Report of the Deputy General Secretary
to the
Women’s Division
April 6, 2003

Images of war have filled our television screens the last several weeks. Newspapers have had entire sections devoted to reporting on the day to day details of the war effort. The number of US flags on vehicles and porches has increased again in many communities. Conversations in the local coffee shops, schools, businesses and churches have centered on the pros and cons of this war in Iraq. Families are being torn apart as men and women are deployed to the war zone. Crying is heard in the streets as casualties are increasing on both sides. Pro-war and anti-war demonstrations/rallies are being held, with the anti-war efforts drawing millions of people around the world. The two sides are now into labeling and name calling with such words as patriot, unpatriotic, un-American, soft on evil, etc being yelled on the air waves and across the demonstrations. Many are raising questions of faith as they struggle with their conflicting emotions: Where is God when we need God? What would Jesus do? Can I be for this war and still be a Christian? Can I be against this war and still be a Christian? What is God asking me to do and be in the midst of this conflict?

In an editorial in the Christian Science Monitor on March 19, 2003 I read these words: "The antiwar movement didn’t win the majority of Americans nor deter President Bush from launching this war...but it raised vital questions, which still need answers, about the new US strategy to fight global terrorism" The editorial goes on to say that the questions of preemptive war may need to be raised and faced once again regarding North Korea and "in wartime, dissent is needed to make sure the government is still asking the right questions, especially in plans for war’s aftermath." Then the closing words: "Both US soldiers and war dissenters are performing a public service. And both are patriots."

Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia in the late afternoon of March 19 said on the floor of the US Senate: " I believe in this beautiful country. I have marveled at the wisdom of its founders and framers...But today I weep for my country. The image of America has changed. Around the globe, our friends mistrust us, our word is disputed, our intentions are questioned...After war has ended, the United States will have to rebuild much more than the country of Iraq. We will have to rebuild America’s image around the globe." He goes on to name the wrong reasoning that has taken place on our global war on terrorism and to raise some hard questions about cost, reasons for and dangers of this war with Iraq. And then he says to his fellow Senators: "A pall has fallen over the Senate Chamber. We avoid our solemn duty to debate the one topic on the minds of all Americans, even while scores of thousands of our sons and daughters faithfully do their duty in Iraq."

Both the editor in the Christian Science Monitor and Senator Byrd were trying to help all of us understand that a true patriot must have a deep love for country, but also a strong commitment to raise the hard questions and to dissent when necessary. Resistence/dissent/criticism during a time of war can be both patriotic and supportive of the men and women who are engaged in the battle.

This evening I want us to look at three ways of dissent/resistence/criticism that I think are important to us as followers of the Christ.

In the Acts of the Apostles we are told many times of how the apostles, Paul, Peter, Silas, Timothy and others confronted the religious and government authorities. They did so in the synagogues and on the streets of the cities. Sometimes they were harassed and beaten by the police; other times they were accused of being "babblers"; at other times men and women believed and accepted their message; and often they spent days and nights in jail. They were protesting the worship of idols and the unwillingness of many of the Jews to accept Jesus as the Messiah. They caused civil unrest and even riots in some of the cities. They were dissenting from the status quo; they were protesting what was; they were proclaiming an alternative way of life centered in Jesus.

As have Christians throughout history, we too are called to be responsible citizens and responsible Christians. At times this is easy, but at other times the tensions and ambiguities between these two roles are not easily resolved. During this time in our world and in our country, I firmly believe that each of us has a Christian duty to debate the rightness/wrongness of this war. I firmly believe that each of us must insist on knowing the cost of this war in dollars and in human lives. I firmly believe that we must as good citizens be concerned about the "schoolyard bully" approach we have taken during these last months with our national friends of long standing. I understand these actions of debate, questioning and expressions of concern to be my patriotic duty and responsibility as a citizen of the United States and my duty and responsibility as a follower of Jesus Christ.

For some of us, God is leading us to conversations with our friends and neighbors, to letter writing campaigns, to wearing a button with the words "Peace is Patriotic", to keeping a light burning in our homes until the end of the war, to similar forms of protest that some might label as "safe". Others are called to take to the streets, to march and carry placards, to be arrested and spend time in jail. Whatever form the protest takes, it is important and a way of witnessing to your faith in God’s values of love, justice and righteousness and an expression of love for our country. Hopefully our protest will be done as acts of non-violence and with words that are spoken gently but firmly

Listen to these voices:

"When war, as in these days in Iraq, threatens the fate of humanity, it is ever more urgent to proclaim, with a strong and decisive voice, that only peace is the road to follow to construct a more just and united society." Pope John Paul II

" I am very much antiwar, I’m not anti-US troops" said Kendra Hoyt at a rally on March 21 in Boston, echoing the sentiments of many protesters.

Erica Petru, an 8^th grader: "This is the first war I remember. It’s really new to me, just gathering the information and trying to understand. I do not hate America nor President Bush. I do believe that there must be a better way than war to resolve the problem. There are people like me in Iraq, getting bombed, and it’s a really sickening thought."

From an unknown woman, a mother as she put a flag in her front yard: "I am placing this flag to show support for my son who is in the midst of this conflict. But I do not support this war."

"Our son died a victim of an inhuman ideology in the World Trade Centers. Our actions should not serve the same purpose. Let us grieve. Let us reflect and pray. Let us think about a rational response that brings real peace and justice to our world. But let us not as a nation add to the inhumanity of our times." Phyllis and Orlando Rodriguez

"The idea that the U.S. military can rid the world of evil is an affront to our faith" Robert J. Suderman.

"As Christians, we fail both our nation and our God if we do not raise questions as our conscience leads us and take biblically informed, nonviolent stances regarding national policy and practice." William McElvaney, retired professor at Perkins School of Theology

Jesus spent a great deal of time in prayer and he often tried to find the quiet place where he could concentrate on his praying. He taught us how to pray and urged us to do so in the privacy of our hearts. But Jesus also prayed publically for children, for the sick and emotionally wounded, for his persecutors, and for the people of Jerusalem.

Paul encouraged the early churches to continue in "prayer and supplication". He challenged them to pray "in the Spirit" and to be alert to the needs of others and the leading of the Holy Spirit in their prayers. Paul also spent time in prayers of intercession for the followers of Christ scattered across the ancient world and the many who had not heard or heeded the message of salvation.

Prayer for others and for our world can take the form of lament as we see in the Psalms; it can be an expression of frustration or joy; it can be done in anger or simply an expression of desire. As we pray we are honoring God, expressing to God our faith that God is in charge of the world. As in the Bible our prayers in this time of crisis should be persistent, shameless in expressing the need for peace and justice, and confident that what is can be changed because of God’s promises.

When we first put the "Prayers 4 Peace" announcement on the web site we received a message from a very irate man. He felt that such a prayer campaign was just one more liberal means of undermining the government and questioning the authority of the President. In some ways this man was correct because there is power in the collective prayers of the people for peace, for healing, for justice. The woman who suggested the campaign remarked about the power that would be released if United Methodist Women prayed for peace. I certainly don’t understand the mystery of intercessory prayer, but I do know that God’s spirit is helping me in my praying during these difficult times. I know that the prayers that are being said today are a means of focusing on a deep need of our world and that in our praying we are joining God in prayer. Paul said in his letter to the Church in Rome: "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with signs too keep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." Romans 8:26-27.

Listen to these prayers:

"I pray for the leaders of the USA and for the leader of Iraq. May both sides see the folly of a war that will kill probably hundreds of thousands, further alienate any friends we might have in the Middle East and set all nations involved back both economically and spiritually. Amen" Coleta Tesah, Nashville.

"Remember, Prince of Peace, the people of the world divided into many nations and tongues. Deliver us from every evil that obstructs your saving purpose, and fulfill your promises of old to establish your kingdom of peace. Deliver us from the curse of wars and all that creates it. Deliver us from believing and speaking lies against other nations. Deliver us from putting our trust in the weapons of war, and from want of faith in the power of justice and good will. Amen The United Methodist Book of Worship

"Dear Lord, I am scared. But You tell me that I don’t have to be scared because You are with me always. I know that you are with my son in the army. Help me to have faith and trust that You are in control. Whether this war is in Your will or whether it is just man’s attempt to be in control, I don’t know. But, I do know that You and only You are in control...Help us to serve You. Please be with my son and those who are serving in the army, air force, navy, marines. Please, Lord, guide us. Help us to serve You as You would be served. Help us to be obedient to You. In Your Son’s name, Amen." Gail Ashurst, Brunswick

"Lord, please help us to seek a peaceful solution to this war. Please open our leaders hearts, help us all to understand, and teach us tolerance. Please bring our military troops home to their families and friends. We must end this war. Please help us. Amen" Gina DeMartino, Palos Hills

"On the edge of war, one foot already in,

I no longer pray for peace:

I pray for miracles.

I pray that stone hearts will turn

to tenderheartedness,

and evil intentions will turn

to mercifulness,

and all the soldiers already deployed

will be snatched out of harm’s way,

and the whole world will be

astounded onto its knees.

I pray that all the "God talk"

will take bones,

and stand up and shed

its cloak of faithless ness,

and walk again in its powerful truth.

I pray that the whole world might

sit down together and share

its bread and its wine.

Some say there is no hope,

but then I’ve always applauded the holy

fools

who never seem to give up on

the scandalousness of our faith:

that we are loved by God....

That we can truly love one another.

I no longer pray for peace:

I pray for miracles." Ann Weems

 

"When quiet peace is shattered by dreadful noise of war,

and we are bruised and battered by fighting’s constant roar,

When troubles still our love song and fear beats hard within,

when anger drowns the dove’s song and life’s a noisy din,

Lord, break the silence of your word and let your healing voice be heard.

O let your healing voice be heard." Mary Nelson Keithahn

Jesus often showed compassion on those that were on the margin of his society. He would see huge crowds of people "and he had compassion for them and cured their sick"; or he would teach them "because he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd"; or as he went about the cities and villages preaching the good news and healing, he had compassion for the crowds "because they were harassed and helpless". The word compassion means "suffering with" or literally "to let one’s innards embrace the feeling or situation of another".

Walter Bruggemann in his book Prophetic Imagination describes compassion as "a radical form of criticism, for it announces that the hurt is to be taken seriously, that the hurt is not to be accepted as normal and natural but is an abnormal and unacceptable condition for humanness". He goes on to say that Jesus in his showing of compassion is "criticizing the system, forces and ideologies that produce the hurt". This form of criticism is something that governments and rulers cannot tolerate nor do they know what to do with it. They believe that nations cannot be built on compassion and love; they prefer the "numbness of indifference" to human suffering whether during the time of war or prosperity. Jesus showed compassion and in so doing he clearly exemplified the alternatives to indifference, exploitation, oppression and suffering.

Jesus also instructed us to love our enemies; to do good to those who hurt or harm us; to turn the other cheek; to walk the extra mile. In these commands, Jesus was helping us see a non-violent way of opposing what is and presenting the alternative of God’s reign to all God’s people. He was helping us to understand that nothing is impossible with God, even changing the hearts of those who brutalize their fellow human beings is within God’s possibilities. Paul stated Jesus’ teachings again in the last verses of Romans 12:

"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceable with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." No, if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for my doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Listen to these voices:

"If we cannot love Saddam Hussein, or any other government leader, we cannot love anyone. What does it mean to love Saddam Hussein? It means nonviolently resisting the US government plans to kill him and his people; and the likewise challenging him to stop his own oppressive violence... Real love for one’s enemies does not mean that we blindly, naively support their violence and do whatever they want. We do not support violence by anyone! We do try to love everyone, and love requires speaking the truth to everyone on all sides of all conflicts. It means we keep our enemies, including Saddam Hussein, in our prayers for their healing, protection, and conversion, just as we pray for your persecutors and all people of the world...Not only can our love help save our enemies, like the beautiful children of Iraq, it can save us as well." John Dear in Living in Peace

"I’m trying not to get too scared, and when I do think about the war, I’m using the quote by Martin Luther King that "Love is the only force capable of turning an enemy into a friend."  -- Catherine Petru, 10^th grader.

"Don’t allow yourself to be overpowered with evil: Take the offensive and overpower evil with good. That is what Paul is saying: Take the offensive: Overpower evil with good! Now that is a radical foreign policy. That would scare the bejsus out of a lot of people, to know that with all of our power we decided that we were going to overpower evil with good - and what a topsy-turvy world this would be! That should give all the hawks in Washington something to think about, that if they want us to be noticed, the world would notice us if we took seriously the idea of overpowering evil with good." Rev. Peter Gomes, The Memorial Church of Harvard University.

"Nothing could be clearer than that the Gospel of Christ is a Gospel of peace. Jesus rejects the violent response to evil. "He who takes the sword will perish by the sword." Jesus, speaking to us about a new way of living, proclaims that peacemakers are blessed and that "they will be called children of God." He moves the standard even higher by urging us to love our enemies and "pray for those who persecute you."...There is no question that President Hussein’s demonstrated behavior leaves any thoughtful person horrified by his treatment of his own citizens and the citizen’s of Iraq’s neighboring countries. However, ours has been historically a church seeking peace, justice, and reconciliation. Even as we acknowledge the need for military action as a means of self-defense demanded by highly unusual circumstances, our primary allegiance is to what we understand the basics of the Gospel of Jesus Christ require of us - grace, mercy, peace, justice, and love." Bishop Sharon Brown Christopher, United Methodist

I am a concerned Christian and a concerned American as are all of us in this room. I am convinced that as both, I must protest this war as I feel God is calling me to do; I must join my prayers with those prayers of persons of faith around the world for peace, justice and mercy; and I must show the compassion and love for God’s children as did Jesus the Christ. May God give to each of us the strength to do what we must! Amen