Equality
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More Minutes relating to our Equality testimony
- September 2004: Atlanta Friends Meeting approves becoming a member of the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation.
- July 1994: The Atlanta Meeting of the Religious Society
of Friends (Quakers) joins other members of the religious
community in asking the Cobb County Commission to rescind their
resolution condemning the lesbian and gay community. We consider
this resolution to be an assault on human rights, an act that
divides communities and promotes hatred.
As Friends, we affirm the inherent dignity, equality, and worth of every individual. We affirm our support of the rights of all persons regardless of sexual orientation. We call upon the Cobb County Commission to recognize these principles and to rectify the injustice inherent in their resolution. - February 1979: We are aware that families with children have been discriminated against in housing. Since concern for social justice has been a tradition throughout Quaker history, this Meeting supports the full legal protection of the rights of children and families with children.
- May 1978: The Atlanta Friends' meeting (Quakers) has expressed its concern over the threat to the human rights of gay persons. The City of Atlanta is just emerging from a period of tension in which groups were polarized over the administration of law enforcement. Further polarization is now possible because of the appearance in Atlanta of a spokesperson (ed: Anita Bryant) who represents the movement to deny gays their civil rights. Atlanta Friends in their Business Meeting held May 28, 1978 stated Friends' belief in the inherent dignity and worth of every individual. We reaffirm our support for the civil and human rights of all persons regardless of sexual orientation. WE regret actions by any group or individual which would result in the denial of basic rights to any minority group. We ask that each of us seek the guidance of a loving God as we work for the fulfillment of our shared human fellowship.
- April 1965: The Atlanta Monthly Meeting of the Religious
Society of Friends shares with others a weighty concern for the
revision of the inequitable and discriminatory statutes presently
regulating U.S. immigration policies and procedures. Implicit in
these Acts is the concept that some ethnic groups and certain
nationals are inferior to others. This concept is repudiated by
Quakers as contrary to their belief in the inherent equality
before God of all people.
Restrictions on immigrants required by existing laws are in direct conflict with reaffirmed national policies committed to ending all forms of discrimination on grounds of race, religion, or national origin.
We hold that the National Quota System is as unjust now as when it was originally promulgated that that the criterion for admission to the United States should be the contributions immigrants can make to the American community and not either their place of birth or their ethnic ancestry.
The Meeting approves encouraging Georgia Senators and Representatives from Congressional Districts embracing metropolitan Atlanta to support by vigorous action pending legislation (S-500 - H.R. 2580) to correct existing inequities and approves delivery of a copy of this Minute to such persons. - September 1963: The Atlanta Meeting of the Religious
Society of Friends (Quakers), while holding our monthly business
meeting, has just learned of the bombing of BirminghamÍs 16th
Street Baptist Church. Our hearts and consciences are strongly
moved.
We urge full federal protection for innocent unarmed Birmingham citizens and full prosecution of office holders who defy federal law and thereby incite wanton violence like that which has killed five young people in Birmingham today.
We pray that all followers of Christ will uphold the non-violent many and seek new ways to redeem the sick and destructive few.
In our Meetings for Worship with Attention to Business, we often make public statements, called Minutes. Because we do all business by consensus, these Minutes represent the unanimous will of our entire community.