Faith & Order Statements

To: Moravians and Other Christians in the United States and Around the World

Subject: A Plea and a Prayer for Peace

Regarding: The Current Crisis in the United States

As we draft this statement the possibility that the United States will attack the nation of Iraq looms large. The Administration of President George W. Bush believes that the disarmament of Iraq and the removal of Saddam Hussein is a necessary step toward victory in the War on Terrorism, which began after the travesty of September 11, 2001.

Hitherto, the United States has worked within the framework of the United Nations, NATO, and with allies in the Middle East to confront the threat posed by Iraq. Even up to the present hour, the United States, along with its closest ally, Great Britain, is working to build a coalition among the nations of the UN Security Council and the world for confronting Saddam Hussein with demand for disarmament. For that reason, we continue to hope that a political solution might be reached.

The thought of war is terrible. It is also alarming to think that the United States might attack the nation of Iraq without the support of the UN or our allies. In the midst of this current crisis, the Moravian Inter-Provincial Faith and Order Commission asks the President and Congress of the United States, our fellow North Americans, and the members of the Moravian Church in America to consider prayerfully the following points:

1. Great power brings with it great responsibility. From a position of strength the United States can act to bring the violence to an end, by breaking the vicious cycle of death and destruction. The risk of more American deaths due to terrorism may be a reality. But must we add to that the certainty of Iraqi and American deaths on the field of battle?

2. Any nation which seeks to wage war without the support of the community of nations sets itself up as an arrogant nation, which is to be feared rather than respected, loathed rather than loved. Perhaps it is time for Americans to ask why more and more of the people of the world have questioned our motives. The fact that a former generation of Americans once “saved the world for democracy” does not thereby guarantee our own nobility.

3. The 1991 War resulted in some 250 American dead and tens of thousands of Iraqi dead, each of whom was of inestimable value in the sight of God. War is costly.

4. The United States of America, long one of the great powers of the world, has been reluctant to engage in a “First Strike,” in which we would be the aggressor in war. Up to this point we have been influenced by the doctrine of Just War, taking up arms only to defend ourselves, and our weaker allies. Is this a time for our nation to surrender the moral high ground in the matter of keeping the peace and waging war?

5. Finally, we share several concerns with our fellow Christians. Individual Christians, acting under great duress, have and will perhaps continue to take up arms when the demands of conscience make it an absolute necessity. Nevertheless, Jesus Christ, whom we believe to be the Eternal Word of God who was Incarnate in the man Jesus of Nazareth, always calls us to peace. Though individual Moravians have gone to war when necessity demanded it, the Moravian Church historically has aligned itself with those churches and Christians around the world who have prayed for, acted for, and lived for peace.

As we call for the continuation of our prayers for peace, there are three concerns that engage us above all else:

1. We remember those of our number who are in military service. This plea and prayer is for them. We remember the words of Jesus, “Greater love hath no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). We hope and pray that they will not be called to that ultimate sacrifice.

2. We remember President Bush and his Administration. We ask God’s wisdom and guidance for them. The President and Congress carry a responsibility that we do not. If we go to war, let it be from necessity, and let that necessity be freely undertaken by the American people and by the nations of the world.

3. We remember all those persons who stand in harm’s way through no fault of their own, Americans and Iraqis alike. Soldiers will die in battle. Parents and spouses will mourn. Innocent people will be killed. Hate is a seed that, once planted, will continue to grow. With our brothers and sisters in Christ from all nations, let us instead sow seeds of peace.

The Inter-Provincial Faith and Order Commission of the Moravian Church in America
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
March 11, 2003

	The Moravian Interprovincial Faith & Order Commission
	Statements of the Moravian Interprovincial Faith & Order Commission
[BACK] On Entering a War with Iraq Forwarded to the Provincial Elders Conference (PEC): 3/03 Adopted by Northern Province PEC: 3/03 Adopted by Southern Province PEC: 3/03 From: The Moravian Inter-Provincial Faith and Order Commission The Provincial Elders’ Conference, South The Provincial Elders’ Conference, North To: Moravians and Other Christians in the United States and Around the World Subject: A Plea and a Prayer for Peace Regarding: The Current Crisis in the United States As we draft this statement the possibility that the United States will attack the nation of Iraq looms large. The Administration of President George W. Bush believes that the disarmament of Iraq and the removal of Saddam Hussein is a necessary step toward victory in the War on Terrorism, which began after the travesty of September 11, 2001. Hitherto, the United States has worked within the framework of the United Nations, NATO, and with allies in the Middle East to confront the threat posed by Iraq. Even up to the present hour, the United States, along with its closest ally, Great Britain, is working to build a coalition among the nations of the UN Security Council and the world for confronting Saddam Hussein with demand for disarmament. For that reason, we continue to hope that a political solution might be reached. The thought of war is terrible. It is also alarming to think that the United States might attack the nation of Iraq without the support of the UN or our allies. In the midst of this current crisis, the Moravian Inter-Provincial Faith and Order Commission asks the President and Congress of the United States, our fellow North Americans, and the members of the Moravian Church in America to consider prayerfully the following points: 1. Great power brings with it great responsibility. From a position of strength the United States can act to bring the violence to an end, by breaking the vicious cycle of death and destruction. The risk of more American deaths due to terrorism may be a reality. But must we add to that the certainty of Iraqi and American deaths on the field of battle? 2. Any nation which seeks to wage war without the support of the community of nations sets itself up as an arrogant nation, which is to be feared rather than respected, loathed rather than loved. Perhaps it is time for Americans to ask why more and more of the people of the world have questioned our motives. The fact that a former generation of Americans once “saved the world for democracy” does not thereby guarantee our own nobility. 3. The 1991 War resulted in some 250 American dead and tens of thousands of Iraqi dead, each of whom was of inestimable value in the sight of God. War is costly. 4. The United States of America, long one of the great powers of the world, has been reluctant to engage in a “First Strike,” in which we would be the aggressor in war. Up to this point we have been influenced by the doctrine of Just War, taking up arms only to defend ourselves, and our weaker allies. Is this a time for our nation to surrender the moral high ground in the matter of keeping the peace and waging war? 5. Finally, we share several concerns with our fellow Christians. Individual Christians, acting under great duress, have and will perhaps continue to take up arms when the demands of conscience make it an absolute necessity. Nevertheless, Jesus Christ, whom we believe to be the Eternal Word of God who was Incarnate in the man Jesus of Nazareth, always calls us to peace. Though individual Moravians have gone to war when necessity demanded it, the Moravian Church historically has aligned itself with those churches and Christians around the world who have prayed for, acted for, and lived for peace. As we call for the continuation of our prayers for peace, there are three concerns that engage us above all else: 1. We remember those of our number who are in military service. This plea and prayer is for them. We remember the words of Jesus, “Greater love hath no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). We hope and pray that they will not be called to that ultimate sacrifice. 2. We remember President Bush and his Administration. We ask God’s wisdom and guidance for them. The President and Congress carry a responsibility that we do not. If we go to war, let it be from necessity, and let that necessity be freely undertaken by the American people and by the nations of the world. 3. We remember all those persons who stand in harm’s way through no fault of their own, Americans and Iraqis alike. Soldiers will die in battle. Parents and spouses will mourn. Innocent people will be killed. Hate is a seed that, once planted, will continue to grow. With our brothers and sisters in Christ from all nations, let us instead sow seeds of peace. The Inter-Provincial Faith and Order Commission of the Moravian Church in America Winston-Salem, North Carolina March 11, 2003