We are alarmed at the tone our nation’s leaders have taken toward Iran, recognizing the same rhetoric that preceded attacks on Iraq. We share concerns about an Iran with nuclear capabilities, but wars are not a quick or effective way to resolve disputes. Simply look at Iraq, a nation in a terrible state as the result of more than four years of war. The effect of an attack on Iran would more likely result in stronger, not weaker, resolve to acquire nuclear power and possible weapons. Furthermore, many military leaders and experts agree that increased aggression by the U. S. in the Middle East is likely to escalate extremism. From a theological perspective there is no moral justification for such an action, as preemptive war is immoral from Christian and humanitarian perspectives. We have attacked a non-nuclear state, Iraq, and negotiated with a nuclear state, North Korea, showing Iran, the third “axis of evil” nation, that nuclear power is necessary to avoid attack. The United States must prove that belief wrong. We are glad that our government has been willing to engage in multilateral talks with Iran, but we feel that more is needed. We need direct U. S.--Iran diplomatic talks without preconditions. This has been successfully employed with North Korea, showing that words can resolve disputes effectively. We urge our nation’s leaders to pursue diplomatic means to resolve this conflict.
