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Delegates struggle with Christian response to war
July-August, 2003
Delegates to the 204th Annual Meeting for the second year in a row tackled the delicate issues surrounding war and peace – but this time they were able to reach strong agreement on a resolution that, in the words of one delegate, “allows pacifists and those in uniform to walk together.”
The “Resolution Concerning a Christian Response to War,” proposed by the Commission on Mission and Justice Ministries does not take a specific stance on the war in Iraq.
Instead, it asks delegates to commit the Conference to: “working for and promoting peaceful resolution of all violent conflicts, in our nation and worldwide.”
It also states the belief that all peaceful options should be exhausted before resorting to war.
Stanley Rossier of the First Congregational Church in Lee, proposed an addition to the resolution, which would have stated that “war is never an acceptable means of resolving differences among nations.”
“We all have to ask ‘could I be the person to pull the trigger, arm the nuclear bomb, fly the plane,’” he said. “I know that I cannot. God calls us to face this on a real basis.”
Other delegates, however, said Rossier’s amendment would prevent many from supporting the resolution. The same thing happened the previous year, when a resolution opposing the expansion of the war on terror caused a rift among delegates, who passed it by a 70 to 30 percent vote.
“I’m concerned about the type of message this amendment would send to our brothers and sisters who wear a uniform,” said Elizabeth Mahoney, a delegate from the First Church (Congregational) in Marlborough.
After a short debate, the amendment was defeated, and the
resolution overwhelmingly passed.