[saymaListserv] IMP^o^ 142b Appendix E - Population Minute

[Mary Calhoun]

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IMP ^o^ Bulletin 142b
Revised population minute
coming before Yearly Meeting (June 20-23)
........................................................................
Appendix E (minute 11) - Spring Rep Meeting Minutes
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(from the Administrative Assistant;
    Appendix E supplied by Carol Lamm, Recording Clerk)


<|>    The text below is Appendix E, regarding population,
referred to by minute 11 from the 4-6-02 Rep Meeting.


<|>    The contact for work on the draft minute is Bob McGahey --
                1890 Hannah Branch Rd, Burnsville NC 28714
                mcgahey2 at wnclink.com  828-675-5535

<|>    Population Minute from Celo Monthly Meeting and
            Cookeville Worship Group
            (seasoned and revised by Yearly Meeting 2001)

    In accordance with Friends testimonies of equality, simplicity, and
harmony, we recognize the sacredness of all life, the interconnection of
all living things, and the balance required to sustain an acceptable
quality of life for all inhabitants of our planet. We are committed to
providing all children with a safe, loving, nourishing, and habitable
world in which to live. In October 1999, world human population
surpassed 6 billion, having doubled since 1960. At the present rate of
growth, it is likely to double again within the new century. The effects
of this rapid population growth, exacerbated by excessive consumerism,
threaten all of earth's creatures, placing insupportable demands on her
finite resources, creating unmanageable problems of waste disposal, and
intensifying environmental degradation.
    While remaining sensitive to the needs and values of all cultures,
we acknowledge our responsibility to become informed about world
population growth and the concerns it raises. Through our leadings and
sharings, we will seek knowledgeable, loving, and creative ways of
working towards effective and realistic solutions. These include
providing education on and means of contraception for both sexes,
encouragement of adoption as an alternative to having biological
children, and open support for those who choose not to procreate.
    Recognizing that the more prosperous countries have caused and
continue to cause the most serious environmental degradation, it is
essential that we who have more than we need strive toward a simpler,
less wasteful life-style.
    We offer this minute in a spirit of concern that while population
stabilization may be less of an issue in our countries, we understand
why larger families are important to others. We realize that for many
countries without the safety network of social security and government
aid programs, the large family is the primary care giver and protector
of the poor.
    Special emphasis must be given to measures to reduce poverty,
provide security for people as they age and empower women. Literacy,
equal social status, and the general education of women to broaden their
life choices are measures that not only improve their lives but help
delay childbirth and limit family size.
    We will work towards a more equitable sharing of the world's
resources and towards systems that will aid those in need with the
assurance that this will reduce the need for large families.
    We urge meetings to consider using queries such as those adopted by
Baltimore Yearly Meeting as an aid to the clearness for marriage
process, specifically addressing the issue of family size and the
consideration of adoption or foster care.
    Finally, we urge our government to renew contributions to the United
Nations Fund for Population Activities, a family planning lifeline for
couples in poor countries.

<|>    Baltimore Yearly Meeting Queries referenced above:

F. Marriage or Ceremony of Commitment under the Care of
            the Monthly Meeting
    1. Questions to be considered by the Couple before Application to
            the Monthly Meeting for Marriage or Ceremony of Commitment
            under its Care. . .
        d.  Have we explored our attitudes and vision for family life
                including:
             i)     Our attitudes toward sexuality?
             ii)    Whether we want children, and if so, how many?
             iii)   How we might jointly plan and take responsibility
                        for our family's growth in size?
             iv)    Whether we might consider adoption or foster care?
             v)     Our ideas about the sharing of family
                        responsibilities?
             vi)    The availability of family, meeting and community
                        support?
             vii)   How our family might reflect Friends' testimony of
                        simplicity and concerns for the environment
                        and world population?

~~~~~~ end ^o^ ~~~~~~ 1stpost 051102 ~~~~~~

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