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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
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October 2004 |
UMW leader says: end sterile political discussions, choose work for peace
By Kelly C. Martini
NEW YORK - As United States presidential candidates continued debate about the justice of the war on Iraq, leaders from across religious traditions came together Sept. 12 at the Church Center for the United Nation's observance of International Day of Prayers for Peace.
The theme of the observance was "We the Peoples Cry Out for Peace: A Sacred Call." Jan Love, chief executive of the United Methodist Women's Division, was the keynote speaker. She told the gathering that it was time to end the sterile discussions about the circumstances behind what justifies war and violence.
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"We often fail to acknowledge, … creating and perpetrating violence in the name of our faith." |
"I strongly prefer to shift the debate profoundly in the direction of deciding something much more important: under what circumstances will we choose to work conscientiously for peace with justice?" Love asked.
Love praised the religious leaders for gathering together to pray - as individuals and as a community - for the strength to find unity and work across religious chasms.
"As this audience knows all too well, when examining the history of war, the 20th century was the most violent in human history. Over 250 wars were fought and about 110 million war-related deaths resulted," Love said. By the end of the 20th century, religion in many of the conflicts became a potent dimension of the violence.
"At the pace of death and destruction with which the 21st century has been launched, the causalities climb even faster and higher. Is the body count high enough yet? Is the war debt deep enough yet? Is the hatred and retribution rampant enough yet? Is the war profiteering shameful enough yet? Is the war-induced poverty degrading enough yet?
What would it take to say enough is enough?" she asked the audience.
And Love would not excuse Christianity - her own faith - for its contribution to destruction and violence in religion's name.
"Despite the vivid and horrific displays of violence perpetrated in recent months and years by followers of Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and other religions, we Christians hold a notorious track record, too," she said. "We often fail to acknowledge, much less confess or seek forgiveness for, creating and perpetrating violence in the name of our faith."
Love ended with a challenge to participants. She asked them to consider how to be every-day heroes, to heal the world, and to lift up love and justice rather than religious hatred and destruction.
The Women's Division represents United Methodist Women, a one-million member organization whose purpose is to foster spiritual growth, develop leaders and advocate for justice. Members raise more than $25 million a year for programs and projects related to women, children and youth in the United States and in more than 100 countries around the world.
Kelly C. Martini serves as executive secretary for communications with the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries.
Last updated on 25 Apr 2008