In response to the ongoing war in Ukraine, Disciples Peace Fellowship joined more than 20 national and regional faith-based organizations to send a letter to President Biden and members of Congress urging the support and amplification of creative nonviolent resistance actions rather than maintaining the killing and escalation of war. The letter also urges the support and focus on a kind of diplomacy that is willing to compromise for the sake of saving lives.
In addition to DPF, the signatories include the Fellowship of Reconciliation (our parent organization) and other interfaith movements, as well as groups representing specific faith traditions — from Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant Christians to Hindus, Jains, Jews, Muslims, Zoroastrians, and more. In the letter the signers explain that, “The war in Ukraine is a spiritual, human, and ecological catastrophe. We have failed to escape the cycle of threats, blame, and retribution which escalates hostility and distrust. We have failed to engage diplomacy focused on the dignity and human needs of the key stakeholders, with a willingness to compromise, and a focus on saving lives. We have failed to adequately train people in nonviolent conflict, resistance and civilian-based defense. Let’s not make these mistakes again.”
The signers go on to explain the kinds of creative nonviolent actions that can help to break the cycles of violence and illuminate the way of just peace. They conclude that “the U.S. is positioned to contribute to ending the cycle of violence and ensuring a just and lasting peace. We urge you to choose that path.”