Seventh-day Adventists commemorated the anniversary of 9/11 at the United Nations in New York while attending the UN Conference entitled "Rebuilding Societies Emerging from Conflict: A Shared Responsibility."
Seventh-day Adventists commemorated the anniversary of September 11 at the United Nations in New York while attending the U.N. Conference entitled “Rebuilding Societies Emerging from Conflict: A Shared Responsibility.”
After observing a period of silence and prayer, Adventist Church leaders issued a statement read by Robert E. Lemon, treasurer at the Adventist Church’s world headquarters. In the statement read outside the U.N. building in New York, Lemon spoke of those who had died, including members of the Adventist Church, during the attacks on September 11, 2001.
“Seventh-day Adventists stand with all others gathered here in New York to mark the first anniversary of September 11,” said Lemon. “Like everyone else, we were appalled at the attacks that took so many lives and caused such terrible destruction. We also grieved the loss of friends and loved ones, and suffered together with the families that were torn apart by the events of that horrific day.”
Lemon also called for the rejection of violence and condemned the use of religion for terrorist objectives.
“In the events of September 11 we see the tragic results of the hijacking of religion for evil ends, the taking of innocent lives for some perverse attempt to make a statement. We totally reject the use of violence in attempting to resolve the problems of this world, and call on all people of good faith to do all they can to live together in harmony, toleration, and mutual respect.”
He concluded with a re-commitment of the church to peace and Christian values as expressed in the life and work of Jesus Christ.
“On this first anniversary we can think of no better place to be than to stand here and commemorate the lives lost, and to reaffirm our commitment to peace and goodwill to all. Our message is that of Jesus Christ who came to save humanity, to end such acts of evil, and to establish His eternal kingdom when He will “wipe every tear from our eyes,” where there will be “no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things will have passed away.”
Adventist participation at the conference was coordinated by the Adventist Church’s U.N. liaison office of the public affairs and religious liberty department, which represents the church at many U.N. summits, conferences, and committees.