RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN SUPPORT
OF MEASURE 27
God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation:
herbage yielding seed, fruit trees yielding fruit each after its
kind, containing its own seed on the earth.” And it was so.
And the Earth brought forth vegetation: herbage yielding seed after
its kind, and trees yielding fruit, each containing its seed after
its kind. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:11-12
Religious traditions teach about the exquisite unity
and awesome beauty and wonder that God placed within creation. Religion
also instructs us about our responsibility to be stewards of creation.
We are told in Genesis 2:15 – God takes the newly created
human, and placed the human in the Garden of Eden to “cultivate
and protect it.”
The Bible provides us with insight about our role
as caretakers in creation. It is our belief that one of the expressions
of this responsibility is to be extremely careful before taking
any action that could bring harm to the well-being of God’s
creation. The use of genetically engineered foods is such an action.
Our conscience calls us to speak out about the proliferation
of these foods. We are greatly concerned that they are not adequately
tested and that they bring enormous risk to the natural order of
creation. We believe that at minimum producers of such foods have
the responsibilities to provide labeling that will allow consumers
who share our concern of conscience to know when they are purchasing
such as product. The ability to discern genetically engineered products
from those naturally grown allows us to make decisions based upon
our ethical commitments.
The psalmist reminds us, “The earth is the
Eternal One’s and the fullness thereof …” Let
us be careful stewards of God’s creation.
Join us in supporting Measure 27.
For a list of Oregon religious leaders urging
you to vote Yes on Measure 27, check www.labelgefoods.com.
Rabbi Yitzhak Husbands-Hankin
Rev. John Pitney
Father Robert W. Krueger
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