The Presbytery of Prospect Hill (in northwestern Iowa), in its meeting on November 9, endorsed unanimously the resolution adopted by GA Council and subsequently by the assembly of Lakes & Prairies: "Call for US Restraint on Iraq."

Detroit Presbytery calls for US military restraint
Endorses WCC statement "A call to stop the rush to war"

[10-7-02]

At its meeting of September 24, 2002 the Presbytery of Detroit adopted the following statement:

In the words of the Confession of 1967 we, the Presbytery of Detroit, confess that

"God's reconciliation in Jesus Christ is the ground of the peace, justice, and freedom among nations which all powers of government are called to serve and defend. The church, in its own life, is called to practice the forgiveness of enemies and to commend to the nations as practical politics the search for cooperation and peace. This search requires that the nations pursue fresh and responsible relations across every line of conflict, even at risk to national security, to reduce areas of strife and to broaden international understanding. Reconciliation among nations becomes peculiarly urgent as countries develop nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, diverting their manpower and resources from constructive uses and risking the annihilation of mankind. Although nations may serve God's purposes in history, the church which identifies the sovereignty of any one nation or any one way of life with the cause of God denies the Lordship of Christ and betrays its calling." (9.46)

Though we are fully aware of the dangers in our world, we are mindful that military solutions exact a terrible price and are likely to lead to further ills. At this moment in history, we believe it right and wise for the United Stated to exercise military restraint, especially in light of our allies' reservations, and to persist in the search for reconciliation and peace.

Therefore, be it resolved that the Presbytery of Detroit endorse the statement by the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches, "A call to stop the rush to war."

A call to stop the rush to war

As representatives and participants from the United States, British and Canadian churches meeting at the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches, we have heard and share the concern of those of other nations about the apparent drift towards military confrontation in Iraq.

As the calls for military action to remove Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq have grown louder, we call for restraint. We are concerned about the situation in Iraq. We believe that the Iraqi government has a duty to stop its internal repression, to end its threats to peace, to abandon its efforts to develop weapons of mass destruction, and to respect the legitimate role of the United Nations in ensuring that it does so. But we also believe that the international community is weakened and respect for law undermined when national governments act individually rather than collectively to secure these goals. We have watched with growing alarm as the United States government has become increasingly unilateral in its approach to foreign affairs, and has failed to heed the advice and counsel of friends and allies.
Although both the U.S. and U.K. governments have claimed that they have evidence that Saddam Hussein is building up weapons of mass destruction, they have so far refused to make that evidence public. This undermines democratic government by depriving the U.S. Congress and the U.K. Parliament of the ability to make a considered judgment regarding the justification for war. Furthermore, the United Nations Charter does not permit states to engage in pre-emptive war. We therefore urge our governments to pursue this matter through the United Nations Security Council: In particular, we urge that Saddam Hussein's offer to readmit U.N. Weapons Inspectors be accepted.

Our knowledge of and links with church partners in the Middle East and our unity in Christ with Christians there make us very sensitive to the destabilizing potential of a war against Iraq for the whole region. There is no support among the Arab nations for such a war and very little support in Europe and elsewhere. Christian/Muslim relations would be further harmed by such a war, and the possibility of such an action triggering direct military confrontation in Israel cannot be ignored. Further, the forces of extremism and terrorism would be strengthened rather than diminished.

As Christians, we are concerned by the likely human costs of war with Iraq, particularly for civilians. We are unconvinced that the gain for humanity would be proportionate to the loss. Neither are we convinced that it has been publicly demonstrated that all reasonable alternative means of containing Iraq's development of weapons of mass destruction have been exhausted. We call upon our governments to pursue these diplomatic means in active cooperation with the United Nations and to stop the apparent rush to war. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." (Matthew 5:9)

The Social Witness and Action Committee of The Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley has sent out a very helpful informational letter to all churches in the presbytery. Thanks to Janet Adair Hansen for sharing it with us.

[10-7-02]

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On Sunday October 6, the occasion of the Peacemaking Offering in Presbyterian Churches, the Social Witness and Action Committee of Susquehanna Valley Presbytery calls attention to recent actions by Presbyterian governing bodies and servants on the issue of threatened war with Iraq.

The General Assembly Council action Saturday September 28 issuing a "Call for Prayer and Action" to pray and work for peace.

The resolution adopted September 24 by Lackawanna Presbytery "On Preventing War Between the United States of America and Iraq"

The Church in Society column in October 2002 Presbyterians Today "Who Will Cry Halt?" by Vernon Broyles III, Associate Director for social justice ministries, PCUSA National Ministries Division.

We know that some churches in our presbytery are already holding forums on the issue of threatened war with Iraq, and urging response from a perspective of faith. The Social Witness and Action Committee urges individual, church and community study, discussion and action in regard to this issue, and encourages citizens to voice their opinion to their congressional representatives in the House and Senate, as well as to the President of the United States.

Contact information is provided below, and copies of the above-referenced statements are attached to this letter.

Praying that we indeed may be Peacemakers, children of God,

Your Social Witness and Action Committee

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