wfn.org | Gay Denomination: Pursue Peaceful Resolution With Iraq

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

A Call For Peaceful Resolution To Conflict With Iraq
	   A Public Statement Metropolitan Community Churches
_____________________________________________
info@MCCchurch.org  .  www.MCCchurch.org

INTRODUCTION:
The Board of Elders of Metropolitan Community Churches, a predominantly 
gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Christian denomination, has issued 
this declaration of conscience and this call to peace.

Today we call for all governments, faith communities, and international 
justice organizations -- along with all people of goodwill -- to work for 
peace and to call for restraint in the conflict with Iraq.

We invite all clergy members and lay leaders of Metropolitan Community 
Churches to join as cosigners of this declaration. Endorsements may be 
e-mailed to info@MCCchurch.org and should include the signer's name as it 
should appear on public documents.

We further invite all MCC congregations to read this statement or reproduce 
it in newsletters and worship folders on Sunday, October 6 -- World 
Communion Sunday.

__________________________

PUBLIC STATEMENT:
Today America and Britain stand poised to go to war against the nation of 
Iraq and its people. Over the past 12 years international policies toward 
the Iraqi government have vacillated between support for Iraq in its quest 
to suppress opposition forces to vilification of the Iraqi nation as the 
personification of evil.

We call upon all people of faith and people of goodwill everywhere, 
especially our sisters and brothers in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and 
transgender communities who know first hand what it means to be vilified, 
labeled and violently attacked, and who also know how difficult it is to 
survive under such circumstances, to join with the friends and members of 
Metropolitan Community Churches to oppose any further acts of aggression 
against Iraq.

We must stand together unequivocally for peace.

This is neither an issue of political affiliation nor nationalistic 
loyalty. It is rather a deeply spiritual issue with potentially devastating 
consequences to God's world. It is a deeply spiritual issue in which we are 
called to enter into the mind and heart and will of God for all creation.

A US and British led war against Iraq carries significant and potentially 
catastrophic risks to our world, including:

-- The potential to further inflame and destabilize the already difficult 
situation in the Middle East.

-- The danger of provoking even greater hostility among Muslim and Arab 
peoples.

-- Military costs of $60 billion (US) or more -- funds which could be used 
to alleviate suffering in the world.

We must seriously ask ourselves:

-- What actions will best assure that United Nations' resolutions which 
have been agreed upon by the family of nations are honored and fulfilled?

-- What actions best promote just and right relationships between nations 
and among peoples?

-- What actions best preserve the earth and promote the equitable 
distribution of resources.

-- What actions -- both individually and governmentally -- promote 
hope-filled change and set people free to pursue change?

-- What actions pursue the noble ideals of reverence and sustenance of life?

War will only increase unrest and suffering in our world, deepen the 
hatreds that already divide America and Britain from Iraq and its allies, 
and divert international attention and resources from more critical issues 
including world poverty, a rapidly deteriorating ecological structure, and 
oppression of too many of the world's peoples.

In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, we are reminded of the unremitting 
horror and devastation of war.

Therefore:

-- We call upon Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to honor U.N. resolutions 
which have been agreed upon by the family of nations;

-- We call upon US President George Bush to exercise the same leadership he 
demonstrated in the aftermath of the events of September 11, 2001, in which 
he fostered peace by encouraging people of diverse faiths and cultures to 
come together to worship, and mourn, and understand, and remember.

-- We call upon all nations to avoid the dangerous precedent of the use of 
preemptive of military force and to seek peaceful resolution in 
collaboration with the United Nations.

In the aftermath of the events of September 11, 2001, as many people around 
the globe acknowledge taking their spiritual and religious lives more 
seriously, we call for the demonstration of the courage and conviction 
those spiritual paths inspire. Stand firm against aggression of any kind. 
Pray for God's will to prevail and bloodshed to cease. Pray for 
reconciliation with the people of Iraq and for peace among the nations. 
Contact political leaders and encourage support and resourcing for the 
nonviolent movements already underway in Iraq and around the world.

Together, the friends and members of Metropolitan Community Churches, as 
gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people of faith who have far too 
often known the pain of violence and hate, we proclaim that war is not the
way.

Justice is the path that will lead to peace on earth and to goodwill among 
the nations.

(END)

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

To Contact U.S. President Bush
Call the White House, Monday through Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM  EST time (or 5-2 
Pacific). The White House has a public opinion poll phone line. Phone the 
White House at 202-456-1111.  A machine will detain you a moment and then 
a  pleasant operator will thank you for saying "I oppose" or I "approve of" 
the proposed war against Iraq.

To Contact British Prime Minister Tony Blair
Send E-mail To: TONY.BLAIR@poptel.org.uk

To Contact U.S. Congresspersons & Senators
Locate mailing addresses and e-mail addresses at:
Contacting the Congress

To Contact Iraqi President Saddam Hussein:
His Excellency Saddam Hussein
President of the Republic of Iraq
c/o HE Dr. Saeed H. Hasan
Permanent Mission of Iraq to the United Nations
14 East 79th Street
New York, NY 10021

Unitarian Universalist Response
UU & the News UUA President Issues Pastoral Letter on Threat of War with Iraq

ELCA Response
ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson's Statement on Iraq Situation

World Council of Churches Response
American, Canadian, British Church Leaders Call on U.S. to 'Stop the Rush 
to War'

To Sign The Iraq Peace Pledge
Sign the Iraq Peace Pledge

Quaker Summit on Iraq
CAMPAIGN OF CONSCIENCE - Quaker Summit - Translating Faith into Deeds

Information on Iraq Peace Team
Iraq Peace Team STATEMENT

Activist Resources For Building Peace With Iraq
Iraq Peacebuilding Program - Guide to Iraq

Information on "End The War" Events
Home page of the National Network to End the War Against Iraq

Religion News Writers Symposium: Iraq and Just War Concepts?
Iraq war religion

Interfaith Network of Concern for the People of Iraq: Sanctions
10 Frequently Asked Questions about Iraq

World Council of Churches Statement on Iraq Situation
WCC calls on Iraq to respect UN, expresses alarm

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jim Birkitt
MCC Communications Department
8704 Santa Monica Boulevard, 2nd Floor
West Hollywood, CA  90069
Tel. (310) 360-8640, Ext. 226
E-Mail: info@MCCchurch.org