“It’s as if we are flinging the creation back in the Creator’s face, as if to say: What You gave us wasn’t good enough.” Jonathan Schell
So what do you say we push back with a strong witness to eliminate the nuclear threat? “The 2011 request for Weapons Dismantlement and Disposition is … 39.6% below the FY 2010 level.” (Dr. Robert Civiak) Additionally, President Obama’s proposed 2011 budget asks for a 14% increase over 2010 for Nuclear Weapons Activities. It seems that the rhetoric of peace and nuclear draw down of the Administration is not consistent with the funding plan being proposed. Episcopalians in particular would do well to speak strongly to their Congressional representatives about this unsettling reality. Here are several reasons why: (1) General Convention 2009 Resolution D060 reads, “Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General Convention commend the President’s recent invitation to scale down the world’s nuclear weapons stockpile; and be it further Resolved, That this Convention call upon U.S. policy makers to determine a timely process for the dismantling of existing U.S, nuclear weapons while urging other nations to do likewise; and be it further Resolved, That this Church urge the President and Congress to explore a moratorium on production of new nuclear weapons.”
(2) 1982 Resolution D030 – Endorse Bilateral Freeze on Testing and Production of Nuclear Weapons
(3) 1988 Resolution D136 – Urge Continued Reduction of Nuclear Weapons and Fund instead Human Needs
(4) 1994 Resolution D122 – Urge U.S. President to Sign Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
(5) 1997 Resolution D022 – Support the Goal of Total Nuclear Disarmament
Since this an Action Group page, please do all in your power to pray for and work with others who seek an end to this deadly industry and untenable strategy for dealing with international conflict. From continuing challenges being filed by utilities and states to enable them to get rid of their ‘used’ nuclear fuel, to the documented dangers to uranium miners and surrounding communities worldwide that are getting sick and polluted, now is an important time to take seriously the stewardship of the earth and the call to be peace Makers.
Please check out Beyond Nuclear at www.beyondnuclear.org or the Spring 2009 Reflections from Yale Divinity School “Faith and the Future of Nuclear Weapons” or http://nevedadesertexperience.org for content, good theology and ways to act on your concerns. Also, be sure to hook up with Episcopal Public Policy Network at eppn@episcopalchurch.org.
Many companies and nations are lining up to obtain licenses to build new reactors in the U.S. The ‘Green’ revolution has somehow encouraged fresh consideration of nuclear power as the answer to our dependency on fossil fuels. It is no answer any more than the words clean and coal can go together. Action and advocacy to reduce our energy consumption, develop sustainable energy sources, and learn to make war no more are the answer in our time. Please witness within your parish/faith community and through coalitions close to you. Let EPF be a resource for you who seek support and information. Let us know what is proving helpful to you as well so we can share it.
(Rev. Wm. E. Exner, EPF, with thanks to Pamela Moffat for ongoing support from D.C. and Dr. Thomas Lee of N.H. Peace Action)
