6th February 2003
Dear Friends in Christ,
Over the last week the leaders of several churches have been working to take what action we can in light of the worsening situation facing the people of Iraq. A joint statement is being released on Sunday 9th February, and a copy of that is attached. I commend it to you.
I write just after the United States have presented their case for action against Iraq to the United Nations Security Council. Initial reports indicate that the United States have not provided the Security Council with enough evidence to convince key member states to agree to immediate attacks. The claims of the United States and Iraq continue to be contradictory, and it is not possible to know all the facts.
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There are many facets of the situation, as we know it, which we might think about.
When is there, or is there ever, enough evidence for a nation to launch a legitimate pre-emptive strike against another nation with the inevitable loss of life and suffering to innocent people?
When is it possible to say that the time for talking and negotiation is past?
Is there any material difference between the threatened attacks on Iraq and indiscriminate terrorist acts? Can one be justified while denouncing the other as evil?
What are the root causes for terrorist acts and the threatened war?
Who is a United States led attack protecting, Iraqi people or American interests?
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There can be little doubt that the regime in Iraq is a brutal dictatorship that oppresses many of the Iraqi people. This is not unique to Iraq. But in the present situation we have to question whether violent intervention from outside will bring the change the people of Iraq seek. Violence breeds violence and will bring neither peace nor security.
Our faith is that the world and its resources are God's gifts, and that, if cared for and used wisely, there is enough for every person to live a full life. There will be peace only when every person has food, shelter and access to education and health. The hoarding of the world's resources by a few, or their misuse in war, are acts against the will of God.
I invite you to take practical actions that are appropriate for you to declare your opposition to the attacks that are threatened, to express your faith in the sufficiency of God's gifts, to stand with American and Iraqi people of good will, and with peace seeking people around the world. I invite you, above all, to pray and continue to pray that God's way will prevail. I invite you to challenge the voices that say it is beyond us to achieve anything.
Yours in the service of Christ,
Michael Thawley
MODERATOR
Church Leaders Statement on Iraq
What can people of peace do? - Some practical responses to the ever increasing threat of war in Iraq