A Call to Faith and Conscience

As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth will leave us blind and toothless.”

We are reeling amidst the lingering smoke of the terrorist attacks on New York, Pennsylvania and Washington DC. Thousands of American lives have been lost and untold destruction lives in the hearts and minds of the American people. These terrorist attacks are attacks not only against innocent people, but also against fundamental human rights and civil liberties.

We call for Osama Bin Laden, and all those associated with these attacks to be brought to justice within the bounds of international law through the international courts. However, we do not believe that humanity is served best by an American military response that will result in more innocent lives lost, both here and around the world.

We renounce the cries to war that are whipping some Americans into a nationalistic frenzy, resulting in violent attacks on Muslims and Arab Americans. We further renounce the rhetoric of the Bush administration that will only lead to greater destruction of human rights and civil liberties. If these fundamental human rights and civil liberties are abridged in the interest of domestic security the terrorist have already succeeded in destroying the American dream. As we prepare to spend billions of dollars to prosecute a war that cannot be won, we must remember that we do this in a nation where children still go hungry, our public schools still do not have enough resources, and quality health care remains out of reach for a majority of Americans. Is this infinite justice Mr. President?

As a nation, we must have the courage and the grace to look inward and examine where we as a nation may be complicit in engendering such hatred. The American government is crying out for justice and a rule of law, and we agree that justice is required. In so doing, America must also be willing to submit herself to that same law. The Bush administration has declared that we will “smoke out terrorists and those who harbor them”. As Americans, we must look into the mirror. America also engages in terror when we support the use of land mines, nuclear proliferation, bombing of innocent civilians and sanctions unto death. Terrorism that serves American interest and is supported by American policy is still terrorism. Some responsibility for the rise of organized militant Islam rests at the feet of the United States Government. Osama Bin Ladin and the Muhajadeen’s terror campaigns were supported and encouraged when directed at the Soviet Union during the Cold War, but are labeled evil when turned against America.

Biblically, we are told that the truth will set you free. We speak these truths in love, in no way supporting or condoning the senseless atrocities that have consumed our nation. The spiral of violence must end somewhere. As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth will leave us blind and toothless.” Jesus replaced the retributive justice system of the Old Testament in Matthew 5 when He said, "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” As religious leaders we believe that the way to a secure and prosperous future for all humanity is ultimately through forgiveness and the way of peace. Such forgiveness is a harsh and dreadful, if not graceful, way to be walked.


- MORE -

- 2 -

Outrage and fear are natural and appropriate responses to this tragedy. But we must not allow outrage and fear to direct our response. As Christians, we can find no Biblical justification for throwing down Jesus’ mandate to love our enemies, even in the face of such terror. This is a time for the true American spirit to shine through the smoke, ashes and tears of the hijacked ruins. We are a people with a generous spirit who are compassionate, giving, creative and noble. As a nation that has fomented so much hope for freedom and justice around the world, it would be blight on the memories of kindred lost to kill more innocent people in their name.

Biblically, our choice is not so much between the Greek dualism of good and evil, but the Hebraic choice of life and death. Life is not found in American military might, but in freedom from the power of death. Such freedom is found in an empty tomb on Easter morning. Kindred, crumbling buildings and rattling sabers have awakened our prophetic imaginations. The time to breath new life into the peace and justice movements, both faith based and secular, is now. Amidst the surreal imagery and myth making we find a kairos moment. We must not allow this call to forge a new broad-based community of peace activism escape us. May the God of Abraham, the parent of Jesus the Christ, heal the soul of a nation.



Sincerely,
The Undersigned

As Spokespeople
Rev. Rocky Kidd, misfitprophet.com, 219/397-8441
Rev. Michael Danner, Metamora, IL Mennonite Church, 309/923-7702
Rev. Osagyefo Uhuru Sekou, Institute for Policy Studies, 202/797-8182