FCNL Policy Statement
The FCNL General Committee, or board of governors, determines the legislative policy and priorities of the organization. The FCNL Policy Statement sets forth FCNL's broad objectives for public policy. The General Committee revises and updates the Policy Statement on an ongoing basis. FCNL's legislative priorities for each Congress are drawn from the policy statement.
The General Committee approved the current Policy Statement in November 2003. The statement will be revised again in 2013. Find out how you give input to this process.
Download the FCNL Policy Statement.
The Friends Committee on National Legislation is composed of members of the Religious Society of Friends who bring spiritual values to bear on public policy decisions. Our legislative policy grows out of our basic belief that there is that of God in every human being and that God’s love endows all creation with worth and dignity. Through individual and corporate worship we try to be open to the will of God and to express the spirit of Christ in all relationships and levels of interaction, whether personal, communal, national, or global ...
Friends long have found inspiration in George Fox's words that we should live "in the virtue of that life and power that [takes] away the occasion of all wars."1 We believe that peace throughout the world is God's will and is attainable. True security results from a culture of peace, including a healthy environment, a fair and sustainable economic life, democratic participation, an educated population, personal well-being, and healthy families. Peace and security can be achieved only by peaceful means.
"What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" Friends' testimony calls for right relationships among people and between individuals and God. Governments are instituted, in part, to promote and protect basic human rights. These are rights, not mere privileges subject to easy denial. Friends acknowledge the indispensable role of government in safeguarding the integrity of our society and the essential dignity of all human beings. Citizens have the responsibility to participate vigorously in making government more responsive, open, and accountable.
"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these . . . ye have done it unto me." We believe that God dwells in each human soul, and therefore it is the birthright of all persons to live a life of dignity with access to the basic necessities for human growth and development. Accordingly, we believe that all members of society should take responsibility for each other, not only to provide the essentials of life but also to ensure an opportunity for meaningful work and recreation so that each can contribute to society according to his or her abilities. Society benefits when families and communities make commitments to care for their members.
"The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein." We believe that humankind must respect the ecological integrity and the sacredness of the natural world. People must choose activities, create institutions, and establish policies and laws that are beneficial to the earth and will help protect and regenerate its ecosystems.
