The following is an archived copy of a message sent to a Discussion List run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
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Dear Bert and List, You are right, I put this very badly. Please forgive me. (It was 3:00 a.m. when I wrote it.) My response to the previous poster's interest in joint efforts by religious groups wasn't meant to denigrate these efforts or their value. And the comment that I am "not religious either" wasn't meant to signify disrespect. (I respect all religions and beliefs - raised a Catholic.) By "moral grounds" I was using the wrong term. Everyone condemns war on moral grounds - religious believer or non-believer alike, myself included. What I meant was the philosophical (?) considerations of "just war" which sometimes qualify the condemnations. The position of Buddhists or Quakers is unequivocally pacifist - no use of force for any reason. This is the position I'm most comfortable with. Albert Schweitzer, who was troubled by killing fish for his pelican, spoke of a deep Reference for Life. But I am interested in the views of all religious leaders. Several groups in the US have condemned the proposed war on Iraq outright. They are also concerned about the effects of the silent war - the sanctions. Admittedly, I did felt ambivalent about the Pope's position. Initially, at least, he was quoted in the European press as condemning merely a "unilateral action" which, however justified, he could not condone. Since then, as the latest posting on CASI shows, the Vatican has taken an unequivocal stand. It states clearly that the war was "motivated by economics". No-one of such influence has challenged the motives before. Kudos to Civilta Cattolica for speaking the "naked truth"! So please don't be angry, if I think that all of this may have little effect. I want very much that something would - religious, non-religious; coalition or individuals. All efforts count. I hope the American people can make a difference (Bush asked for public opinions). And if the EU took a stand... Regards, Elga Sutter ------------Original Message------------ Date: Thu, 16 Jan 2003 15:52:19 +0000 From: Bert Gedin <gedinbert@hotmail.com> To: citext@chebucto.ns.ca Cc: gedinbert@hotmail.com Subject: Re: [casi] cyber war Dear Elga (& List) Your interest in religion puzzles me - if you are non-religious, as you seem to be saying, why should you concern yourself so much with joint efforts between different religions (= multi-faith) to condemn the proposed war(s)? You have just heard that the Pope was opposed - haven't you been following the news, he hasn't become 'anti' in the last few weeks (by the way, I'm catholic, not Catholic)? So, you aren't interested in, if I understand you rightly, a religious solution, but you also say that moral grounds may have little effect. If religion & morality are out, what remains? Bush/Blair politics? Nothing at all? What may be effective is a coalition of differing groups & individuals, who, hopefully, are concerned with the survival of humanity. Greetings, Bert Gedin (Birmingham, U.K.). _______________________________________________ Sent via the discussion list of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To unsubscribe, visit http://lists.casi.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/casi-discuss To contact the list manager, email casi-discuss-admin@lists.casi.org.uk All postings are archived on CASI's website: http://www.casi.org.uk