War and the Church: The National and Local Voices

One of the most interesting developments as we have moved toward war with Iraq has been the reaction of America's churches and theologians. Many of the leaders of American Christian denominations have spoken out against war, saying we should let the United nations seek peace, and the media has duly reported statements from the National Council of Churches and the Pope and others of note. But the interesting story, and the unreported story, is that local churches have not dutifully genuflected and jumped on board their national leaders' anti-war, anti-American stand.

And as it has become more-and-more obvious that Saddam Hussein will not back down to the U. N., and is, indeed, a threat to the world and a firm ally of Al-Quida, the stand from the local pulpit and the local pew is growing stronger. From where I sit it appears local churches tended to approve of the drawn-out actions by America in which we tried everything to solve the mid-East puzzle peacefully. But now many are saying: "enough is enough."

And at the same time some of America's leading theologians are saying the time has come to fight, and that this war now meets all the demands of Christianity's "just war" doctrine. That doctrine lays down the theological tests for deciding the morality of a war, and its history goes back to the fifth century. We are now hearing respected theologians say things like: public authorities are morally responsible for protecting the citizenry from unprovoked attack. Or another who says it is the Christian's duty to protect the innocent. Or another theologian who now says: "To go to war would be a tragedy, but not to go to war (under present circumstances) would be a greater tragedy."

This is Gordon Sawyer, and may the wind always be at your back.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2003/3/182136