Just say ‘No!’ to war in Iraq because it is morally wrong
(October 25) (Following is the text of anti-war presentations I
have made recently in Chicago and Washington, D.C., specifically urging my
audiences to “Say ‘No!’ to war in Iraq.” Please feel free to share it with
others.)
Why have we gathered to say “No!” to war in Iraq? The reasons are
multiple, and they include the following: Such a war is morally
indefensible; such a war is theo-logically reprehensible; and such a war is
politically lamentable.
Just say “No!” to war in Iraq because it is morally indefensible.
Do not be mistaken. There is no way to read or apply the criteria of the
Just War Theory that could justify this foolhardy adventure: It is not an
act of self-defense; all other options have not been exhausted; the
devastation envisioned is in no way proportional to the perceived original
aggression of Saddam Hussein; as was and is the case in Afghanistan, only
far more so, innocent civilians — particularly women and children — will not
be protected; and, there is not a reasonable prospect of success.
Remember, it was U.S. involvement in so-called regime changes earlier
that gave Osama bin Laden credibility and twice elevated Hussein to higher
positions of dictatorial power.
United Nations Resolution 661, championed by the United States when
enacted on Aug. 6, 1990, placed a full trade embargo on Iraq and, by the
U.N.’s own estimates, at least 1 million Iraqis have died as a result — most
of them children.
War has been in effect against the Iraqi people for more than a decade.
Such a malignant policy is bad enough. In fact, it is unconscionable. Now
our government is advocating all-out military action against these same
people. Not Hussein, but the people of Iraq will be the victims again. This
is morally indefensible, and it would be both unpatriotic and unfaithful for
us not to just say “No!” as clearly as we can.
Just say “No!” to war in Iraq because it is theologically
reprehensible.
A Muslim physician, the head of Global Trust in Kabul, Afghanistan, said
to a group of us in June, as we partici-pated in the detonation of the 1
millionth land mine by that non-governmental organization (860,000 in
Afghanistan alone): “We are all part of the one trunk. Muslims, Jews and
Christians are branches of the one holy trunk.” Dr. King was right: “We are
all tied together in one mutual garment of destiny. What affects one
directly, affects all indirectly.”
Jesus was clear about how his disciples were to treat others, including
perceived enemies. The United Methodist Church is equally clear about the
reprehensibility of war. Our Church officially says: War is incompatible
with the teachings and example of Christ. We therefore reject war as a usual
instrument of foreign policy and insist that the first moral duty of all
nations is to resolve by peaceful means every dispute that arises.” (The
Book of Discipline, page 121.)
Let it be said now: This proposed war is so theologically reprehensible
to believers in the one God of all, that people of faith, including United
Methodists, must be prepared for massive protests, including ongoing acts of
civil disobedience, should our government say “Yes” to war with Iraq.
Just say “No!” to war in Iraq because it is politically lamentable.
It defies international law, including Article 51 of the U.N. Charter; it
will destabilize further the Middle East and exacerbate the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict; President Bush’s first strike rhetoric is
anti-American and belies the best of U.S. ideals; war in Iraq will risk the
use of weapons of mass destruction in the region; it will cost somewhere
between $100 and $200 billion dollars, thus further neglecting the basic
health, education and welfare needs at home and abroad; it will establish
the need for a long-term U.S. presence in Iraq and the region, which
presence would be suspect, at best, in the world community; and, it will
further incense and radicalize the Islamic people thus creating a wider
chasm of misunderstanding and hatred between the Islamic world and the U.S.
Our children and grandchildren, as well as the children of Islam, will
pay the long-term price for such ignorance and vengeance.
Now is the time for people of faith to urge citizens and friends of this
nation to awaken, to gain knowledge and understanding, and to join in saying
an unequivocal “No!” to war with Iraq.
It is time to choose whom we will serve. Will it be the God of Abraham
and the Prince of Peace, or the perpetrators of a morally indefensible,
theologically reprehensible and politically lament-able foreign policy of
pre-emptive first strikes in the idolatrous pursuit of war?
As for the United Methodist house, we will serve the God of peace with
justice. I urge you and your house to do the same.
C. Joseph Sprague
Source:
Bishop Sprague's Commentaries (October 2002)
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