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Statement on War on Iraq from MFSA Executive Director It Is Within Our Power to Stop This War Statement by Kathryn J. Johnson, Executive Director The arrogance of the Bush Administration in threatening a preemptive, unilateral military strike against Iraq is stunning. Equally stunning is the fact that the citizenry of the US has not used its power to stop the administration in its tracks by declaring that such action would be illegal, immoral and unconscionable. In the name of security, the administration is moving toward unleashing a war that threatens the security not only of the region, but indeed the entire globe. In the name of protecting lives, the administration threatens to take actions that will inevitably lead to massive casualties, both civilian and military. In the name of stopping a dictator, the administration compromises our own democratic freedoms, stating that action will be taken with or without the consent of the elected representatives of the people. As followers of Christ, we must diligently seek alternatives to war and violence. Clearly, in the current situation, our government has not come close to exhausting all of the avenues for non-violent action that are open to us. To threaten Saddam Hussein with attack is to create the very situation in which he is most likely to strike out using the very weapons that we deplore. Saddam Hussein is a brutal dictator who has demonstrated his disregard for the well-being of the Iraqi people. It is imperative that the world community work together to keep him from inflicting further pain and destruction within his own nation and prevent him from striking out beyond his borders. The Bush Administration must cease threatening to act unilaterally and turn instead to working with international institutions that represent our best hope for peace at this time in history. Members of Congress must take a stand, insisting that the Bush administration pursue cooperative multilateral approaches to dealing with the regime of Saddam Hussein. Citizens must be willing to raise their voices publicly for peace. They must hold their Senators and Representatives accountable, insisting that they take action. United Methodists and other persons of faith must take a stand for life, not death. Lay persons must hold their clergy accountable to speak the prophetic word and clergy must be fearless in their proclamation of the things that make for peace. We are all complicit in the actions that unfold in the weeks ahead. The blessing of living in a democracy carries with it the responsibility to make our voices heard. It is within our power to stop this war now. I pray that we use it.. |