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WHAT THEY WERE SAYING 30 YEARS AGO | ECHOES FROM A DECADE INDEX
Echoes from the 1960's
"There will be those among the militants who will accuse us of fronting for the
'pigs' and those among the police who will suspect us of being Communist dupes
out to undermine the forces of law and order."
Ross Flanagan, Quaker specialist in community conflict and consultant to the
NCC in its efforts to obtain equal treatment for all by law enforcement following
the summer 1968 "police riot" in Chicago.
"If such [conscientious] objectors are not entitled to exemption and therefore
compelled to refuse induction, the U.S. Department of Justice should begin
prosecuting all of the 180 Catholic bishops, archbishops and cardinals in the
U.S. for counselling resistance to the draft."
From a report of an NCC friend-of-the court brief supporting a suit to obtain
recognition of the Roman Catholic "just war" doctrine-and its corollary that some
wars are unjust.
"Western man is no longer willing to tolerate mass starvation."
Attributed to Church World Service executive director James MacCracken on his
return from Biafra where, he reported, deaths from starvation had dropped from
7,000 per day to 200, due to food flown in by churches and the Red Cross.
"We have come out of the phase of architectural exhibitionism, characterized by
extravagant roofs and parabolic sides."
Robert L. Durham of the American Institute of Architects, at the 30th National
Conference on Religious Architecture, where "simplicity and functionality " fit
the mood of churches engaged in social action concerns.
"How long should men have to struggle for reasonable goals, non-violently?"
Joe Serda, Los Angeles Boycott Coordinator, who with Chris Hartmire of the
California Migrant Ministry, was fasting to gain recognition for a grape workers'
union. The NCC supported the fast.
"There's no glossing over the fact that up until this time at no level in our
country has the response been adequate to the needs and problems that affect
black people and other minorities."
Charles S. Spivey, Jr., head of the NCC Social Justice Department, responding
to the Black Manifesto during an appearance on the Huntley-Brinkley Show.
"It would be great for all of us. We could learn from them, and they from us."
Cynthia Wedel, then associate general secretary for Christian unity, predicting a
time when NCC member communions and "conservative churches" might work together.
"Churches were advised today not to call the police when their worship services are
disrupted, 'unless the disturbance is dangerous or destructive' [but should respond
in such a way] that a serious dialogue is generated."
The advice of Dr. Jon L. Regier, NCC associate general secretary during an era of
protest and dissent.
"Poised on the threshold of man's first path on the moon, we share the faith and
awe and wonder of the [psalmist] of ancient Israel as the immensity of the universe
invites and challenges our race."
From an NCC prayer for the moon astronauts.
"Europeans realize there is poverty in America, but not the long-term pockets of
poverty that we maintain."
Owen Brooks, director of the NCC's Delta Ministry in Mississippi, which received
60 percent of its budget from Europeans "astonished" at the need for the project.
"We want to join you in honoring Christ on the day of His birth in the most significant
way by celebrating together an unconditional cease-fire declared by your government on
Christmas Eve."
Message from the Vietnamese Buddhist delegation at the Paris peace talks.
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