Interreligious Responses to War in Iraq
It is not the policy of this web site to advocate for or against political activities, even to the extent of warfare. Nevertheless, we would be remiss in not reporting on the varying interreligious responses to the war in Iraq. The articles listed here represent just a few of the interfaith/interreligious responses to the current global political turmoil and conflicts.
March 15th, 2003
One group you will not find responding here is the United Religions Initiative (URI). The URI is a grassroots organization wherein decisions are made at the most local level possible (cf Principle 13 of the URI Charter). Thus it is not for the URI staff or Global Council, including the Executive Director, to issue statements and decrees — it is for the individual organizations to hold their own opinions and activities, as long as they remain consistent with the Principles outlined in that Charter to which they have voluntarily signed on. If together they agree on some statement, then they may vote to do so (as happened at the 2002 Global Assembly with the “Call to Global Healing“).
Christian
Groups' Iraq Aid Offer Draws Criticism
Two U.S.-based evangelical Christian groups are pledging to provide humanitarian
aid to post-war Iraq, but critics on Friday feared that proselytizing by the
groups could ignite Muslim concerns about invading Christian crusaders.
Global
Interfaith Movement Calls on World to Pray and Fast For Peace: Nineveh 2003
Gains Momentum as Threat of War Mount
With the world on the brink of war, a global coalition of Catholics, Christians,
Jews and Muslims — called Nineveh 2003 — has mobilized for 40 days of prayer
and fasting. Set to coincide with Lent, the most solemn time in the Christian
calendar, the movement for world peace is scheduled to run through April 13.
Heads of NCC, Two
Muslim Groups Issue Joint Statement on Iraq
March 24, 2003 — The General Secretary of the National Council of Churches,
Secretary General of the Islamic Circle of North America and Secretary General
of the Islamic Society of North America today issued the following joint statement…
In
this time of unrest. clergy calling for unity
For months, the threat of war with Iraq, with its religious and political overtones,
divided the faith community. But now that war has begun, clergy say they won't
let the volatile issue erode the bonds formed after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks,
when Muslims, Jews, Christians and others vowed to stand together in the face
of hatred.
Pope:
Iraq War Must Not Cause Hatred
March 24, 2003 — Pope John Paul II urged the faithful Saturday not to allow
the Iraq conflict to stir up hatred between Christians and Muslims, saying that
would transform the war into a “religious catastrophe.”
Prayers
for peace, criticism of Bush at interfaith rally
The protesters who gathered on City Hall Plaza for the city's first interfaith
antiwar march yesterday joined hands and prayed aloud to Jehovah, to Allah,
to Jesus, and to Buddha for peace in Iraq. Then, in unison, they condemned the
man they say is the real ultimate power behind the war: George W. Bush.
Religious
leaders comment on Iraq war
As the war against Iraq commenced, religious groups and leaders around the world
were unanimous in expressing sadness and appealing for prayers and reconciliation.
The
Interfaith Alliance Responds to War Declarations
Minutes after President Bush announced that the nation had launched a war with
Iraq, the leadership of The Interfaith Alliance and The Interfaith Alliance
Foundation responded with regret and concern in a letter to the White House
and a web feature displaying “Statements For a Nation At War” from
national civic and religious leaders.
WCC
statement on Iraq: “Wars cannot be won, only peace
can”
March 20, 2003 — Reacting with “profound sorrow” to news that a military
attack on Iraq has begun, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary
Rev. Dr Konrad Raiser has today released a statement calling the attack “immoral,
illegal and ill-advised”.
World
turmoil strains faith relations
Some Christians say Islam promotes violence. Jews feel they are being scapegoated
by opponents of a U.S. war on Iraq. A Muslim leader wonders if there's a divine
message in the breakup of the shuttle carrying an Israeli astronaut. In the
post-9/11 era, religious leaders say, interfaith relations in America have been
poisoned, causing damage it may take years to heal.