Presbyterian Office of Public Witness and other faith-based groups write Biden and Congress
by Darla Carter | Presbyterian News Service
A view of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Photo courtesy of the Office of Public Witness)
LOUISVILLE — The Presbyterian Office of Public Witness is among several religious groups that have signed a letter expressing deep concern about what they see as an escalation of tensions between the United States and Iran.
The Washington-based OPW and other faith-based groups, such as the Friends Committee on National Legislation and the National Council of Churches, asks President-elect Joe Biden and Congress to take specific steps to keep the situation from worsening in the region.
“The recent murder of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh and the coterminous movement of U.S. warships to the Gulf region have sharply raised the risk of armed confrontation,” the letter states. “Our faith traditions teach us that in times of uncertainty and conflict, the best way forward is through diplomacy and peacemaking, not war or threats of violence.”
The letter notes that nuclear challenges have been heightened by the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal (also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), the assassination of General Qassim Soleimani last January and harmful U.S. and international sanctions.
“The U.S. has imposed crippling sanctions which causes harm to Iranian civilians without advancing the stated goals of nuclear deterrence,” OPW’s director, the Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, said in a written statement.
The letter asks for these actions to be taken by the United States:
- Publicly condemn the assassination of Fakhrizadeh.
- Demonstrate restraint.
- Actively seek the de-escalation of tensions.
- Support the expeditious return by both sides to the terms of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
“More threats, sanctions and use of military force will only further destabilize the region and result in the loss of precious human life on all sides,” the letter states. “War will impact the most vulnerable, causing irreparable harm and dimming prospects for peace.”
Hawkins said OPW became a signatory to the letter because conflict with Iran could have deadly repercussions.
“Diplomatic relations with Iran and the international community are at an all-time low,” he said. “The goals of the United States, to deter Iran from becoming a nuclear power, are better achieved by a diplomatic resolution. It is a much better approach to re-enter the Iran nuclear agreement, which hampers their ability to proceed in weapons acquisition.”
He also noted that the Nov. 27 assassination of Fakhrizadeh, near Tehran, “is dangerous to peace in the Middle East as repercussions will follow and lead to possible actions on the part of the U.S.”
The Office of Public Witness is one of the Compassion, Peace and Justice ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency.
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