Statement from the Rev. William G. Sinkford
President, Unitarian Universalist Association
Concerning the Military Actions of the United States
 (03/20/03) In this time of war, I am called to express the position
of the Unitarian Universalist faith community concerning the military
actions of the United States.
The Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations adamantly opposes
the pre-emptive military action against Iraq. This opposition is based
upon numerous resolutions made by our Association over many years in support
of the United Nations as the appropriate body through which international
conflicts are to be resolved. There is little disagreement that Saddam
Hussein is a cruel tyrant who poses danger throughout his region and beyond,
but there is vast disagreement over the methods we should employ to address
this particular threat.
I am deeply concerned about the ramifications of the United States’
acting against Iraq without the support of the United Nations; this unilateral
action compromises the ability of the United Nations to be a force for
peace and sends a disturbing message about the United States commitment
to the family of nations. I recognize that the United States government’s
rush to war has fractured alliances that have served us well for more
than half a century. I know the actions of our government will affect
our relationship with the Muslim world. And I fear that this pre-emptive
attack on Iraq will result in increased terrorism.
My heart is heavy when I ponder the immense cost of this war in the lives
that will be lost: the troops on both sides of the conflict and the innocent
non-combatants who surely will die. I am concerned, too, that the money
spent on this war will cripple our country’s ability to respond
to the crying needs of the least fortunate among us.
Let me be clear: not all Unitarian Universalists are opposed to this
military action. But one of the great strengths of our faith community
is that we Unitarian Universalists know that we need not think alike to
love alike. No matter what the future brings, our congregations will continue
to be places where people of faith can bring their authentic, complex,
and even contradictory feelings and opinions. This is the heart of the
covenant we have made with one another.
It is understandable for those of us who have been speaking out for peace
to feel a sense of futility as our voices have gone unheard by our government.
Yet even as the war begins, I see signs of hope in how opposition to this
war has coalesced. In the protests and peace vigils, in churches and town
squares, I see a country reclaiming its democracy. I trust that we will
continue to raise our voices in opposition to this war, in support of
our troops, and in the undeniable knowledge that humanity has but a single
destiny on this fragile planet that is our home.
See Also: Resources
for Unitarian Universalists - The War Against Iraq
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