Dear President Bush:

My family and colleagues are horrified that you, a Christian man, are eager for war against Iraq just to remove Saddam Hussein from office. Although Saddam Hussein is a murderous dictator, war is not the way to remove him. Instead, he should be indicted for war crimes and crimes against humanity. As we read in Hebrews 14:12, "the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword..." Saddam Hussein must be deposed, but we must use all legal means other than war to accomplish this. Sending Americans to die in order to solve Iraq's problem is against everything we believe as Christians. The Iraqi people are prisoners of their dictator, but they are the ones who will die in a war.

In Exodus 14:14, Moses told the Children of Israel that "The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." Like the ancient Hebrews, we must have faith that God will bring Saddam Hussein to justice in the fullness of time. We must do our part by continuing to contain him. A war to unseat him could kill hundreds of American soldiers, and cannot be justified by any law of man or God. Instead, it would show the world that America is just as eager for war as Saddam Hussein is. How would the people of the world discern the difference between American justice and Saddam Hussein's tyranny, especially when there is so much opposition from our allies?

In Matthew 26, verses 51-52, the Bible tells us the story of Jesus' arrest. "...One of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." We are told elsewhere that the sword-bearer was Simon Peter. If Jesus would not allow Peter to shed blood in defense of his life, how can we justify attacking Saddam Hussein? He is a tyrant, but has never attacked America. Our true enemy is Al-Qaeda, and attacking Saddam Hussein would strengthen, not weaken, our real enemy.

The Apostle Paul assures us that God is the author of peace. "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." (1 Corinthians 14:33). "...Live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you." (2 Corinthians 13:11)

The Bible gives us many examples of Jesus' pacifism. "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." (Matthew 5:9) "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace." (John 16:33)

During the campaign, you said that Jesus was your favorite political philosopher. Now is your chance to prove it. Saddam Hussein must be removed, but by means other than war. War is not the answer. Never in history has America started a war, and we have only engaged in such conflicts in self-defense. If you become the first American President to discard American traditions and the values and wishes of Americans, you cannot call yourself a Christian.

Sincerely,

C. Colvin