PRESBYTERIANS SAY NO TO IRAN WAR

Living as I do in a corner of the world dominated by militant fundamentalist Christians who think that their Christianity and their patriotism are somehow tied together, it was refreshing to see this notice of action taken by the Presbyterians:

Resolution on Iran passed by the 218th General Assembly Of the
Presbyterian Church (USA) June 2008:

The 218th General Assembly (2008) directs the Stated Clerk to send the
following resolution to the President of the United Stated of America and
the United States Congress:

1. That the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) supports a peaceful, diplomatic
means to resolve the tensions developing as a result of Iran's pursuit of
its nuclear program, between the United States and Iran.

2. That the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) calls for direct, unconditional
negotiations between the United States and Iran with the goal of finding and
implementing a peaceful resolution.

3. That the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is opposed to preemptive military
action by any nation against Iran.

4. That the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) calls for a renewed effort at all
levels‹people-to-people, interfaith groups, non-governmental organizations
(NGOs), and government‹to help the United States and Iran eliminate the
tensions that have existed between our two nations and to unite the American
and Iranian people in a common effort to solve the problems of poverty,
illness, and climate change.

With all the talk that has passed back and forth over the past year over whether or not BushCo intends to invade Iran, it is easy to slip into a kind of complacency that convinces us that it is not going to happen. After all, even the Pentagon brass have come out against the idea.

Still, we cannot afford to forget the level of stupidity, cupidity and hegemonic thinking that still resides in the White House today. If BushCo ignores the advice of the intelligence community, it won’t be the first time, and we cannot afford, either, to forget that if Israel decides to attack Iran, our government will make the case that we cannot ignore the needs of such a valuable ally, and so we’ll be off to war by their side.

It didn’t help that the Council of Churches denounced the idea of the Iraq war long before it was launched, and the Presbyterians probably won’t have much more impact in this case, but you and I will be able to sleep a little better if we remind our Representatives and Senators that we agree with these two august bodies by dropping them a line telling them not to go to war with Iran. Why not do that today?

“Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” – Patrick Henry


Be the change you wish to see in the world. -- M. K. Gandhi

The reason for going was to keep the crude flowing and raise a false flag abroad. – from a poem by Jack Evans titled 3500 Souls - http://www.myspace.com/paralegal_eagle

Individually we have little voice. Collectively we cannot be ignored.
But in silence we surrender our power. Yours in Peace -- BR