Minute on War with Iraq

The present U.S. Administration, with the support of Congress, proposes to protect democracy by means of preemptive violence against Iraq.

We, the members and attenders of Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, believe there is another way to address issues of injustice and oppression, because the root causes of injustice and oppression, such as greed, thirst for power, and lack of mercy, cannot be solved through violence. We need a new, loving and healing politics. We must examine our own entanglements in these roots.

The citizens of the United States of America continue in turmoil, affected by messages of fear and terror from all directions. We pray that they do not succumb to the temptation of believing in the security promised by military might and action. Only a false security comes through armies or weapons or creating fear, and thus hatred, in others.

From its earliest days, the Religious Society of Friends has held that war is contrary to the spirit of life and love. Looking to the God within, and listening to the words of great religious leaders and others, Friends have renounced weapons of war and used the methods of love and self-sacrifice in their place.

We call on leaders of the United States of America to abandon their plans for an immoral war against Iraq. We call on these leaders to cooperate with the United Nations and to abide by the Constitution of the United States of America.

Approved and minuted at our meeting for business held Fourth Month 6, 2003.

Elizabeth F. Meyer, Clerk