Released by:   Ray Dabrowski                 
Phone:    +30-955-324 (June 29-July 8, 1995) or +301-680-6300    
               
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 5, 1995

ADVENTIST STATEMENT CALLS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL
STEWARDSHIP

Utrecht, The Netherlands... In a statement released at the 56th World
Congress of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Church advocates
that every person is a  steward of the earth and needs to rule the
natural environment in a faithful and constructive way.  The statement
was released by the Office of the President, Robert S. Folkenberg,
after being adopted by the Administrative Committee of the General
Conference.  
     The statement, entitled "The Environment," reads as follows:
     "Seventh-day Adventists believe that humankind was created in
the image of God, thus representing God as His stewards, to rule the
natural environment in a faithful and fruitful way.
     "Unfortunately, corruption and exploitation have been brought
into the management of the human domain of responsibility.
Increasingly men and women have been involved in a megalomaniacal
destruction of the earth's resources, resulting in widespread suffering,
environmental disarray, and the threat of climate change. While
scientific research needs to continue before definitive answers and
decisions can be given, it is becoming clear that the increasing
emission of destructive gasses, the depletion of the protective mantel
of ozone, and the so-called greenhouse effect are all threatening the
earth's eco-system.   
     "These problems are largely due to human selfishness and the
egocentric pursuit of getting more and more through ever-increasing
production, unlimited consumption and depletion of nonrenewable
resources. The ecological crisis is rooted in humankind's greed and
refusal to practice good and faithful stewardship within the divine
boundaries of creation.
     "Seventh-day Adventists advocate a simple, wholesome
lifestyle, where people do not step on the treadmill of unbridled
consumerism, goods-getting, and production of waste. We call for
respect of creation, restraint in the use of the world's resources,
reevaluation of one's needs, and reaffirmation of the dignity of created
life."
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