Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 2, 1995 TAG: 9509060002
SECTION: RELIGION PAGE: B-9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAVID BRIGGS ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Cold War is over, and the United States should cut back on arms sales, increase development aid to poor countries and resist the temptation to become the world's policeman, says the nation's fifth-largest Protestant denomination.
In a new social statement on peacemaking, however, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America also warns the United States against withdrawing from a leadership role in world affairs.
In a sinful world, Christian ``just-war'' theology, which holds that force may be used to protect the innocent against tyrants, remains valid, the church said in a statement on world peace.
The church also said that loving your neighbor means protecting him from genocide.
``We do not, then - for the sake of the neighbor - rule out possible support for the use of military force. We must determine in particular circumstances whether or not military action is the lesser evil,'' according to the statement approved in an 803-30 vote at the church's biennial assembly held in Minneapolis in mid-August.
The Lutheran statement is filled with scriptural references to God's desire for peace.
``Jesus taught love for one's enemies; he reached out to the oppressed, downtrodden and rejected of the Earth; he prayed for his enemies while himself being rejected on the cross,'' the statement says.
In offering their own perspective, Lutheran leaders also note the church's own - at times sinful - past as advocates of violence.
``We lament that the church has blessed crusades and wars in the name of Jesus Christ.''
In striving to be a model of reconciliation to the world, the Lutheran document adds, the church needs to learn from Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and others the ways they are striving for peace and to work for mutual understanding among people of different faiths.
``We rejoice where people of different religions work together to overcome hostility,'' the statement says.
Among its public policy positions, the Lutheran statement advocates increased support for United Nations peacekeeping efforts; the creation of an International Criminal Court to hold individuals accountable for acts of genocide and war crimes; and the negotiation of a renewed Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
As the world's leading arms exporter, the United States has a special responsibility to reduce arms sales, the statement says.
Leaders of the 5.2 million-member denomination also encourage church members to consider taking part in nonviolent actions to promote peace, and support Lutherans who are conscientious objectors.
While holding on to its ``just-war'' tradition that says force is sometimes necessary to overcome evil, the denomination says the church also ``needs the witness of its members who in the name of Jesus Christ refuse all participation in war, commit themselves to establish peace and justice on Earth by nonviolent power alone and who may suffer and die in their discipleship.''
In a speech before the assembly, Bishop Herbert Chilstrom warned Lutherans to see the distinction between ``peacemaking'' - which he said contains the unrealistic expectations that human beings can bring about permanent peace - and what he called ``peace building.''
``In a sinful world where yesterday's promises and last week's pact or treaty continually falls apart, the most we can do is build peace,'' the denomination's spiritual leader said. ``This is reality. This approach reminds us that the task begins all over again each day, week in and year out.''
by CNB