I urge you not to continue down the path of war that you are on.
You and your advisors seem to be unaware of the dangerous precedent that you will be setting by going into a war in the pre-emptive mode. Do you realize that you are going against the roughly 1500 year old Christian tradition of "just war"? That is what the Pope sent someone to remind you. But you should know that it is not just Roman Catholics who hold to this. Virtually all the historic Christian churches do. As an Episcopalian layperson I urge you to talk to others than those you are now talking with and see the dangers into which you are putting us, the United States of America.
Here are some of the dangers:
First you are putting the US in the position of being a mere bully. Iraq did not cause 9-11. If they did I am sure you would show us the proof.
Second, if we attack Iraq now, without UN support, we will be going against the wisdom of the body which we need, if we are ever going to have world peace. Your action will destroy the authority of the UN. I think some of your advisors know this and that is why they have so advised you!
Third, you will give other countries precedent to do the same in other parts of the world.
Fourth, the display of proof that Mr. Powell presented to the UN was not very convincing. Of course Iraq is not a good nation. But where was the smoking gun? What do you really think they are going to do? What have they done in the last 10 years?
Finally you will give the Al-Qeda every reason to resume attacks within our country! May it not be, but if it does happen there will be no doubt why, this time. And there will be no doubt who is responsible!
I urge you as a fellow Christian to study the Church Fathers and the teachings of our Lord (Matthew 5-7) and the various declarations through the centuries on the topic of "just war". Nowhere will you find pre-emptive strikes as being within the bounds of Christian action.
You may have to say: "I was wrong"! So be it, as that is the mark of a true Christian!
Please Mr. President: no war with Iraq! Listen to the voice of the people!
Your fellow citizen
David E. Laughlin
Pittsburgh, PA
March 15, 2003