-531: The director of the Center for Barth Studies of the seminary from 1997 to 2001. Since 2001 he has been the McCord Professor of Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary . Hunsinger also served as visiting professor of Union Theological Seminary (NYC) (1979), Haverford College (1985), Andover Newton Theological School (1997-2004), Princeton University (2000) He took the role of program chair (1997-2002) and

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1792-568: The establishment of the Quaker United Nations Office . On December 7, 1948, UN Secretary-General Trygve Lie officially invited AFSC to participate in a one-year emergency relief program for Palestinians displaced by the creation of the state of Israel . The program had a budget of $ 32 million, with $ 16 million provided by the US . AFSC was given responsibility for the Gaza Strip , while displaced persons in Lebanon , Syria , and Jordan were allocated to

1848-562: The exponentially growing reality of anti-Muslim bigotry, like the opposition to the building of new Mosques and the threat by the pastor in Florida to burn the Qur’an , was contrary to American values and religious values. Following the meeting, the religious leaders held a press conference that included 38 television cameras and produced 200 press stories in one day. That fall "Shoulder-to-Shoulder: Standing with American Muslims; Upholding American Values"

1904-604: The form of food, clothing, and other supplies for displaced persons in France . Quakers were encouraged to donate old and make new garments; grow fruits and vegetables, can them, and send them to AFSC headquarters in Philadelphia . The AFSC then shipped these materials to France for distribution. Young men and women were sent to work in France alongside British Quakers, providing relief and medical care to refugees, repairing and rebuilding homes, assisting farmers in replanting fields damaged by

1960-487: The inhumane conditions, including confinement in long-term isolation. On Thursday, September 5, the 60th day of the third peaceful hunger strike in California prisons, the hunger strike was suspended, with California legislators vowing to take legislative action and host a series of hearings. Over 1,000 clergy and religious leaders throughout the United States supported the hunger strikers call to end torture, joining with NRCAT,

2016-508: The mid-1920s, AFSC focused on improving racial relations, immigration policy, and labor conditions in the U.S., as well as exploring ways to prevent the outbreak of another conflict before and after World War II . As the Cold War developed, the organization began to employ more professionals rather than Quaker volunteers. Over time, it broadened its appeal and began to respond more forcefully to racial injustice , international peacebuilding , migration and refugee issues, women's issues, and

2072-897: The official WCRC "signing statement" to the JDDJ, as ratified in July 2017, at the 500th anniversary of the Reformation . In the spring semester of 2019 he was a visiting professor of ecumenical theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome . In 2016 his book The Beatitudes (Paulist Press) was awarded "First Place in Spirituality" by the Catholic Press Association of America and Canada . American Friends Service Committee The American Friends Service Committee ( AFSC )

2128-518: The organization. In June 1979, a cover article in The New Republic attacked AFSC for abandoning the tradition of pacifism . The criticisms became prominent after a gathering of Friends General Conference (FGC) in Richmond, Indiana, in the summer of 1979 when many Friends joined with prominent leaders, such as Kenneth Boulding , to call for a firmer Quaker orientation toward public issues. After

2184-732: The period of 1973–1975. After he received a MA and MPhil degree from Yale University in 1977, he served as the "Theologian in Residence " in Riverside Church Disarmament Program in NYC between 1978 and 1979. In 1988, he finished his doctoral studies and gained his PhD under the supervision of Hans Frei in Yale University . Throughout his career his work has focused largely on the theology of Karl Barth . Hunsinger has also been associated with postliberalism . Along these lines, he

2240-1200: The position until December 2013. Rev. Ron Stief began as executive director in January 2014. In December 2007, the NRCAT Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) entity, was created. The Action Fund is responsible for lobbying and election campaign activities around the issue of U.S.-sponsored torture. In 2008, NRCAT worked urging presidential candidates, Members of Congress, the President-elect and the President himself to issue an executive order halting torture. On January 22, 2009 President Obama issued Executive Order 13491 titled "Ensuring Lawful Interrogations,” which halted U.S.-sponsored torture. NRCAT has over 300 religious organizations as members. These include: Evangelical Christians , Roman Catholics , Orthodox Christians , mainline Protestants , Muslims , Jews , Sikhs , Hindus , Baháʼí , and Buddhists . Member organizations include national denominational and faith group bodies, regional entities such as state ecumenical agencies, and local religious organizations and congregations. Over 75,000 people of faith have endorsed one or more of NRCAT's statements or participated in its activities. NRCAT sends information about current NRCAT programs, developments in

2296-431: The president (2003–present) of the Karl Barth Society of North America (KBSNA). Furthermore, he was the recipient of the 2010 Karl Barth Prize. Previous recipients include Eberhard Jüngel , Hans Küng , John W. de Gruchy , Johannes Rau , and Bruce McCormack . He has a long history of anti-war and human rights activism and was also an open critic of the war in Iraq, publishing his first article against it in 2002, before

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2352-406: The production and deployment of nuclear weapons. In fiscal year 2022, AFSC had revenues of US$ 40.9 million and expenses of US$ 37.8 million. AFSC had net assets of US$ 166 million. Today AFSC programs address a wide range of issues, countries, and communities. AFSC describes the programs as united by "the unfaltering belief in the essential worth of every human being, non-violence as

2408-548: The significance of reporting for duty, were surprised to learn that this was interpreted by the military as a willingness to fight. One of AFSC's first tasks was to identify COs, locate the camps where they were held, and visit them to provide spiritual guidance and moral support. In areas where the pacifist churches were more wildly recognized, such as Pennsylvania , several of draft boards were willing to assign COs to AFSC for alternative service. In addition to organizing alternative service programs for COs, AFSC collected relief in

2464-594: The steps needed to end U.S. sponsored torture forever. Additionally, NRCAT works on increasing the number of people in the U.S. who believe that torture is always wrong- without exceptions. Ending torture in U.S. prisons, especially the use of prolonged solitary confinement In solitary confinement , prisoners are held alone or with another person in an 8’ x 10’, often cage-like, windowless cell for 22–24 hours per day. Some incarcerated people have been held for months, years, even decades, in complete isolation and suffer lifelong psychological and cognitive consequences. To end

2520-401: The use of this practice, NRCAT works to advance legislation banning solitary confinement and educate people of faith nationwide about the torture of solitary confinement through varying methods such as NRCAT's film Breaking Down the Box and its solitary confinement cell replica. As an example of its work, NRCAT drew attention to the summer 2013 hunger strike in California prisons that protested

2576-452: The use of torture abroad by supporting the Leahy Law , a human rights law that restricts U.S. aid to foreign security forces (police, military, and other) that are credibly alleged to have committed gross human rights violations, like torture, rape, and forced disappearances. Ending anti-Muslim bigotry On September 7, 2010, NRCAT and the Islamic Society of North America organized an event with 40 national religious leaders who stated that

2632-408: The war was launched. He walked the picket lines with Cesar Chavez , worked for William Sloane Coffin Jr. at the Riverside Church Disarmament Program, and was twice arrested with Daniel Berrigan in Good Friday protests against nuclear weapons in Manhattan. In 2006 he convened the Princeton conference at which the National Religious Campaign Against Torture was founded. From 2003 to 2008 he

2688-406: The war, and founding a maternity hospital . After World War I ended in 1918, AFSC expanded its work to Russia , Serbia , and Poland , assisting orphans and victims of famine and disease. In Germany and Austria , they established kitchens to feed hungry children. Eventually, AFSC was chartered by President Herbert Hoover to provide United States-sponsored relief to Germans. In the 1920s,

2744-551: The way to resolve conflict, and the power of love to overcome oppression, discrimination, and violence". AFSC employs more than 350 staff working in dozens of programs throughout the United States and works in thirteen other nations. AFSC has divided the organization's programs between eight geographic regions, each of which runs programs related to peace, immigrant rights , restorative justice , economic justice, and climate justice. AFSC's international programs often work in conjunction with Quaker Peace and Social Witness (formerly

2800-422: The work of this and many other similar organizations. Since the 1970s, criticism has also come from liberals within the Society of Friends, who charge that AFSC has drifted from its Quaker roots and has become indistinguishable from other political pressure groups . Quakers expressed concern with AFSC's abolition of their youth work camps during the 1960s and what some saw as a decline of Quaker participation in

2856-555: The world, including the Korean War , the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 , the Algerian War , and the Nigerian-Biafran War . During the Vietnam War, AFSC collaborated with U.S. scholars of China to organize conferences that sought to raise awareness about the U.S.'s non-recognition of the People's Republic of China. In 1966, AFSC developed programs to aid children and provided medical supplies and artificial limbs to civilians in both North and South Vietnam . When U.S. State Department approval to send medical supplies to North Vietnam

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2912-466: The world. The organization's 2010 annual report describes work in several African countries, Haiti, Indonesia, and the United States. Recently AFSC opened a traveling art exhibit called Windows & Mirrors , examining the impact of the war in Afghanistan on civilians. In 2004, AFSC started the project Eyes Wide Open in Chicago . Eyes Wide Open is an exhibition on the human cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan . The exhibit featured boots in

2968-416: Was active in the ecumenical movement through the Faith and Order Commission and has written on issues related to ecumenism. He served as a delegate to the official Reformed/Roman Catholic International Dialogue (2011-2016), where he was instrumental in prompting the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) to affiliate with the historic " Joint Declaration on Justification " (JDDJ). He contributed to

3024-418: Was created, in which NRCAT has played a major leadership role To continue the efforts to end anti-Muslim bigotry, NRCAT is working to continue the partnership with Shoulder-to-Shoulder, respond to events and acts that are marked by anti-Muslim bigotry, and support religious organizations across the nation that are engaged in ending anti-Muslim sentiment. George Hunsinger Disruptive Grace: Studies in

3080-467: Was denied, the committee routed goods through Canada . AFSC also supported draft counseling for young American men throughout the conflict. In 1955, AFSC published Speak Truth to Power: A Quaker Search for an Alternative to Violence , authored by a group including Stephen G. Cary, A. J. Muste , Robert Pickus , and Bayard Rustin . Focused on the Cold War, the 71-page pamphlet aimed to demonstrate "the effectiveness of love in human relations" and became

3136-572: Was managed by 50 volunteers, many from pacifist or CO backgrounds, and eventually employed over 1,000 Palestinians. One of the initial tasks was registering the refugees by their village of origin and establishing a rationing system, including a baby milk program. The goal was to provide each person with 2000 calories per day. Following this, AFSC established clinics for distributing medicines, conducted malaria control efforts, and organized water distribution. By March 30, 1949, rudimentary schools had been established for 16,000 children. However, due to

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