Oppose Military Strike on Syria, Support Nonviolent Action
Speak up against a military strike against Syria and speak for a nonviolent solution.
I call on you to oppose the impending military strike on Syria. In a statement released last week, Episcopal Peace Fellowship stated that we unequivocally oppose a military strike against Syria and I agree. As an Episcopalian I uphold the 1976 Lambeth Conference resolution written by Anglican Bishops from around the world declaring, "the use of modern technology of war is the most striking example of corporate sin and the prostitution of God?s gifts."
Use of chemical weapons should be condemned, regardless of who perpetrated the attack, but instead of intensifying the conflict with military strikes, the United States should seek an international agreement on an arms embargo and back dialogue that alone can end the horrific violence. Otherwise, we beget war with war. An international war crime is dealt with by committing another international war crime. Matching violence with violence is, quite simply, not Christ's way.
I urge you to have the courage shown by other strong leaders in the past to hold off on military action and renew the efforts for a diplomatic solution. We must work with the United Nations and other governments to contain the violence, restore stability in the region, provide humanitarian assistance, and encourage the building of an inclusive society in Syria that protects the rights of all its citizens.
We affirm The Friends Committee on National Legislation in the USA proposed range of nonviolent interventions on Syria that was published over the weekend. They offer four alternatives that meet diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to resolve this crisis without war.
1. American intervention must be nonviolent.
2. The US should convene an emergency summit of heads of state with all key regional leaders, including Russia, Iran, Jordan, Turkey, US, UK and France to negotiate a way forward to end the bloodshed, allow unrestricted humanitarian access and find a negotiated settlement to the conflict.
3. Increase and better allocate humanitarian funds to address refugee flows.
4. Utilize all diplomatic resources available to ensure that the United Nations weapons inspection team gain unfettered access for inspections of chemical weapons use in Syria. We must not repeat the mistakes of Iraq by acting in haste.
The Bishop of Jerusalem, Rt. Rev'd Suheil S. Duwani, says, "the situation in Syria remains violent and there is the alarming possibility of intervention that could lead to widespread conflict in the region. As Indigenous Christians of the Holy Land and the Middle East, our voice is united and our mission is clear -- we want peace, we pray for peace, we serve peace."
I urge you to speak up against a military strike against Syria and speak for a nonviolent solution.
In Peace,
Use of chemical weapons should be condemned, regardless of who perpetrated the attack, but instead of intensifying the conflict with military strikes, the United States should seek an international agreement on an arms embargo and back dialogue that alone can end the horrific violence. Otherwise, we beget war with war. An international war crime is dealt with by committing another international war crime. Matching violence with violence is, quite simply, not Christ's way.
I urge you to have the courage shown by other strong leaders in the past to hold off on military action and renew the efforts for a diplomatic solution. We must work with the United Nations and other governments to contain the violence, restore stability in the region, provide humanitarian assistance, and encourage the building of an inclusive society in Syria that protects the rights of all its citizens.
We affirm The Friends Committee on National Legislation in the USA proposed range of nonviolent interventions on Syria that was published over the weekend. They offer four alternatives that meet diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to resolve this crisis without war.
1. American intervention must be nonviolent.
2. The US should convene an emergency summit of heads of state with all key regional leaders, including Russia, Iran, Jordan, Turkey, US, UK and France to negotiate a way forward to end the bloodshed, allow unrestricted humanitarian access and find a negotiated settlement to the conflict.
3. Increase and better allocate humanitarian funds to address refugee flows.
4. Utilize all diplomatic resources available to ensure that the United Nations weapons inspection team gain unfettered access for inspections of chemical weapons use in Syria. We must not repeat the mistakes of Iraq by acting in haste.
The Bishop of Jerusalem, Rt. Rev'd Suheil S. Duwani, says, "the situation in Syria remains violent and there is the alarming possibility of intervention that could lead to widespread conflict in the region. As Indigenous Christians of the Holy Land and the Middle East, our voice is united and our mission is clear -- we want peace, we pray for peace, we serve peace."
I urge you to speak up against a military strike against Syria and speak for a nonviolent solution.
In Peace,
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