A resolution on American actions in Iraq

Approved by the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area
meeting at Hope Presbyterian Church, Richfield, MN,
on May 11, 2004

[posted here 5-13-04]

Whereas we the members of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area have been surprised and dismayed by recent revelations of the mistreatment of detainees of American forces in Iraq, and

Whereas such treatment betrays both our Christian understanding of the dignity of all human beings as children of God, and the international treaties and laws which provide for some order among the nations, and

Whereas it is our responsibility as Christians and as citizens of the United States of America to protest such violations of human dignity,

We therefore express our shame and penitence for our own responsibility, however limited, for these abuses, and resolve to pray and work to prevent their continuation, and

We further call upon our government, and specifically the President of the United States as the Commander in Chief, to

(1) offer clear and sincere apologies to the people who have been harmed by this mistreatment, as well as to the people of Iraq and of the United States, and to do this in ways that will communicate to people of Muslim faith and Arab culture;

(2) offer significant compensation to the victims of American abuses;

(3)  take appropriate action against all those who have been responsible for these abuses, at all levels of military and civilian command;

(4)  take clear and effective steps to ensure that such abuses are halted;

(5)  create a respected and nonpartisan committee to conduct an open and public investigation of the many factors that may have created the situation in which such abuses could take place; and

(6)  report to the American people within 60 days the preliminary results of that investigation.


It is hereby requested that the Stated Clerk distribute this resolution to the President of the United States, to the U.S. Senators and Representatives from Minnesota, and to the local media.




Note: This resolution was drafted before reports of the execution of Nick Berg by Islamic militants drove home to all of us the terrible violence that is being done by people on the other side of the Iraq conflict. The criticism of US actions in no way justifies or excuses the actions of the killers of Mr. Berg. 

If the cycle of violence is ever to end, who will take the first steps?

We welcome your comments!
If you have thoughts about this statement,
or have other statements to be shared here,
please send a note!

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A visitor offers a thoughtful comment on this resolution.

[5-14-04]

Dear Doug,

First, the good news: although you and I see differently on many issues, I too am broken-hearted over the horrible abuses being reported from Iraq. I also agree that the church has an important voice with which to speak to the public at large and our government leaders in particular, expressing our sense of God's anguish and indignation, and calling for repentance and justice.

Now for the other part: the resolution specified steps for the current administration to follow in response to the reports of prisoner abuse, including investigation, compensation of victims, and a 60-day time frame for reporting results to the public. Our tradition is firmly based on a relationship to civil authorities that asks nothing more than basic security and protection from the government, and offers exemplary demonstrations of Kingdom living in return. The Witherspoon Society has been vigilant and vocal in its monitoring of the "Religious Right's" interference with and undue influence of civil affairs. How is this resolution any different?

I applaud the effort to speak a prophetic word as the church of Jesus Christ to a matter that is deeply troubling. Hopefully we can do that while avoiding the pitfall of prescribing the government's work.

Sincerely,

Carl Grosse, pastor
First Presbyterian Church
Farmington, Minnesota

We welcome your comments!
If you have thoughts about this statement,
or have other statements to be shared here,
please send a note!