Moving Toward Nuclear Disarmament
February 7, 2012
We live in a time when the tide is turning
regarding the development of nuclear weapons – in the direction of nuclear
disarmament. More than half the world is currently classified by the United
Nations as Nuclear Weapon Free Zones, and many cities within the United States
have declared themselves nuclear free zones as well.
The
Church of the Brethren has consistently been
a witness for peace throughout our history, and one of the greatest
threats to the peace of this world is nuclear weapons. At this critical moment,
we are asking you to join in a nationwide effort to push the Obama
administration to dramatically reduce our reliance on nuclear weapons and move
us closer to a nuclear weapons free world.
Over the next few weeks and months, President
Obama will write new guidance that will lead to a new nuclear war plan and new
requirements for the size and structure of the U.S. nuclear arsenal. It could
be his last major opportunity to shift U.S. reliance on nuclear weapons
Click here
to join the Campaign
for a Nuclear Weapons Free World in encouraging President Obama to
end outdated U.S. nuclear war-fighting strategy, dramatically reduce the number
of U.S. nuclear weapons and the number of submarines, missiles, and bombers
that carry those weapons, and take U.S. nuclear weapons off high alert.
Maintaining large numbers of nuclear forces on alert increases the risk of
accident or miscalculation.
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The
1977 Annual Conference Statement “Justice and Nonviolence” reads as follows,
“We
place a high priority on changing political structures in order to reverse the
present spiral of violence, militarism, and the armaments race. The Church of
the Brethren must be decisive in shaping its own programs and calling all
Christians and other persons of good will to encourage the United States to:
- cease
immediately its sales of arms to other countries
- pledge not to use nuclear weapons
- dismantle its nuclear arsenal
- provide
leadership to ban environmental warfare
- strengthen
global institutions that facilitate nonviolent means of conflict resolution and
the process of disarmament
- curtail
foreign military aid and training
- refuse
to sell nuclear fuels and technology to any state not agreeing to the
Non-Proliferation Treaty and inspection by the International Atomic Energy
Agency
- end
its secret intelligence gathering and its political intervention in foreign
countries
- discontinue
any policy which strengthens unpopular, repressive, and unjust regimes by
financial aid, military and intelligence training, and political favoritism
- provide
tax alternatives, such as the World Peace Tax Fund, for those conscientiously
opposed to the current level of military spending
- transfer
immediately the funds in the military budget to life-giving programs
discontinue the Junior ROTC program.”
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1991 Annual Conference
Statement, Peacemaking: The Call of God’s People in History
reads: “The church and Christians are called by God to witness to the gospel of
peace with such intensity that nations repent and history is changed. Less than
a radical witness can only lead us to accept idols of materialism, personal and
national security at the expense of justice, blind nationalism, the
glorification of military strength, and dependence on technological solutions
for human problems.
Therefore, the Church
of the Brethren shall:
- continue
to commit funds, staff and energies to a presence in Washington, D.C., helping
our members keep abreast of public issues and speak truth to the principalities
and powers;
- develop
networks on the district and national level for study and action on public
policies of concern to the church, and to mobilize the church to respond;
- advance
efforts toward a more peaceful world order through supporting the peacemaking
efforts of the United Nations and recognizing the jurisdiction of the
International Court of Justice;
- work
for a more just international economic order in which all people are able to
secure their basic human needs;
- support
policies and legislation which radically reduce military spending and convert
our national priorities to peaceful and life affirming production;
- encourage
the demilitarization of international relations and promote non-violent forms
of defense (civilian-based defense);
- advocate
the forging of bilateral and multilateral agreements and treaties which abolish
nuclear, biological, chemical and conventional weaponry;
- affirm
policies which foster human rights at home and abroad.”
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Click here to receive action alerts from
the Church of the Brethren, and/or other e-communications.
For more information about the witness ministries of
the Church of the Brethren, contact Jordan Blevins, Advocacy Officer for the
Church of the Brethren:
Jordan Blevins
C/O National Council of Churches
110 Maryland Ave. NE
Suite 108
Washington, DC 20002
jblevins@brethren.org
202-481-6943
