Thomas Merton Center Statement on Current Crisis

Thomas Merton Center members and friends continue to grieve for the victims of the recent attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and those in the four civilian aircraft.  We commend the heroic efforts of public safety personnel and the many others, who at great personal risk, are working to rescue and treat the victims of these tragedies.  We strongly condemn all acts of terrorism.

            We are concerned, however, about the U.S. government’s response to this tragedy.  We fear that the tremendous generosity, acts of compassion, and self-sacrifice of many Americans during this time of mourning are being used by the administration as expressions of support for a war effort.  Our concerns about any U.S. declaration of war include the following:

1. Public statements about war fail to identify the “enemy” or specific targets for retaliation.  War against whom?  We fear that public rhetoric demonizing “the enemy” may lead to hostile attacks on Arabs in general or to all members of the Islamic faith.  America must be a safe place for all our citizens in all their diversity.  It is important that our citizens who share national origins, ethnicity, or religion with whoever attacked us are, themselves, protected.
    

2.  The targeting of entire nations, such as Afghanistan and Pakistan, opens the door both to unlimited and protracted war within these nations and to further retaliation against the U.S.
    

3. We oppose any retaliation by the U.S. government that threatens the lives of innocent civilians.  To respond to an act of terrorism with another act of terrorism against innocents will do nothing to further the cause of justice.  We must refuse to become what we fight against.  We can deny the terrorists their victory by refusing to submit to a world of vengeance created in their image.  It bears repeating that violence only begets more violence.
    

4. In declaring a state of war there is the concern that there will be a suspension of many of our cherished civil liberties as part of the war effort.  It is an inherent contradiction to fight for democracy by unnecessarily restricting civil liberties at home.
    

5. Promoting war as the only solution to this crisis does not deal with many of the underlying causes of anti-American sentiment throughout the world.  It is important that the American people make a special concerted effort to understand the sources of anger and hostility against our government.  If we fail to address the roots of this anger – poverty, injustice, the arms trade, globalization and U.S. military dominance – then the violence and terrorism is sure to continue, regardless of what the U.S. does to prevent it.  In the oft-repeated words of Pope Paul VI, “if you want peace, work for justice.”
    

            We appeal to our government to seek nonviolent solutions to this tragedy that will not further escalate the violence and suffering already inflicted on our people.  We call for a time of diplomacy based on mutual respect and understanding.  We share in the deep anger toward those who so callously destroy innocent lives, no matter the grievances or injustices involved.  We demand that those responsible be brought to justice in an international war crimes trial, with the support of the international community.

            We recommit ourselves in this difficult time to work toward a vision of world peace based on justice and respect for all.  We call all people of good will to unite against the bitter fruits of hatred and division. We support actions that promote global peace and human dignity.  Our mission statement guides us in formulating a response to this tragedy:

            “The Thomas Merton Center works to instill a consciousness of values, and to raise the moral questions involved in the issues of war, poverty, racism, and oppression.  TMC members are people from diverse philosophies and faiths who find common ground in the nonviolent struggle to bring about a more peaceful and just society.”

Join our email list and be notified of important local news and events.

"I am against war, against violence, against violent revolution, for peaceful settlement of differences, for nonviolent but nevertheless radical changes. Change is needed, and violence will not really change anything: at most it will only transfer power from one set of bull-beaded authorities to another."  Thomas Merton
© Thomas Merton Center 2002