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Press Release from the Southeast Jurisdictional Leaders Methodist Federation for Social Action
March 28, 2002 For more information contact: Rev. George Ogle 770-419-8980 Rev. Rex Kaney 404-377-6481 SOUTHEAST JURISDICTIONAL MFSA LEADERS Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia earlier this month, leaders of the Methodist Federation for Social Action from the Southeast Jurisdiction issued a plea to United Methodist Bishops to speak out on the current crisis in U.S. Policy and the escalation of what began as a war in Afghanistan. In a letter to the members of the Council of Bishops, the Southern MFSA leaders thank the Bishops for their pastoral letter of November 5th. They go on to express concern, however, about the thousands of Afghan citizens who have been killed and the millions who have been sent into exile since that letter was written last fall. Noting the statement of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld that US Military forces may invade as many as 15 countries seems “tantamount to a declaration of World War III,” the letter goes on to address the issue of nuclear weapons: “The most disturbing news is the recent disclosure that the Pentagon is now considering having nuclear weapons available for use against seven countries on a first strike basis. The countries on the Pentagon’s list are Libya, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and North Korea, with Russia and China also being possible targets. This is a breathtaking shift away from the second strike policy of the cold war.” Stating that the budgetary cost of the projected war are staggering, the letter notes that “the huge resources spent on military build-up bring us no closer to genuine security as a nation.” The MFSA leaders urge UM Bishops to make a witness to US officials by taking the following steps:
The letter ends with an acknowledgement of the painful leadership decisions faced by the bishops and an appeal from scripture: "I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live..." (Deuteronomy 30:19). # # # The Methodist Federation for Social Action is an independent organization uniting United Methodist activists to promote action on justice, peace and liberation issues confronting the church and society. United Methodists and other concerned persons of faith who would like to participate in MFSA's witness for justice and peace can contact MFSA at 212 East Capitol Street, NE, Washington, DC 20003, 202-546-8806, mfsa@mfsaweb.org |
| Full Text of Letter to UM Bishops To our sisters and brothers in Christ in the Council of Bishops: grace and peace. We write to you out of a deep concern for the direction our country is moving. We are confident that each of you shares our anguish over the war and its prospective expansion. We thank you for your pastoral letter of November 5, 2002 where you articulated your concerns, both pastoral and prophetic, to the church. In that letter you expressed your conviction that “violence creates fear, desperation, hopelessness and instability.” Tragically, the truth of your statement has been demonstrated over these last weeks and months as armed warfare continues in Afghanistan and the spiral of violence becomes a daily reality for those in the Middle East. We urge you to build on the foundation of your first letter and speak out once again about what has become an escalating crisis. We are reaching out to you because we think the situation is so critical and because we believe that now, if ever, is a time for the church to let its light shine in a darkened world. We remember these words that Martin Luther King, Jr. addressed to the church during the Vietnam War: "In the terrible midnight of war men have knocked on the door of the church to ask for the bread of peace, but the church has often disappointed them. What more pathetically reveals the irrelevancy of the church in the present-day world affairs, than its witness regarding war. In a world gone mad with arms buildup, chauvinistic passions and imperialistic exploitation, the church has either endorsed these activities or remained appallingly silent. A weary world pleading desperately for peace has often found the church morally sanctioning war." We desperately need your leadership in confronting this crisis and in responding to Dr. King’s challenge. Here is a summary of the critical facts facing us now: As you know, in response to the tragic events of September 11, the United States Congress gave President Bush authority to conduct war in Afghanistan in pursuit of Osama bin Laden, the Taliban, and Al Qaeda. The ensuing war did disburse the Taliban, yet in that engagement thousands of Afghan civilians were killed and millions were sent into exile. Without any authorization from Congress, the Bush administration is in the process of expanding the war to other nations. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in a press conference promised that the war would "continue for a very long time" and that U.S. military forces may invade as many as fifteen countries. This seems to us tantamount to a declaration of World War III. The most disturbing news is the recent disclosure that the Pentagon is now considering having nuclear weapons available for use against seven countries on a first strike basis. The countries on the Pentagon’s list are Libya, Syria, Iraq, Iran and North Korea, with Russia and China also being possible targets. This is a breathtaking shift away from the second strike policy of the cold war. While the intent of this change is to deter "rogue" nations from engaging in chemical or biological warfare or the use of nuclear weapons, we believe that in fact, it will increase the possibility that nuclear weapons will be used. Countries that feel threatened by this policy change will work to acquire nuclear weapons, or to increase the power of weapons they already possess. The increased prospect of a nuclear war will exacerbate international tensions and will undermine efforts toward negotiated peace. Many nations already regard the United States as using its vast powers belligerently, and the unilateral decision to up the nuclear ante will only confirm those feelings. The budgetary costs of the projected war are staggering. The President has requested a $45.6 billion increase in military spending, bringing all defense-related programs close to $400 billion. This reallocation of funds will drain off resources desperately needed for health care, education, housing, jobs, day care and other social services These are the facts. We need to see them in the light of the gospel imperative to be peacemakers. Resolving conflicts through violent means leaves endless human suffering in its wake, and creates alienation among nations that will take decades to heal. We believe that the huge resources spent on military build-up bring us no closer to genuine security as a nation. Our national leaders need to hear this urgent plea to intervene in President Bush’s plans to expand this ghastly war. We feel that Christians, as followers of a man who lived out the nonviolent love of God, have a special obligation to witness to our officials. Therefore, we urge you, as leaders of our denomination, to consider taking the following steps:
Thank you for considering our plea. We are aware that these are difficult times for you as you face painful leadership decisions. Be assured that our hearts and our constant prayers are with you. We close with words we believe speak to the urgency of our time: "I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live..." (Deuteronomy 30:19). Your brothers and sisters in Christ, Leaders of the Methodist Federation for Social Action in the Southeast Jurisdiction |