Should clergy shape war policy?
Q: The National Council of Churches, an ecumenical group of Christian denominations, this week announced a declaration urging President Bush to develop a timetable for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq and to reevaluate his policy on Iraq, which they say has failed. They also urged him to listen to a wider pool of religious advisors on the issue.
Do you agree with their declaration? And can/should religious advisors play a role in war policy?
A: Better late than never.
Religious leadership must always present the highest of ideals and ask/demand that society strive for them. If religious leaders took on the task of speaking out for justice, yes, President Bush -- and even more, our country -- would be better served with an expanded pool of religious advisors.
The saddest people in life are those who have no hope for tomorrow. Religion weaves the dreams of hope and it is up to society to wake up to actualize those dreams.
The most pressing dream of our day is that of peace. War robs the world of hope and, therefore, religion must talk the language of peace. It behooves every religious leader to guide and direct people toward the ideals -- truth, justice, freedom -- that bring peace.
It is about time the National Council of Churches came out with this call.
FR. VAZKEN MOVSESIAN
Armenian Church Youth Ministries
In Context:
While this topic is a controversial one, and while some members of my own congregation may disagree with me, I believe the National Council of Churches was right in urging the president to develop a timetable for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq. And the council was also right, I believe, to call for a reevaluation of the president's Iraq policy.
I personally was against this war from the beginning, and even said so from the pulpit on the last Sunday of 2002. I remain opposed to the war because of many reasons: no "Weapons of Mass Destruction" were ever found; no link was ever proven between Iraq and Al-Qaeda, the terrorist organization that is said to be responsible for what happened to us on Sept. 11, 2001; and the toll of American blood and treasure continues to flow with no end in sight. And I haven't even mentioned the price that countless numbers of Iraqis have paid and are paying.
Should religious advisors play a role in war policy? Of course they should. As the Israelite prophets of old spoke truth to power, so are we pastors called to do the same. The truth, as I see it, is that we have a tiger by the tail in Iraq, and we can't see how to get out. It's time for a new policy in Iraq.
THE REV. SKIP LINDEMAN
Congregational Church of the Lighted Window
United Church of Christ
La Cañada Flintridge
The traditional role of a chaplain in the Armed Forces is to support, uphold and strengthen the morale of the troops.
In times of conflict, the role of a chaplain is even more crucial for well-being of those in harm's way.
I believe the relationship of organized religion in regards to the Armed Forces should be similar to that of a chaplain and the men and women he serves: be there for them, support them and help them. Never undermine the mission.
It is easy for us from the comfort of our homes and houses of worship to use a cliché such as "the war has failed." However, the fact still remains that the president and his administration do not feel that way -- and all indictors tell us they won't be changing policy any time soon.
I suggest to all people of faith and members of the cloth: be positive.
Give those brave men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces all the support and love they need. These brave individuals stand ready to make the ultimate sacrifice for our country. The very least we can do is support their cause and make them feel that the country they serve -- specifically the clergy -- stand firmly beside them.
RABBI SIMCHA BACKMAN
Chabad Jewish Center
Glendale
Better late than never.
Religious leadership must always present the highest of ideals and ask/demand that society strive for them. If religious leaders took on the task of speaking out for justice, yes, President Bush -- and even more, our country -- would be better served with an expanded pool of religious advisors.
The saddest people in life are those who have no hope for tomorrow. Religion weaves the dreams of hope and it is up to society to wake up to actualize those dreams.
The most pressing dream of our day is that of peace. War robs the world of hope and, therefore, religion must talk the language of peace. It behooves every religious leader to guide and direct people toward the ideals -- truth, justice, freedom -- that bring peace.
It is about time the National Council of Churches came out with this call.
FR. VAZKEN MOVSESIAN
Armenian Church Youth Ministries
To put all this in perspective, let's look at some figures. The National Council of Churches represents about 45 million church members. According to its own Web page, 18,000 people have agreed with the council's governing board and signed a petition for troop withdrawal from Iraq. Obviously, the governing board does not have much support from within its own organization for its declaration.
Should religious leaders play a role in government policy? They always have. There isn't a time in recorded history when religious leaders have not tried to influence policy. More often than not, such leaders have made policy. It would be big news if the leaders of a religious organization ever encouraged people to think for themselves.
It is not news when an organization, whether liberal or conservative, tells people what they should think. That is just routine.
The National Council of Churches leadership has never seen a liberal policy that it could not embrace. A number of conservative organizations have leaders who have never seen a conservative policy that they could not embrace.
I doubt seriously that there will ever be a time when religious authorities come to the understanding that people not only want to think for themselves, but that they are perfectly capable of doing so. The pomposity of such "all-knowing" religious authorities staggers the imagination.
THOMAS E. WITHERSPOON
Minister
Unity Church of the Valley
La Crescenta
The National Council of Churches is calling believers to "speak out" in agreement with its agenda regarding American involvement in Iraq.
But God has already given the church a "first importance" message to proclaim: the gospel.
Paul wrote: "I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.... "
If this message is eclipsed by any other it is a symptom that the church has become sidetracked, or worse, hijacked.
I do believe that Christians should "speak out" on Iraq. But while we share our opinions on national policy let's be sure to obey Jesus' explicit commands. Let's tell people about him so they can have eternal life. Let's pray for our leaders, so that both Americans and Iraqis can live tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity. Let's obey the laws of our country and pay both taxes and proper respect to our leaders. And let's be patient and confident that God establishes any authority that exists.
PASTOR JON BARTA
Valley Baptist Church
Burbank
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War is darkness, peace is light.
Not until the United Nations, or a similar group of all of the nations of the world, can act to shut down outlaw nations whom are cruel and unjust to their citizenry will there be peace in the world. Not until there is equality for all of the people of the world will we have world peace.
Had this nation said no to Adolph Hitler in 1939, what would be the history of the world today?
Radical groups who call themselves followers of the Prophet Muhammad have upset the equilibrium in that area of the world.
This nation has said no to the injustices to the people in the Middle East, and Iraq is a beginning.
The National Council of Churches should be more concerned with the suffering in Africa and leave the military actions of this government in the hands of its elected representatives.
BARBARA CRAMER
Secretary
Baha'i Faith
Glendale
My church has the unique distinction of being dually aligned with both the Southern and the American (i.e. Northern) Baptist denominations. Both developed their own personalities over the years, but their common heritage blends well in our congregation. One difference is their association with the National Council of Churches. The Southern Baptists disavow any, while the American Baptists were actually founding members (believing that Christians united in common cause was a good thing).
Over the years the council has progressively leaned left, and its causes seem less universally Christian, and more politically specific. This has moved numbers of denominational churches to withdraw support. When the National Council of Churches makes declarations claiming that they have the support of millions, you may take it with a very big chunk of salt.
None of us wants war, but this recent ultimatum given to President Bush is a last-ditch effort of the council to make its voice heard, and to sound significant, before it finally drifts off into obscurity.
There is "a time for war and a time for peace" (Ecclesiastes 3:8).
THE REV. BRYAN GRIEM
Senior pastor
Light On The Corner
Montrose