As leaders and members of First Mennonite Church, Allentown, we deplore the U.S. military attack on Iraq. We believe that war will not sow peace and security. We call for the immediate end to military action and the resumption of diplomatic efforts under the auspices of the U.N.
Our Mennonite witness is rooted in Christian faith that asks us to seek the peace and welfare of all, including our enemies. We do not offer vain hope in naïve solutions. Rather, history shows that nonviolent solutions can bring substantive change -- the civil rights movement in the United States, the changing governments in Poland, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the dismantling of apartheid in South Africa are just a few examples. Jesus of Nazareth accepted suffering and death instead of responding to violence with violence.
We believe that --
1. War causes enormous, useless human suffering.
War will make a bad situation worse. God calls us as humans not to increase the suffering of friends or foes, but to ease their pain and despair, and to respect the sanctity of human life.
2. War cannot sow seeds of peace and security.
War does not increase security for the United States or Middle East countries. It is increasing the rising tide of anti-American sentiment, broadening the divide between the West and the Arab world, and further destabilizing the region by fueling more radical elements.
3. Christian faith calls us to overcome evil with good.
Wise governments will do the same. By resorting to the aggressive use of weapons, the United States succumbs to the evil it condemns.
There are alternatives to war that will increase security in the Middle East and for the United States. Mennonites share the goal of increased security for U.S. citizens and for all the people of the world, but peaceful security is a better change-agent than war. There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
We urge all people of faith and reason to join us in opposing war on Iraq.
Signed,
The people of First Mennonite Church, Allentown