June 22-29

Each Sunday, I, along with the clergy and clergy organizations that constitute the African American Clergy Collective of Tennessee—which is a 501(c)4 advocacy organization of Black clergy across this state—will be sharing a weekly update called “Facts and Faith in Five.” There was an entirely different update prepared until last evening.

We are all well aware that yesterday evening, at the behest of President Trump, the United States bombed three nuclear facilities in Iran. For all we know, there was no pre-text for this attack. There was no apparent threat to the safety of the United States or its military around the world. Although the president call this a success, here are the facts. 60% of Americans are opposed to the United States being engaged in a war abroad. Further it is a violation of the US Constitution and the War Powers act which clearly gives Congress the discretion in declaring war. Although Governor Lee says that “President Trump made a courageous decision to seek peace through strength” this act of aggression limits the possibility for peace in the Middle East as well as the
larger world.

It is quite possible that the US involvement in this war may be a personal grudge the president has with Iran since US intelligence reports Iranian plots to take his life before last year’s election. Or quite possibly it is to justify the proposed $150 billion increase to defense spending in the BIG “ugly” BILL while cutting fundamental food and health care programs buy $1.1 trillion. Part and parcel of the increased defense spending is the development of a “Golden Dome” that will guard the entire country from an intercontinental ballistic missile attack. It is immoral that a nation that claims to be Christian would rather spend billion on weapons of war than put food on the table of its citizens.

Bible is clear as to the Christian position on war. Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount tells us “blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. Paul admonishes us in Romans, “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. … Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.’” And Isaiah gives us the serene vision of peace when he writes, “He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” There is no biblical grounds are justification for the militaristic stance of this nation.

As we trust that God is our refuge and strength and a very present help in times of trouble we must do our part to awaken the US House and Senate to rein in this rouge president from inciting a third world war. We pray for peace on earth and we pray for the safety of men and women in the US armed forces who are deployed in that region of the world as well as the over 90 million civilians in Iran.

Rev. Dr. J. Lawrence Turner

African American Clergy Collective of Tennessee