Mennonite/CPT Statement on "War on Terrorism"

Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) commends this "Statement of Conviction" to churches for study, reflection and action. CPT encourages congregations and groups to adapt this statement and publicize it through media outlets in your local communities:

The deaths of four Afghan employees of the United Nations by a U.S. cruise missile on October 9 illustrates that war always kills civilians regardless of the stated aims of governments.

The act of terror that killed thousands of people in New York, Washington, DC and Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001 will not be set right by bombing Kabul or any other city. Bombings with the official authorization of western governments are also acts of terror.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we believe that we must choose the nonviolent way of the cross in these dangerous times. If we or our loved ones are attacked, injured or killed by acts of terror, we forbid our governments to retaliate in our names. We believe that our lives are no more important or valuable in God's eyes than the lives of Afghans, Arabs, Colombians, Sudanese, Mexicans, Angolans, East Timorese, Aboriginal peoples and others. We maintain that those responsible for the September 11 attacks must be held accountable for their crimes through internationally recognized nonviolent means.

We also maintain that other leaders who have used their positions of power to design, order or commit acts of terror that have killed millions of civilians throughout the world must be held accountable for their crimes, including Henry Kissinger (Cambodia, Viet Nam), Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (Gaza, West Bank, Lebanon), former Indonesian President Suharto (East Timor), former U.S. Presidents Ronald Reagan (contra war against Nicaragua) and Bill Clinton (Iraq). The list goes on.

We are praying for our leaders to show wisdom and compassion as they seek to respond to the calamities of September 11. We appreciate President Bush's assertions that our quarrel is not with the Arab world or with Islam, but we believe these assertions will ring hollow with Arabs or Muslims who will die or suffer the loss of their human rights as a result of our current foreign policy.

We intend to continue resisting any foreign policy that results in the death or exploitation of human beings, whatever their nationality. Again, we are putting our country on notice today that it does not have our permission to go to war in our names.

Suggestions for Action

1. Extend friendship to Muslim neighbors and offer accompaniment and partnership to those who may bear the brunt of collective blame or be vulnerable to attack.
2. Carry out intentional, persistent witness that gets in the way of more war-making and calls people into Jesus' way, engaging neighbors, family members, classmates, co-workers and friends about our convictions.
3. Organize a weekly community "Truth Forum" from now until Christmas. The first casualty in war is truth. Let's rush to the aid of this casualty by opening our churches to host weekly ecumenical discussion forums for people to come with their questions, fears, hopes, and prayers. Create an atmosphere where all can feel welcome to speak the truth as they see it and seek creative nonviolent alternatives to war.
4. Resist all government attempts to conscript our bodies and our tax dollars for war-making.
5. Call on church relief agencies to find bold ways to deliver humanitarian aid directly to victims of violent retaliation.