Christian Church Opposes Iraq War

Bush could once count upon religious Americans in general to support his going to war in Iraq, but not anymore. It is another sign of the dwindling support in America for Bush's war in Iraq.

This week, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) have been having their biennial convention at the convention center in Fort Worth. The Christian Church is not generally regarded as a wild-eyed liberal congregation, but you wouldn't know that to look at the resolution the thousands of delegates passed this week.

Two years ago, this moderate group supported the president on the Iraqi war, out of respect for the soldiers fighting the war. But after seeing no progress made in the last two years, they are no longer willing to support the endless war.

Rev. Tom Plumbley of First Christian Church of Fort Worth (pictured above) said of 2005 "we did not speak out because our sons and daughters were on the battlefield and we were told they could not bear to hear anything but the most glowing assent to the nation's sacrifice of them. But they are still there -- and the church has allowed itself to be bullied and fear-mongered into silent submission."

But they are no longer silent. The delegates passed a resolution saying the war in Iraq was contrary to the teachings of Jesus. Then they went even further. They also gave their support to military personnel who refuse to be deployed to Iraq because of their christian principles.

This has to be a devastating blow to Bush. The support of American christians is something he has always counted upon. The Catholic church and liberal churches like the Episcopalians had already jumped ship. Now the moderate churches are also beginning to withdraw their support.

Bush is left with only the ultra-right "fundies" who think the Bible tells them to vote Republican, and some of them are beginning to feel uneasy about the war. If Republicans insist on supporting Bush's occupation of Iraq, they may find they don't have much of a base left in the next election.

It is time for Democrats to step forward and force Bush to end this horrible war and bring all of our troops home. If they do, they will find that they are supported by a large majority of Americans.