More than any crisis in modern memory, the War on Terror—including the current U.S. military presence in Iraq—is being debated in religious, usually Christian, terms. We explore the nuances of that debate with a former war correspondent, a political theorist, and a renowned preacher. We ask how and whether Christian principles really make a difference at this moment in our national life—and if not, why not?
Voices
 Rev. Peter J. Gomes
Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and minister to Memorial Church, Harvard University. (photo © Stu Rosner) |
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 Jean Bethke Elshtain
Professor at the University of Chicago, leading political theorist, and author of Just War on Terror: The Burden of American Power in a Violent World. (photo © Spike, PhotoDisc) |
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 Chris Hedges
Writer for The New York Times, veteran war correspondent, and author of War is a Force that Gives us Meaning. (photo © PublicAffairs Books) |
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 Reinhold Niebuhr on War
During a lecture in the 1950s, the religious thinker and social commentator talks about how Christians should approach war. He touches on Harry Truman's decision to drop the A-bomb, the Korean War, the Sermon on the Mount, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was hanged for his part in plots to kill Hitler. Listen |
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Related Links
• "Justice and a Just War": Speaking of Faith examines the just-war tradition in search of answers to questions about when it is permissible to wage war, in this program from November 2001.
• Pew Research Center for the People and the Press: The center is an independent opinion research group that studies attitudes toward the press, politics and public policy issues.
• "Pre-emption, Iraq, and Just War: A Statement of Principles": A statement, released in November 2002, by leading American just-war thinkers, including Jean Bethke Elshtain.
• Media Resources Department at Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education: Find an extensive collection of recordings by Reinhold Niebuhr on audio tape available for purchase.
• The Memorial Church of Harvard University: Find sermons from Peter Gomes here.
• "An Ethical Analysis of the War Against Iraq": This is the perspective of Gerard F. Powers, Director of the Office of International Justice and Peace of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which criticizes the current military action in Iraq using just-war reasoning.
• Sojourners Community: Sojourners Community, in Washington, D.C., is a good starting point for exploring current pacifist perspectives on the war on terror and in Iraq.
• Christianity Today: This site provides an evangelical perspective on the faith dimension of the American response to Sept. 11, including just-war arguments as well as reports from and about Pacifist Christian traditions.
• The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life: This site offers several resources to contribute to the public debate about the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq:
•"Americans Hearing about Iraq From the Pulpit, But Religious Faith Not Defining Opinions": A new poll report
•Just War Tradition: A page describing the issues around of just war theory
•Religious Groups Issue Statements on War with Iraq: a compilation of statements issued by religious leaders and organizations on the war in Iraq
•Religion and American Foreign Policy: a transcript of the speeches at this forum-sponsored event (February 2003)
•Just War and Iraq: a transcript of the speeches at this forum-sponsored event (September 2002)
• Interactive Essays—War in Iraq: Watch and read the experts' views, then have your say on the BBC site.
Recommended Reading
By Jean Bethke Elshtain:
• Just War Against Terror: The Burden of American Power in a Violent World (Basic Books, 2003)
• Women and War (University of Chicago Press, 1995)
• Augustine and the Limits of Politics (University of Notre Dame Press, 1996)
• Just War Theory (Ed.) (New York University Press, 1992)
• Who are We?: Critical Reflections and Hopeful Possibilities (William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2000)
• But Was it Just?: Reflections on the Morality of the Persian Gulf War (Doubleday, 1992)
• Religion in American Public Life: Living with our Deepest Differences (W. W. Norton & Company, 2001)
By Peter J. Gomes:
• The Good Book: Reading the Bible with Mind and Heart (Avon Books, 1996)
• The Good Life: Truths that Last in Times of Need ( Harper, 2002)
By Chris Hedges:
War is a Force that Gives Us Meaning, (Public Affairs, 2002)
Books and Readings by Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971):
• The Nature of Destiny and Man (Prentice Hall, 1949)
• Moral Man and Immoral Society: A Study in Ethics and Politics (Westminster John Knox Press, 2002)
• "Why the Christian Church is Not Pacifist," an essay reprinted in The Essential Niebuhr (Yale University Press, 1986)
Related Readings:
War and Christian Ethics (Baker Book House, 1975): an extensive selection and overview of important Christian thought on war across the ages.
Music
• "Thursday 11:14 a.m. (grey)," by John Hollenbeck, from The Claudia Quintet, Blueshift
• "Chant for Solo Cello," (music by John Tavener) by Steven Isserlis, cello, from Chant for Solo Cello, RCA 09026-68761-2
• "Beatitudes," by Sweet Honey in the Rock, from Live at Carnegie Hall, Flying Fish Records FF 70106
• "Worlds Apart," by Bruce Springsteen, from The Rising, Columbia CD 86600
• "Mirror of Star," by Mitsouko Kado, piano, from Contemporary Piano Music from Japan, MA Recordings 500
• "Waterwheel," by Kronos Quartet, from Pieces of Africa, Elektra Nonesuch 9 79275-2
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