VALLEY FORGE, PA (7/11/19)—American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) Executive Director Dr. Jeffrey Haggray joined U.S. faith leaders in contributing to and signing a declaration that decries launching war on Iran. To be shared by the signatories with their respective constituencies, the statement was announced yesterday on Washington, D.C.’s Capitol Hill with a news conference hosted jointly by Sojourners and the Friends Committee on National Legislation.

“A United States war with Iran would be an unmitigated disaster, morally and religiously indefensible,” reads the statement, in part. “U.S. faith leaders must be among the first to rise up, say “No!”—and call for better, more effective, life-saving ways forward.”

Calling for a “different approach,” the statement outlines suggestions for engaging in diplomacy with Iran; ceasing punitive trade sanctions on the Iranian populace; and establishing safeguards for Gulf-related shipping.

“The United States government stands in a uniquely powerful position to reject volatile rhetoric and provocative military gestures that increase the likelihood of conflict with Iran,” says Haggray. “I pray our nation’s political leadership will heed the concerns raised by faith leaders, and lead with acts of diplomacy and peacemaking.”

Additional individuals and organizations are encouraged to add their signatures to the declaration and to pray for peace between the United States and Iran.

The statement can be found here and under the online hashtag #NoWarWithIran.

American Baptist Home Mission Societies partners with American Baptists to promote Christian faith, cultivate Christ-centered leaders and disciples, and bring healing and transformation to communities across the United States and Puerto Rico.

American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.