A Letter To President Bush

President George W. Bush
The White House
Washington DC 20500
Fax 202-456-2461

Dear Mr. President,

In these days of sadness and fear, we are asking our congregations to pray for you and other leaders in this country, that you will find God’s grace, wisdom, and restraint.

We are profoundly saddened by the terrible tragedy that has come to us and horrified that other human beings could premeditate and commit such dreadful acts of violence. And we are fearful that others could suffer similarly if the United States should seek to use violent means to retaliate.

We have heard these calls for retaliation, but we wonder how retaliation could possibly bring safety to more Americans. Our tradition of nonviolence teaches us that more violence will only continue the spiral of violence, placing more and more lives in danger.

Surely a Christian understanding of history has taught us that Jesus expressed the desire of God in such situations. "An eye for an eye" escalates violence for everyone and does not work. We urge you to seek Jesus’ new way of security rooted in our trust in God and our concern for all, including those who make us feel afraid.

Like others, we are angry that planes with innocent human beings on board were turned into missiles of death. Like others, we feel vulnerable and unsafe. But if we do not want to be the targets of such attacks, we should not prepare, threaten or support attacks on others.

Military retaliation will not make our nation more secure.

We ask that you take the lead among world leaders to use civilized and just means to find the terrorists behind these acts of mass destruction. We ask you to use the world court system to seek justice.

Mennonites have served in Israel and Palestine for many years and we have observed the results of "eye for an eye" violence. We lament this futile cycle of violence, retaliation and counter- retaliation. Neither Israelis nor Palestinians feel more secure as a result. A more hopeful path forward is based on justice for all parties and a strong commitment to nonviolence.

We have feared for years that the projection of U.S. military power and domination of global economic relationships could lead to a day like September 11. We pray that our country will not use this tragedy as an opportunity for retaliation, but as an occasion for peaceful action that can truly contribute to global security. Let us recommit ourselves to act justly in our global relationships to build a secure future.

May you find a calm that listens to the voice of God calling you. We implore you to help end the cycle of violence, for as someone has said, "an eye for an eye only makes everyone blind."

Prayerfully,
James Schrag
Executive Director
Mennonite Church USA