There has been a great discussion on this board regarding the war on Iraq. The discussion has been informative and respectful. I would like to thank everyone for treating one another with the love of Christ. I wanted everyone to know other Christians are having a similar dialogue. And Christians around the world are praying. There are days that have been set aside by the National Council of Churches.Today at our interfaith meeting we too expressed our concern. The A.M.E church is a member of the National Council of Churches. There are over 36 christian denominations that are a part of this organization that was founded in 1950. The National council of churches has issued a statement against the war in Irag and is asking for prayer from all it's member churches. There are also 48 religious leaders from the council denouncing a war on Iraq. Our denomination was not represented. The only Black denomination that signed was the National Baptist Association. There are resources and the letter the council has sent out. It was read at our interfaith meeting. Could someone do a direct link to their web page? www.ncccusa.org

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2002

Answers

Rev. Rogers thank you for the update on the dialogue regarding the imminent war against Iraq. The 19th Episcopal District is one of the 26 member churches of the South African Council of Churches. I am not so conversant about whether or not the SACC has issued a statement on the war talk but I have not heard of the 19th Episcopal District or any of the neighbouring districts. That the AME Church, even in your part of the Connection has not issued a statement, what could be the reason? And, why is it, in your opinion, that black churches have been quiet regarding this matter?

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2002

I do not know that our denomination and other black denominations have NOT issued a statement pto or con against the war in Iraq. I am new to our denomination and I do not know what channels such a statement would be issued. In regard to the A.M.E Church since we are a member of the national council of churches, maybe the powers that be felt the statement issued from the National churches..... was suffient. I will check the web pages of the other black denominations to see if a statement has been issued by them also. Again they too are members of the National Council of Churches. Our denomination has a history of being spiritual and politically active so please because there does not seem to be a prepared statement at the moment, we should not infer that our leaders do not care about the war in Iraq. It could be something as simple as trying to reach all the Bishops and drafting a statement. Meanwhile nothing has come out refuting the statement of the National Council of churches of which we are a member. I am assuming all members were contacted. Lastly, this is all my guess work.

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2002

http://www.ncccusa.org I hope this works.

Carmen

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2002

Let's try the link again.

National Council Of Churches Of Christ in the USA

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2002

Robert thanks for the link! You are a genius;-)

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2002