Church calls for phase-out

[Sue Doersch <doersch@win.bright.net>]

I appreciate the science/technology oriented tone of this list.  
Here's a short break from science.  Old news, but even though 
I'm a Methodist, I just heard it:

"GENERAL CONFERENCE ADOPTS NEW RESOLUTIONS ON ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE, by Jaydee R. Hanson

"The General Conference of the United Methodist Church met
in April and adopted a number of new resolutions on subjects
related to environmental justice.  Several long standing
resolutions were also amended or replaced.

"A major new resolution "A DIOXIN-FREE FUTURE," was adopted
by General Conference after petitions were submitted from
both the California-Nevada and the Western Pennsylvania
Annual Conferences.  The resolution calls for a phase-out of
the sources of dioxin, beginning with immediate action on
the three biggest sources of dioxin: incineration of
chlorine containing wastes, bleaching of pulp and paper with
chlorine, and the entire life cycle of polyvinyl chloride
(PVC) plastic.  Both the General Boards of Church and
Society and Global Ministries are directed to work with
companies, governments, and medical institutions to
implement the resolution.

<snip news of resolutions on other environmental issues>

"Two key sections of the Social Principles of the United
Methodist Church related to the Natural World were
extensively amended.  Paragraph 70A on Water, Air, Soil,
Minerals, Plants was amended to include language calling for
the elimination of toxic and nuclear waste and the reduction
of municipal waste.  A new resolution replaces paragraph 70E
on Science and Technology.  The new language is more
reserved about the benefits of science, but recognizes the
validity of science in describing the natural world.
Science and theology are seen as complementary, not
incompatible, and the two communities are urged to be in
dialogue.

<snip conclusion>"

from _Environmental Justice News_, Summer 1996, published by
the Ministry of God's Creation, United Methodist General
Board of Church and Society

(The General Conference of the United Methodist Church
worldwide meets every four years.)