Ithaca Friends Meeting
Letter to Ithaca Times

Terrorism has struck the United States, suddenly and without mercy, claiming the lives of innocent civilians. The Ithaca Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) expresses our heartfelt sympathy to everyone touched by the attacks. We send our deepest appreciation to the individuals risking their lives to help survivors of this tragedy.

This is an opportunity for the nations of the world to unite behind a declaration that terrorism in any form is a crime against humanity that goes beyond national boundaries. We strongly support bringing the persons responsible for these atrocities to justice through international cooperation and courts of law rather than through military action.

We are very concerned that the strong rhetoric of war, perhaps for political reasons, may motivate the United States to exercise terrorism for the purpose of eliminating terrorism. Any military action runs the risk of becoming an assault on innocent civilians. If the Russian experience in Afghanistan or our experience in Vietnam are examples, this approach may not only fail but may also generate more hard feelings against the United States. As the Dalai Lama wrote, "violence will only increase the cycle of violence."

We are concerned with news of hostile actions directed against people of different beliefs, practices, styles of dress, and skin color within our own country. This is a form of terrorism; that very scourge we are seeking to eliminate. Let us individually act within the laws of our own country and set an example for the rest of the world. For if we become like the terrorists, they will have won.

We encourage serious examination of the history and actions of the United States that contribute to the strong feelings of hatred toward our country. If we do not seek to understand and address the roots of this anger, the violence may well continue.

We encourage each person to ask themselves what they can do to contribute toward the growth of love among all peoples. May the spirit within all of us unite us together in our search for peace.

Dick Crepeau,
Clerk IMMRSF*