Sample letter to the editor

Preface

I would like to encourage the congregations of Mennonite Church Canada that another voice needs to be heard than the voice of CNN and the voice of US President Bush. The Anabaptist community has a significant moment in history to take advantage of this opportune time to speak the words of Christ's peace and the way of God's shalom. One of the ways that we strengthen our own peace teachings and understandings is to act on that teaching. A letter to your local paper at this time would speak the words of an alternative voice to violence. Stating your position and also creating an opportunity to dialogue with the church could be an important event for someone who is seeking the way of peace and does not have a faith community. Others may simply wish to explore what the Anabaptist peace understanding is. There may also be ways in which your congregation would find others ecumenically who would affirm the biblical peace understanding. Dialogue and possible action could come from such an exchange.

What the Spirit will do in this time, we do not know. What we must do, however, is to be open to the Spirit's leading, and to move out with the faith that we have. Our children and our teenagers will also be strengthened and empowered to live Jesus' way of peace as they see the church in action and through example. Be in prayer as to what the Spirit is saying to your congregation, and let us know here at Mennonite Church Canada so that we may support you in prayer and in spirit.

God bless your ministry in this time.
Marilyn Houser Hamm

Letter to the editor

October 11, 2001

Dear Editor,

The events of September 11 represent a tragedy of mammoth proportions. Even so, I am deeply distressed that the United States and Britain have begun a massive military strike against Afghanistan, and that Canada is supporting them.

History teaches us that violence begets violence. While military action may weaken Osama Bin Laden=s terrorist network, it will almost certainly increase the alienation and resentment that allow terrorism to grow.

These military strikes will also cause the deaths of many innocent civilians and further destroy a country whose people have already known years of war, famine and repression.

Alternative responses to the terrorism of September 11 are possible. Canada should press for the following:

1) The persons involved in perpetrating the attacks should be held accountable for their actions but this should be done in accordance with the principles of "due process." This means, among other things, authorization from the United Nations Security Council and reliance on international law.

2) We must do more to address the situations of grievance and injustice in which terrorism grows. In civil society, we cannot wipe out crime by simply employing more police officers and building larger prisons, while neglecting the social and economic conditions that foster criminal activity. Likewise, we cannot expect to wipe out terrorism without coming to terms with those grievances that give it support.

3) We must build a better future for the world=s children. Every day, 35,000 of the world=s children die from lack of food, polluted water, and other unnecessary causes. Canada=s foreign aid budget has fallen to record lows. Increased assistance will help to counter the conditions that feed extremism.

4) We must re-frame the questions of national security in terms of human security. True security for Canadians and Americans lies in security and well-being for all people.

Canada can help the world to find this better way.

Esther Epp-Tiessen
Peace Ministries Coordinator
MCC Canada