The White House
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. President:
At this time of unprecedented anguish and loss for the American
people, we, as followers of Jesus Christ, commit ourselves to pray for
you and other national leaders who must decide how to respond to these
recent horrific acts of violence. We mourn the deaths and the shattered
lives. We utterly reject the brutal tactics of those who inflicted
these grievous wounds.
We commend you for calling this nation to prayer and remembrance,
for visiting those who are in pain and grief, and for encouraging us
all to refrain from rash actions against our fellow citizens of diverse
cultures and religions.
We pray:
That as you and other global leaders work together to bring those
responsible for this violence to justice, that you will respond with
restraint. We wish to be a nation whose actions reflect a consistent
and just application of the ideals and values we so often proclaim.
Both Scripture and experience have taught us that violent and excessive
retaliation plants seeds of hatred that someday yield further terror
and bloodshed.
That we as a nation will carefully examine how we have acted toward
other people and nations in recent decades. When we recognize that our
attitudes and actions have contributed to mistrust, despair and hatred,
we will repent.
That we will refrain from vilifying entire peoples or nations. The
majority of Arabs and Muslims, for example, condemn the acts of terror
inflicted upon America.
That people and communities in this nation will continue to reach
out to each other in comfort and healing, friendship and
reconciliation, generosity and hope.
We encourage you to consider seriously the words of a recent
graduate of our seminary who is currently living in Pakistan. "The
hijackers have unwittingly created a sympathetic climate for
partnership with moderate Islamic states to defuse radicalism."
Diplomacy, trust and friendship, rather than militancy, should be our
primary defense against future hatred and violence.
The recent attacks on this nation expose our vulnerability. As you
lead this nation in its campaigns of military retaliation and improved
security vigilance, we know that you recognize that these alone will
not make the United States truly secure; in fact they run the risk of
undermining the very values and freedoms that we cherish. We ask you to
give priority to a long-term strategy to build relationships of
mutuality and respect worldwide, to initiate reconciliation with those
who are our enemies, to work for a world in which resources and power
are shared more cooperatively, and to continue to put our confidence in
God.
May God grant you wisdom and strength for these difficult days.
Sincerely,
Henry J. Schmidt,
President
cc: Senator Barbara Boxer,
Senator Dianne Feinstein
Representative Calvin Dooley
Representative George Radanovich
Posted: September 18, 2001