Christian Peace Witness for Iraq

Editor's note: below are the Frequently Asked Questions about the March 16, 2007, worship service at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, and the candlelight procession to the White House and the vigil following. Our own Phil Rhoads from Rainbow will be attending and proudly wearing a green armband to represent Mennonites in the group. Western District Conference of the Mennonite Church, USA, provided Phil and five others these stipends to support their involvement in this event. For more information, see the Mennolink website.

FAQ

a. What sort of witness will this be?

This witness is for those who desire to stand up and be counted – folks who know that this war must end – and who are looking for a witness that allows them to model their own convictions about peace. This form of witness will be centered on a worship service and a vigil. All who participate are asked to affirm a commitment to nonviolence throughout our time together. We will intentionally lift up that which we affirm about peace, and we ask all participants to help us model our convictions in our interactions with one another, public officials and officers of the law, and anyone with whom we might disagree.

b. Why now?

We know that our leaders will need to show great courage to end the war now. This is a critical moment for Christians to show our political leaders that we will both hold them accountable and support their efforts to bring the war to an end.

c. Who is invited to participate in the Christian Peace Witness for Iraq?

You are invited to participate in this Witness if:

· You agree with the affirmations we ask of one another and of our government.

· You are committed to nonviolence as expressed in our nonviolence pledge.

· You feel comfortable participating in an activity that is intentionally Christian yet welcoming of all people.

d. I agree that the war in Iraq is wrong, but I don’t want to participate in something that is disrespectful of our troops.

That’s how we feel too. Many of us are weary of the false choice between supporting our troops in combat and desiring a clear commitment to withdraw our military forces from Iraq. We both care about the welfare of our troops and believe the war is wrong.

We believe that the best way to support our troops is to keep them out of combat. This is the most respect that we can give them—to protect their lives. Furthermore, we believe that we can better support our troops by offering them improved financial, medical, and psychological support systems as they return to their families.

e. I feel uncomfortable with all the partisan bickering about the war.

This witness to our faith transcends partisan politics. It is a prayerful attempt to ask all of us, including our political leaders, to reconsider our nation’s course of action in Iraq. Together, we affirm that any response that meets violence with greater violence is fundamentally antithetical to the teachings of Jesus.

f. I want to participate, but I’m not sure that I want to do anything that might get me arrested.

This witness is about calling on our deepest religious traditions – worship, prayer, vigil – to find the strength to stand against a war that we know must end. We expect that some of those who participate will feel called by God to acts of “divine obedience” by taking nonviolent actions that risk arrest in order to make clear our seriousness about ending the war. There will be a permit acquired for this witness to be totally legal, and participants will not face arrest unless they deliberately choose to do so. Because this witness is built on a foundational commitment to nonviolence, there will be no violence or damage to property. We could be arrested for continuing to kneel in prayer on a sidewalk after being asked to leave; in that instance the charge would be trespassing. We hope that everyone will feel welcome in this act of faithful witness, which intentionally includes many different ways to participate.

g. How can I talk about my participation in the Christian Peace Witness with people who disagree with me?

First, feel secure in what you believe and nondefensive in your conversation.

Second, pray about the person and how to approach your differences in love.

Third, choose language that explains what you believe, rather than insults the beliefs of others. Talk about your own journey and the experiences that have led you to your convictions.

Remember that this might be an opportunity for this person to hear thoughts about Jesus that are new to them—an opportunity to welcome them into new understandings. Be open about your own doubts, but confident about your feelings. Stay in touch with the person. Increase the opportunities to do things with the person, and show that you care deeply about the other person’s problems.

Learn more about the Christian expression of nonviolence on the Theological Resources page.

h. I have a family member who is in the military. What should I say to that person about my participation in the Christian Peace Witness?

Often common ground can be found not by reaching full agreement with one another about contentious issues, but by appealing to one another to respect the strength of our convictions when we disagree. People in the military are often acting sacrificially on their own strong beliefs. Might you hold those beliefs in common, while differing on how to act on them? Listen to their stories. Ask if their experience in the military is what they expected and what their doubts might be.

This witness is for those who know that few people are argued into a new position. Rather, most of us change when those whom we love or respect take principled action on their beliefs and treat our own beliefs with respect.

Explore your own beliefs and commitments by clicking here to learn more about resources for Nonviolent Direct Action.

i . It is unrealistic for peace folks to talk about the United States leaving Iraq. Now that we’ve created this situation, don’t we have to stay until we’ve cleaned it up?

We are clear that the United States has a moral obligation to make a long-term commitment to work with the international community for the physical and human reconstruction of Iraq. Our conviction as followers of Jesus Christ, backed up by the assessment of many world leaders and many in our own military and intelligence agencies, is that the violence in Iraq will only begin to abate when Iraqis can see our clear commitment to end the war and pull back our troops. Along with the physical reconstruction of Iraq, we are equally concerned with the trauma, poverty, and orphaned children this war leaves behind. We are committed to the mending of relationships, support in healing, and the restoration of social services.

j. Now that the Democrats have control of the Congress, isn’t it unnecessary to have this Witness?

Our witness is not about partisan politics. Many Republicans and Democrats supported this war when it began and many Republicans and Democrats now do not. Our role as people of faith is to create a strong, grassroots movement of folks who will hold our political leaders accountable to the highest ideals of our nation.

If anything, our witness is even more important now that political control of Congress has changed. Proponents of change need public support to make difficult choices. Remember, half the deaths in the Vietnam War occurred after disgust with the war led to the partisan shift of the presidency in 1968 in favor of Richard Nixon and his “secret plan to end the war.”

k. What about people of other faith traditions, or those who don’t consider themselves part of any faith tradition?

This witness is intentionally Christian because it embodies the principles of pacifism upon which Jesus based his life and ministry.

We welcome the participation of all people who agree with our five affirmations, principles that we affirm with one another and ask our government to affirm as well. Further, we call all people of faith (especially those who are Jewish and Muslim) to hold us in prayer as we carry out this intentionally Christian Witness. For those who are not a part of any religious tradition, we ask for your support and encouragement as we attempt to live up to the highest ideals of nonviolence that were embraced by Jesus Christ.

l. I want to be a part of the Witness, but I’m afraid it will be too costly to go to Washington.

We have worked to make this event as inexpensive as possible. There are alternative housing opportunities available in Washington, and we encourage you to team up with others to share expenses wherever possible. If you feel you are called to participate, we encourage you to form a small circle of support in your church – 10 friends who are each prepared to contribute $50 and hold you in prayer during your trip could probably make it possible to cover your air fare and other expenses.

Further, we hope that many who are unable to come to Washington will help to Lay the Local Foundation for an ongoing witness by organizing Christian Peace Witness for Iraq events in your local communities. Declaration of Peace is a sister effort to end the war that shares many of our commitments, and they are prepared to offer support as you organize a local witness.

m. I want to organize a local event instead of coming to Washington. What should I do?

We encourage you to work with members of churches in your community to plan events leading up to March 16, as well as to organize a Christian Peace Witness in your own community on the day when the national event is taking place. Go to Laying Local Foundations to learn more; the Declaration of Peace and the organizers’ packet on this Web site can help you with many of the resources you will need. Please contact Christian Peace Witness Organizers to let us know of your plans.

n. Okay, I want to come to Washington. Where will I stay?

Go to our logistics/housing page to find information on a variety of housing possibilities, including local hotels, churches that are willing to host folks who are willing to “rough it” by sleeping on the floor, and some folks who are willing to host you in their home.

o. How can I meet other folks like me who might be coming?

Go to our Meet Up page to find other people in your area who are planning to participate in the Christian Peace Witness either locally or in Washington, D.C.

p. What other events are planned besides the Christian Peace Witness on Friday night?

The Christian Peace Witness for Iraq will offer nonviolence training for any participants on Thursday night, Friday morning, and Friday afternoon before the Witness. On Saturday, some of our partner organizations will offer strategy sessions for future nonviolent organizing efforts to end the war in Iraq.

There will be more information to come about other events.