Diplomacy or war? Iraq is suspected of manufacturing nuclear weapons and supporting terrorism. As America braces itself for a possible war to remove Iraqi President Sadaam Hussein, area religious leaders and members vary in their attitudes about our country's options. While some feel war is a foolish, inhumane act that shouldn't even be considered, others think that though a last resort, war is inevitable when national security is at risk.

"I do not support any war. It is obvious that engaging in any war is a travesty and subhuman. War is a silly exercise that will cost us," said the Rev. Georg Retzlaff, rector at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer on Russell Street.

Retzlaff said not only will war be eminently destructive to the American economy, it is also in direct conflict with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

"War is an exercise against humanity. There are no war crimes; war is the crime. If the God of Jesus means anything to us, now is the time to let him guide us to a lasting peace that is not bought at the expense of countless dead and the ruin of our prosperity," Retzlaff said.

Bishop Melvin Talbert, the chief ecumenical officer of the United Methodist Church, has gone as far as appearing in a 30-second anti-war commercial. It is aimed at persuading the nation's policymakers that a U.S. attack on the country of Iraq would violate the laws of God.

The Methodist Church's Book of Discipline teaches that "war is incompatible with the teachings of Christ," explains the Rev. Ernest C. Etheridge, pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church on Boulevard Street.

"I am against war, and I think that everyone in this country, including national leaders, need to do all they can to seek peace. In this particular situation, there are several opportunities for a peaceful resolution. I think a rush to war, whether a nuclear war or an arms war, is premature," Etheridge said.

"The bottom line is about power and control that exists over the oil make-up that's there in that small country. Human lives should not be compared to any amount of oil. I have a son and nieces and nephews who fall in the category of being shipped to these countries," said Etheridge, who had two nephews and a niece serve in the Gulf War in 1991.

He said one of his nephews is still feeling the effects of war. He didn't want anyone else's children to go through that experience.

"War doesn't bring anything but death and destruction. The United Nations is not even in total support of this war. That should be a clear sign there," Etheridge said.

Helen Teskey, a charter member of Temple Sinai on Ellis Avenue, said while she can't speak for all Jews, she is against the notion of war.

"I don't think it's appropriate. We shouldn't be sending those young men over there because we really shouldn't be fighting in any war. I don't think it's going to help the U.S. because there are a lot of problems in the Middle East," including those between Israel and Palestine, Teskey said.

She said France and Germany have already expressed their opposition to war, and that uneven U.N. support is not conducive to waging a war that has been characterized as a possible World War III.

"I just don't want to see anyone go over there because I had four brothers in World War II," she said.

A Muslim resident of Orangeburg said she thinks the nation should seek peace and think about the already afflicted Iraqi people. This woman spoke anonymously because of hostility she and her family have faced in the past.

She recalled 1973, when Israeli bombs fell within blocks of her parents' home and killed two of her friends. "I was in high school and I'm still not over that. War is war, I don't care how careful we are. People are going to get sick and people are going to get blown up," she said.

Hussein is unlikable, she said, but war is unnecessary because he will face eventual death just like everyone else.

"The problem with war is the Iraqi people. They're suffering enough under him. War is ugly no matter how sanitized. It's usually the people that wind up paying for it and it's not fair to them. They're not over the first one yet. I really think we need diplomacy in order to settle this," she said, stressing that the nation needs to pray for God to bring peace.

The Rev. Isaiah Phinisee, pastor of St. Luke Presbyterian Church on Mingo Street, said while he is opposed to war, it is especially wrong when entered for the wrong reasons.

"If it is the last resort for personal security, then I can see. I know sometimes war can't be avoided, but from a sane, humane point of view, we need to be patient and think things out first, considering where the damage will occur and who it will affect the most," Phinisee said.

"You can win the war and still lose the battle in terms of humanity. The scripture tells us that, 'Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God,' so our duty is to seek peace whenever we can. When it comes to war, we really have many thousands of men and women that will suffer the consequences," Phinisee said. Wars tend to lead to more wars in the long run, and the world may not be able to recover from a nuclear war, he said.

While other religious leaders are not staunch advocates of war, they feel it may be inevitable despite efforts for peace.

"That's a tough call. Do our people really trust in our government to decide things for us? They're doing intelligence operations, things that most of us are not aware of. A coin has two sides and you can't really count off one way or the other. Both sides of the coin have value," said the Rev. Michael J. Polewczak, pastor of Holy Trinity Catholic Church on Riverbank Drive.

"It's a tough call to make, and we do have to place trust in people in authority. I'm sure that they want to see us go to war and, if it's possible, I'm sure we're going to. War is obviously something that we're not looking forward to, but it's probably inevitable if we don't see any further compromise with the people over there," he said.

The Rev. Terry Peele, pastor of First Baptist Church in Orangeburg, said, "I do support the action that's been taken at this point. War is always a last resort and, unfortunately, one we're often forced to resort to. Our nation just needs to rally in prayer for our soldiers and their families and for the combatants and noncombatants on both sides."

Hussein has funded terrorism, defied the United States and continues to produce weapons of mass destruction, all viable threats to the nation's security, said Rev. Thomas Brookshire, whose father is a retired U.S. Army brigadier general. Brookshire is pastor of Orangeburg Baptist Tabernacle on North Road.

"I believe that the responsibility of government first and foremost... is to protect the lives of its citizens from dangers within and without. While I understand war is a terrible thing, and I know war is a result of sin... there is a time when diplomacy does fail," Brookshire said.

"I believe that if there is a real threat, then we have no other choice. If war is the only path that we can go, then that's the path we must go. I am not a warmonger. My confidence is in the Lord, and if there is a way to prevent it, we should," he said, adding that the military soldiers need our support and prayers in this trying time when the nation "really needs to turn back to God."

The Rev. Dwayne Strickland, pastor of Columbia Road Church of God, supports President Bush in his efforts to protect the nation from what may be a security threat. While he is also "not a warmonger," he feels that Hussein has done everything he can to thwart the efforts of the United States.

"I think it's a sad situation and it's awful anytime you have to go to war. It seems that this is something that we can't help. Hussein has not allowed the inspectors the kind of access that they should have. Apparently the United States has gotten evidence that he's moving things around," Strickland said.

"It's an awful thing ... but sometimes you have to do what you have to do. I fully support what President Bush has to do. He's trying to prevent something like that from spilling over into America. The thing that we have to do is pray for those that have to go into it. It's turmoil everywhere," he said.

T&D Staff Writer Dionne Gleaton can be reached by e-mail at dgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or by calling 533-5534.

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