Foreign Policy Association: Religion|Religion

As the debate boils over the possibility of the United States launching a pre-emptive strike on Iraq, religious leaders have begun to weigh in all sides. One thing they all agree on: in this debate, heavily in the public eye, and so concerned with moral and ethical issues, their opinions matter.

In both the United States and Britain some religious leaders have become outspoken opponents of the pre-emptive strike. Citing the humanitarian issues and the degree to which the Iraqi people have suffered under U.S. sanctions, these leaders say President Bush needs to seek methods other then war for addressing Iraq. On September 12, Christian leaders from the coalition Churches for Middle East Peace sent a letter to President Bush in opposition to the strike. The National Council of Churches reported on the reasoning behind the letter: "Citing the probable humanitarian consequences, civilian casualties, and the chaotic political aftermath of such a war, the church leaders noted that U.S. military force could easily destabilize the region with possible catastrophic results and further increase anti-American sentiment in the Middle East and Gulf." Pacifist religious groups such as the Society of Friends and the Mennonites have also taken a strong stand against the attacks.

Southern Baptists have come down strongly in favor of Bush's attack. Richard Cizik of the National Association of Evangelicals, has also spoken out in support of the move on Iraq. Supporters cite Hussein's danger because of weapons development. Ultimately, according to this perspective, an attack, though labeled pre-emptive, would in fact be defensive- protecting democracy and world safety.

Due to the complex nature of the issues, many other leaders are taking their time and weighing in the opinions of their members carefully before declaring a position. One such group of leaders is the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, which is conducting small group discussions with its membership organizations before deciding on a stance. Jewish leaders have been particularly hesitant to take a strong position, partly because, although many agree that Hussein is a serious threat that needs attention, there is a strong chance that a United States attack on Iraq would, in turn, result on an Iraqi attack on Israel. Jewish religious organizations, while there is wide speculation that they will eventually largely support military action, are mostly reserving judgement and trying to gather more information from world leaders about the full implications of an attack.

Finally, some leaders feel that while an attack on Iraq may be necessary, Bush should wait for United Nations' approval rather then act alone. Both the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Vatican have called for the U.S. to wait for UN approval before taking any military action. This position decries the symbolic and practical effects that America acting alone might create.

Already, disagreements within religious groups and between them are raging. In Christian circles many debate whether an attack on Iraq could be considered a "just war", a standard by which one can judge the necessity of a war based on a number of criteria, each having to be fulfilled to prove the moral correctness of a war. Though the term "just war" may be primarily a Christian one, the essential question beneath the standard is the one people of all faiths seem to be asking. Weighing the security threat Iraq poises, the humanitarian issues, the potential Iraqi responses, and the fact that America does not have broad international support, among many other issues, is attacking Iraq the right thing to do?

Bush gives UN an ultimatum (Christian Science Monitor 09/15)

U.S. Church Leaders Urge U.S. to Avoid Military Action Against Iraq (National Council of Churches 09/13)

The Full Text of the Letter from Churches for a Middle East Peace to President Bush (Churches for a Middle East Peace 09/12)

48 Protestant, Orthodox, Catholic, Evangelical Leaders

Petition President Bush To Reconsider Iraq Invasion (National Council of Churches (09/12)

Leaders from American, Canadian, British Churches

Appeal to U.S. Government: 'Stop the Rush to War' (National Council of Churches 08/29)

Clergy protest against war on Iraq (BBC 08/06)

Opinion Roundup: Is Attacking Iraq Moral? Christian leaders disagree, too. (Christianity Today 09/04)

Jewish groups weigh stance on Iraq (Cleveland Jewish News 09/09)

Jews laud Bush's words on Iraq (Jewish Telegraph Agency 09/12)

Muslims caution against unilateral action on Iraq (Council on American-Islamic Relations)