Words, Not War, With Iran

In September of 2006, an interfaith group of religious leaders responded to the increased threat of military action in Iran with a strong statement: “Words, Not War, with Iran.” Thousands of religious Americans heeded the call for dialogue and signed onto the statement.

As rhetoric between the U.S. and Iran increased, religious communities came together in new ways to pray for peace and work for understanding between the U.S. and Iran. A meeting of religious leaders last fall with Iranian President Ahmadinejad in New York led to an ecumenical delegation to Iran in February 2007 organized by the American Friends Service Committee and the Mennonite Central Committee. Thirteen religious leaders from the U.S. met with Iranian religious leaders and became the first group of Americans to meet with a sitting Iranian President in Iran since the 1979 revolution.

As the ecumenical delegation entered into dialogue with the people of Iran, many different stories emerged, including a vastly different narrative of U.S. and Iranian relations than the one told in the U.S. The participants in the delegation realized the importance of dialogue as a way to renew the relationship between the U.S. and Iran.

In the words of Jeff Carr:

What is clear to me . . . is that we must find a way to tell our stories and to have our stories heard. And then we must begin to write a new narrative together. One that comes out of humility, mutual respect, and shared understanding. I am convinced it is the only path for a true and lasting peace with justice.

May God help both our nations and peoples to begin the healing and reconciliation process so we may avoid war and build that lasting peace.

Sojourners and Faithful Security have compiled numerous resources to enable people of faith who pray for peace to work toward increased dialogue between the U.S. and Iran. Together, we can ensure that our nation seeks to resolve conflict by focusing on dialogue and diplomacy rather than military action.