From Germany: An ecumenical declaration of peace

In the tradition of the courageous Dietrich Bonhoeffer, German Christians have authored one of most challenging declarations against economic wars. They dare say: "As baptized Christians we therefore solemnly declare: Whoever prays for soldiers but, at the same time, supports military doctrines for the advancement of economic objectives, commits blasphemy. Those who use national economic objectives to justify military actions no longer adhere to the Gospel and separate themselves from the community of the faithful."

This declaration calls into question the very nature of what it means to be a Christian in time where war and rumors of war are political staples of economic and public policy. I am humbled by their courage, challenged by their faithfulness, and shamed by complicity. Bonhoeffer warned us about "cheap" grace that does not require a sacrifice. Costly grace he pointed out require of us courage. May we like Paul Tillich another Unionite taught us, have Courage to Be.

Dear friends,

The following Declaration against economic wars originated among Christians in the German-speaking countries.
We are now asking Christian sisters and brothers in all countries to give heir support to this Declaration. In the worldwide family of Christians we want to tell the world: "Those who use national economic objectives to justify military actions no longer adhere to the Gospel and separate themselves from the community of the faithful."

We invite you, to sign the Declaration online:
http://www.lebenshaus-alb.de/magazin/aktionen/004988.html

Please give/send this letter to other Christians.

God bless you

Michael Schmid — Member of International Fellowship of Reconciliation
(IFOR), Germany
Peter Buerger — Member of Pax Christi International, Germany

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declaration — english version

Faithfulness to the Gospel and Commitment to the God of Peace
Ecumenical Declaration of Christians of all faith groups on the role of
military doctrines in the advancement of national economic objectives.

Today, pacifists find themselves side by side in the community of the
churches with Christians for whom "preserving peace with weapons" is a
possible option. This community of Christians may go their separate ways but
they accept one another in mutual respect, their unity founded in the
consensus that war cannot be God's will. This consensus is fundamental to
their faith.

In recent years, national economic interests have been increasingly put
forward as valid objectives of military planning in the Western world.
Constitutional amendments have even been sought in order to promote them
more effectively. Thus a number of military doctrines mention, among other
things, "free world markets", free trade and sea routes, access to raw
materials, the secure supply of energy resources, the preservation of
national prosperity and the prevention of immigration from poor regions of
the world.

Neither international law nor the principles of Christian ecumenical peace
ethics condone the use of lethal weapons or putting the lives of civilians
or soldiers at risk for any of these goals.

As baptized Christians we therefore solemnly declare: Whoever prays for
soldiers but, at the same time, supports military doctrines for the
advancement of economic objectives, commits blasphemy*. Those who use
national economic objectives to justify military actions no longer adhere to
the Gospel and separate themselves from the community of the faithful.
We fervently ask all sisters and brothers not to sever the common bond that
unites us, to hold fast to their commitment to the God of Peace, and to
reject and resist each and every political justification of wars waged in
the interests of economic objectives.

[*It goes without saying that this does not condemn the practice of praying
for soldiers. It is however blasphemous if the lives of soldiers are -
hypocritically — placed into the hands of God but AT THE SAME TIME are put
at risk by economically motivated military objectives.]

We invite you, to sign the Declaration online:
http://www.lebenshaus-alb.de/magazin/aktionen/004988.html