[Peace-discuss] One last time on the church issue.

[Phil Stinard]

Hello Tammy,

I'll repeat some of the comments that I made to Jan's post, and then extend 
my comments a little.  Before doing something as drastic as creating an 
AWARE "presence" outside local churches, dialogue is essential.  If you have 
not attempted dialogue, then don't antagonize them by invading their 
personal space, and by personal space, I mean being on their property, or in 
plain view of parishioners.  Secondly, I would highly recommend that the 
people involved in any church action be people of faith themselves, people 
who know the issues and the language of the church in question and have 
respect for the church.  Third, that such activities not be officially 
sponsored AWARE activities unless there is consensus (real consensus 
involving conflict resolution, not a 90% rule invocation) that AWARE 
proceed.  If AWARE doesn't agree on a particular action, there is nothing to 
stop individuals from acting on their own, provided that AWARE's name is not 
used.  These are extraordinary actions you're contemplating, and I want to 
make sure that you really think about what you're doing, and the 
consequences.  There is a huge difference between a church and the Taste of 
the CIA, for example, or between a church and a military recruiting office.  
I feel like a voice in the wilderness on this issue--I'm hoping that there 
will be more thoughtful discussion, but I've pretty much had my say on the 
issue.

--Phil

>Date: Mon, 7 Nov 2005 09:49:13 -0800 (PST)
>From: Tammy Watts <tammyewatts at yahoo.com>
>Subject: [Peace-discuss] Rogue Congregations
>To: peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
>Message-ID: <20051107174913.33819.qmail at web53108.mail.yahoo.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
>Hello All:
>
>Yes, the subject line may be a little melodramatic, but it was the most 
>appropriate term I could think of.  Jan's experience with the Lutheran 
>Church mirrors mine with a Brethren denomination before I left Ohio.  The 
>official position of the Church of the Brethren is anti-war; as stated in 
>their tenets:  "...Opposes on Scriptural grounds...war and the taking of 
>human life..." with several Bible verses cited for support.  However, the 
>congregation of which I was a member overwhelmingly supported the war in 
>Iraq.  Only the minister and his wife opposed it, and sadly I have just 
>learned that they have been given their notice to leave.  These "rogue 
>congregations" in conservative pockets throughout the country have not only 
>abandoned Biblical doctrine and the principles on which Jesus' ministry was 
>founded, but their own national charters.
>
>I am happy that this issue is a priority to AWARE, and once it is 
>determined what action is appropriate at which churches, I will be eager to 
>participate.
>
>Tammy