Statement on Terrorist Attacks and Response

STATEMENT TO THE CHURCH ON THE TERRORIST ATTACKS AND THE U.S. RESPONSE Adopted 10/13/01 We the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) join United Methodists and all people around the world as we mourn those who have died, comfort those who have experienced loss and pray together while facing anxious days ahead. In this time of terror and tragedy, we pray to God with humility and with seeking hearts. Our lives have changed and for those of us who live in the United States, our sense of invulnerability and invincibility has been destroyed. We rejoice that as children of God we need not fear God nor seek to appease God. We are trustful and open to the God of love. We claim the teachings of the Prince of Peace who instructs us to love and pray for our enemies and refrain from responding to violence with violence. As we join people around the world in our resolve to bring terrorists to justice, we understand that war is not an appropriate means of responding to criminal acts against humanity. We reaffirm the United Methodist resolution on Terrorism which states, “we oppose the use of indiscriminate military force to combat terrorism, especially where the use of such force results in casualties among noncombatant citizens who are not themselves perpetrators of terrorist acts… We condemn all acts of terrorism, with no exception for the target or the source.” (The Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church, 2000, p. 787) We urge that food aid be provided to refugees in Afghanistan and other countries through established humanitarian channels distinct from military action. Furthermore, we urge the United States and the international community to provide protection for refugees, and to make plans now for the eventual rehabilitation of refugees and the establishment of a stable and just Afghan society. In our limited human vision, we turn to God for guidance. In our mourning, we pray for God’s comfort. In our hunger and thirst for righteousness, we seek God’s forgiveness for our self-righteousness. As Matthew 5:9 reminds us, Jesus calls the children of God to be peacemakers. We live with the uncertainty of these times seeking divine patience and strength. We look to God to lead us to the greater good – love combined with justice and truth aligned with trust. We embrace with confidence a faith that seeks God’s purposes. In these tense days, the Church is called to be an instrument of service, healing, and peace. Toward this end, we call upon United Methodist congregations to:
a)	Be in a season of prayer for peace, for all who suffer and mourn, for those who serve, especially those in harm’s way, and for courage to respond to God’s guidance.
b)	Become bridge-builders in your community between Christians and persons of other religious faiths through education and outreach;
c)	Offer acts of hospitality to Arabs, Muslims and all others in your community who may suffer at this time from acts of hatred and prejudice;
d)	Reflect upon what our Church has declared – that war is incompatible with the teachings and example of Christ; (Social Principles, #165 VI (C) )
e)	Inform young people in your congregation that we extend our ministry to those who choose to serve in the military or those who choose not to serve. Inform those who choose not to serve in the military of the option to register as a conscientious objector in the US and other countries where the option is available; (Social Principles, #165 V (G))
f)	Study the root causes of terrorism, the history of Western involvement in the Middle East, and work to end terrorism;
g)	Call and visit your government officials to urge an end to all violence and war and to use the United Nations as a primary venue for multilateral action. Ask them also to support the establishment of the International Criminal Court that would allow nations to bring to trial perpetrators of criminal acts against humanity, and urge President Bush to submit to the Senate for ratification the Treaty creating the Court; (Social Principles, #165 VI (D))
h)	Continue with generous support and donations to UMCOR for Afghanistan refugees and the victims of the attacks in the US.
It is our firm belief that military actions will not end terrorism. As people called to be a visible sign of God’s ever-present love, we know that violence will not bring God’s peace. We are grateful for those efforts by President Bush and the US Congress toward a measured response to September 11. We continue to say no to war and encourage our leaders to respond cautiously. “Let us not compound a grievous tragedy with a grievous error.”¹ ¹ United Methodist military Chaplain following the remarks of a Pentagon official.