Make peace an election issue say Christians
-11/04/05
A vision of world security that upholds the poor and needy, puts concern for life, justice and peace at its heart is being offered as a model to Christians preparing to question prospective candidates at the General Election.
Such a vision “rejects security that relies on pre-emptive military intervention, the strength or arms and the demonisation of the other” peace campaigners have said.
They are also urging that resources be re-directed away from military-based policies towards those that work for the elimination of poverty and the protection of the environment.
The General Election Briefing, produced by the Network of Christian Peace Organisations offers focused questions in four specific areas:
1. Investment in peace by reducing military spending and increasing funds to conflict prevention programmes
2. A challenge to continued Government promotion of arms exports and Government subsidies to the arms industry.
3. The need for the UK to live up to its legal obligation to negotiate nuclear disarmament and to take a lead in the global abolition of nuclear weapons.
4. The need for the UK to take responsibility for the turmoil created by the war in Iraq, to support demilitarisation in the Middle East and to play a positive role in supporting peace processes in Israel/Palestine.
Bishop Malcolm McMahon, National President of Pax Christi said; “Christians have a responsibility to ensure that global issues of peace and security are put on the election agenda.
“Over the past four years we have seen all too clearly the devastating impact that war and on-going injustice have had on the most vulnerable in our world. Too often we in the UK have contributed to this suffering when policies that seek security through fear and military might are used. Scripture tells us that real security comes when justice is realised”.
Click here to see copies of the briefing, available on the Pax Christi website