wfn.org | United Methodists speak out on terrorism, related violence

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Sept. 13, 2001 News media contact: Thomas S.
McAnally7(615)742-54707Nashville, Tenn.     10-21-71B{389}

NOTE: This may be used as a sidebar to UMNS story #388.

By United Methodist News Service

Delegates to the international General Conference, the only body that speaks
officially for the United Methodist Church, condemn terrorism and call
members to action in a resolution that has been in force since 1992.

The elected body, consisting of clergy and lay members from around the
world, noted that the increase of terrorism since the 1970s had created a
"sense of hopelessness and instability" and revealed the weakness in the
"present world system of international peace and security at home."

The terrorism document was adopted by the subsequent two General Conferences
in 1996 and 2000 and appears on page 786 in the current edition of the
church's Book of Resolutions.

Resolutions in the book do not have the force of church law but are intended
to guide the production of official church educational resources and
resource materials. They also serve as "guides and models for helping United
Methodist members and groups relate a lively biblical faith to action in
daily life."

The 350-word statement on terrorism condemns all terrorist acts, "with no
exception for the target or the source," and calls on United Methodist
Christians to do eight things:
7	Examine critically the causes of terrorism, including national and
international involvement.
7	Firmly support the United Nations as an agency for conflict
resolution and as a viable alternative to resorting to war and/or terrorism.
7	Stand against terrorist acts in the forms of retaliation or capital
punishment.
7	Urge the president of the United States to repudiate violence and
the killing and victimizing of innocent people.
7	Oppose the use of indiscriminate military force to combat terrorism,
especially where the use of such force results in casualties among
noncombatant citizens who are not themselves perpetrators of terrorist acts,
and urge the support of United Nations Resolution 40-61, which addresses
international cooperation regarding terrorist acts.
7	Condemn the use of extremist tactics that lead to violence within
our own domestic society as an expression of ideological differences, racism
and anti-Semitism.
7	Direct the United Methodist Board of Church and Society to formulate
a study to show how to deal with acts of terrorism that we face as a society
and give direction as to how the church and annual conferences' leaders and
members can and should respond.
7	Continue to support the U.S. ban on assault rifles, as they are the
weapons of choice by individuals and organizations implementing terrorist
activities both at home and abroad.

The study requested of the Board of Church and Society has not been
conducted, according to the agency's top staff executive, Jim Winkler. "We
get a great many directives from the General Conference, but we have limited
money and resources," he said.  "It is up to the board to prioritize the
directives ... and the board did not rank this (in 1992) as one of the top
priorities to deal with." Given the events of this week, he said the request
for a study is being given high priority and will be placed on the agenda
for the governing members when they meet Oct. 11-14.
 
Related statements can be found in five locations in the church's Social
Principles, contained in both the Book of Discipline and Book of
Resolutions, which are produced every four years after each General
Conference. A statement on military service (Para. 164G) deplores war and
urges peaceful settlement of all disputes among nations. Other statements
include "National Power and Responsibility" (Para. 165B), "War and Peace"
(Para. 165C), "Justice and Law" (165D), and "Criminal and Restorative
Justice" (164F).

Additional statements found in the Book of Resolutions include:
*  "Restorative Justice" (page 603);
*  "Our Muslim Neighbors" (page 743);
*  "Consequences of Conflict" (page 762); and
*  "The United Methodist Church and Peace" (page 788).

The documents can be read online by going to the church's Web site at
http://infoserv.umc.org/ and clicking on "National Tragedy." Copies of the
Book of Resolutions and Book of Discipline may be purchased through
Cokesbury, (800) 672-1789.

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United Methodist News Service
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