October
2007
As the Iran War Drums Beat Louder: Three Things We Can Do NOW as Concerned Faith Leaders0
No doubt many of you woke up today hearing Condoleeza Rice calling for much tougher Iran sanctions and mimicking the Vice President in suggesting that imminent “consequences” will follow if Iran does not cease financing terror and (allegedly) supporting anti-U.S. insurgents in Iraq. None of us can any longer dismiss the possibility that the Bush Administration will in fact bomb Iran in the months that remain on their “watch.” But neither should we resign ourselves to this horrendous possibility. We can take steps now that could yet help restrain the warmongers on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Open Conversations. In our congregations and neighborhoods, we can open conversations by saying, simply, “So. It looks like Bush and Cheney actually do intend to bomb Iran before they leave office. Can you believe it?” Lead the conversation in the direction of the terrible strain on our military should this happen, the likelihood of very significant Iranian retaliation against our forces in Iraq, against Israel—possibly even against targets in Europe and North America—and that fact that our forces absolutely do NOT have the capacity to sustain war against Iran beyond the first air strikes. They had no plan for Iraq, as we now know, and they definitely have no plan for Iran beyond bombing that country back to the Stone Age in a first strike. Finally, make the point that the U.S. can never get out of Iraq with any kind of honor unless we start talking to Iran, which has a direct and immediate interest in helping stabilize Iraq following a U.S. troop withdrawal. Thus, by pushing Iran away from any possibility of direct talks, the Bush hardliners also ensure prolongation of the Iraq disaster.
Let Your Representatives in Congress Know You Are Paying Attention. Call or write IMMEDIATELY, telling them you are horrified by the apparent determination of the Bush people to go to the brink of war or beyond. Make all the same points in #1 above: our overstrained military, the near certainty of major Iranian retaliation, and the aggravation and perpetuation of the Iraq madness unless we begin talking to Iran instead of demonizing and threatening them.
Plan What You Will Do If/When the Bombing Begins. Insist that your church peace and justice group or your neighborhood peace group make plans for all the forms your protest and your witness will take if, despite everything, Bush orders bombing. The rest of the world will need to see that while Cheney and the hardcore hawks might be (literally) insane, there remains a vast reservoir of people in America who not only do not support the madmen but who are prepared to make personal sacrifices, if need be, to demonstrate their commitment to peaceful tomorrows.
This weekend For the Bible Tells Me So, an award-winning new documentary about family, homosexuality, and Christian faith, opens nationally in theatres. We are encouraging all of our members to take some time this weekend to see the film — and to talk about it with friends, family, and communities of faith. It is an outstanding opportunity for life-changing conversations…and the more people who see the film in theatres, the more likely it is that the film’s run will be extended to a wider audience.
a screening near you, throughout the country, visit the