The National Conference of Viet Nam Veteran Ministers, an ecumenical organization comprised of clergy who served in Vietnam, meeting in Washington, DC November 6-9, 1990, issued the following statement with respect to the military build-up in the Middle East:
Out of our experiences at My Lai, the Siege of Khe Sanh, the Phoenix Program, the TET Offensive, and the other battles of Vietnam, caring ministries have already emerged. Yet another ministry remains for us. As our nation stands once again at the very brink of war, we must remind our fellow Americans of the great truth which we recall in prayer before The Wall: War does cruel violence to humanity. War dehumanizes both ourselves and our enemies. War thrusts upon us the low morality of mere survival. It imposes upon us silence in the face of evil and causes us to forget our quest for peace and mercy.
Our religious traditions remind us that war can only be allowed as a last resort. The true weapons of peace are compassion, forgiveness, understanding, justice and love. No decision about war can be taken without recognition of its true consequences. Having ourselves experienced these consequences, we stand ready to go anywhere at any time to promote peace, reconciliation and healing.
Return to Peace and Justice Statements.