wfn.org | [UMNS-ALL-NEWS] UMNS# 206-Delegates call for world peace, end to war in Iraq

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Delegates call for world peace, end to war in Iraq

>May. 15, 2008

NOTE: Photographs are available at http://umns.umc.org.

>By Kathy L. Gilbert*

FORT WORTH, Texas (UMNS) - The Iraq war, world peace and prayers for
members of the armed forces and veterans were on the hearts and minds of
delegates to the 2008 United Methodist General Conference.

The denomination's lawmaking body approved petitions calling for an
immediate end to the war in Iraq, a ban on cluster bombs, the prevention
of "space weaponization" and study of the "degrading effects that war
crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide have on the victims, the
perpetrators and on those who silently stand by."

The statement on space weaponization calls for the rejection of any
nation's efforts to "weaponize" space and urges all nations to pursue
the "peaceful and collaborative development of space technologies and of
outer space itself."

Other petitions approved include a statement on war and peace and the
"high toll" war exacts on young people; a call for support and services
for rebuilding Iraq; and an affirmation that the U.S. military should
not exclude people from service on the basis of sexual orientation or
gender identity.

The General Conference was held in the Fort Worth Convention Center
April 23-May 2. The assembly meets every four years to set policy and is
the only body that speaks for The United Methodist Church. Its
resolutions on a wide range of issues are collected in the
denomination's Book of Resolutions, revised every four years.

>Peace in Iraq

A revised resolution on peace in Iraq was adopted by a vote of 836-28.
United Methodists throughout the world are asked to pray for an
immediate end to the Iraq war and to support public policies that
promote peace, justice and reconciliation.

"The war in Iraq must end. It is a tragedy that wounds the heart of God.
Thousands of lives have been lost, millions of Iraqis have fled their
country, and hundreds of billions of dollars wasted in a war the United
States initiated and never should have fought," the resolution states.

In the resolution, the 2008 General Conference calls upon the U.S.
government to end the violence by developing and implementing a plan for
the immediate and safe withdrawal of U.S. and partner coalition troops
from Iraq. The government is also asked to work with Iraqis of good
will, the United Nations and nations in the Middle East to bring about a
peaceful, long-term resolution.

A separate new resolution on support and services for U.S. military and
rebuilding Iraq was approved.

"We call upon the government of the United States and its partners in
the Iraq war to provide full support and services for as long as needed
for returning veterans, especially for those wounded in body and spirit
by their experiences in the war," states the resolution. Medical
treatment, counseling, training for employment and a "generous pension"
are some of the services called for in the resolution.

The rebuilding of Iraq's infrastructure, especially the medical system,
is also on the list of concerns.

A copy of the resolution, "Support and Services for U.S. Military and
Rebuilding Iraq," will be sent to the U.S. president, vice president,
secretary of state, secretary of defense, congressional leadership and
leaders of partner countries with troops in Iraq.

>Instruments of peace

The United Methodist Division on Ministries with Young People's
statement on war and peace was adopted by a vote of 836-28. The division
is part of the Board of Discipleship. The Global Young People's
Convocation and Legislative Assembly drafted the statement during the
gathering held in South Africa at the end of 2006.

The statement says young people are among those sent to the front lines
of every war; the ones who pay the price of military action at the
expense of education, health and security; and among the least
represented in decision-making bodies.

"We empower all young people around the world to actively work for peace
within their churches, their communities and our world. We are the young
people of The United Methodist Church. We affirm God's clear call to be
instruments of peace in all corners of the world."

The General Conference also directed the denomination's Board of
Discipleship and Board of Church and Society to develop study materials
that will inform youth and young adults about theological issues
surrounding war and peace.

The paragraph in the Book of Discipline on war and peace (165.C) was
amended to include opposition to "unilateral first/pre-emptive strike
actions and strategies on the part of any government." It also states,
"As disciples of Christ, we are called to love our enemies, reject the
use of violence, seek justice and serve as reconcilers of conflict."

The petition, proposed by Methodists United for Peace with Justice, was
a return "to the historic, unconditional position of the Methodist
Church and Evangelical United Brethren Church that war is incompatible
with the teachings and example of Christ."

"A Call for Peacemaking" was adopted and will become a new resolution in
the 2008 Book of Resolutions. It calls for "United Methodist children,
youth and adults as devoted disciples of Jesus Christ to become
peacemakers." Bishops, local churches, annual conferences and the
denomination's boards and agencies are to incorporate peacemaking into
their regular programs and budgets.

Another new resolution calls for abolishing all nuclear weapons,
renounces the use of chemical or biological weapons, and strongly
protests unilateral first-strike actions and strategies. The U.S.
government is asked to work "with all deliberate speed" toward peaceful
resolutions of issues with Iran, North Korea, the Middle East and the
rest of the world and to reject any first-strike action by U.S. armed
forces anywhere.

Prayers and support are offered in resolutions that honor those who
choose to serve in the armed forces and for those who conscientiously
oppose all war.

*Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in
Nashville, Tenn.

News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470
or newsdesk@umcom.org.

>********************

United Methodist News Service Photos and stories also available at: http://umns.umc.org

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