Stringer Stringer/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images
US-Israeli-Iranian conflict - Lebanon
Qlayaat, Lebanon, March 11, 2026: Christians from the southern Lebanese village of Qlayaa gather around the coffin of Maronite Catholic priest Father Pierre al-Rahi, killed by Israeli artillery fire on March 9. Al-Rahi had remained in his village to support his parishioners despite evacuation warnings. Pope Leo XIV expressed deep sorrow, specifically naming al-Rahi among the victims of bombings in the Middle East initiated by the United States and Israel against Iran that has led to retaliation in other Middle East countries. (Photo by: Stringer/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)
To the Editor:
These are perilous times. Why have we even gotten into this war with Iran? Was this just a whim of the President that he was tired of negotiating with Iran? You remember, he tore up Obama's plan—I read all 163 pages – it wasn't perfect but it did stabilize Iran's nuclear growth and allowed for checks and reviews. What's going on with our administration? I thought Bush Senior was wrong, though he negotiated with 15-19 other countries to support us. Right or wrong, history will tell us, but he got in and out quickly. George W. Bush's war will long be remembered for those mysterious Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) that never could be found, and Colin Powell steered us wrong too!
While I think Iran was and is a terrorist country and a threat, this is not a just war. Nor is some of the theological rhetoric by some in the military that this is God's war to bring on the end times.
Sometimes we do need to fight the aggressive enemy or enemies because of their threats such as WW I or certainly WW II. Today's war with Iran is unjust, and premature entrance into war to attack the enemy without counting the subsequent costs not only in lives but regionally and internationally.
I am writing to ask you to take immediate action to end the war on Iran, including by opposing the Iran war military supplemental funding bill requesting billions more to fund this illegal war.
As a United Methodist, my faith is grounded in our Social Principles which state, "We reject the use of war as an instrument of foreign policy and insist that every peaceful and diplomatic means of resolution be exhausted before the start of armed conflicts." People of faith are called to embrace a theology of peace and abundance that prioritizes the needs of communities over weapons and war. This illegal and reckless war on Iran has already killed more than 1,200 civilians and at least 7 U.S. service members, and not one more dollar of U.S. tax dollars should go to waging wars abroad.
Take a stand to resist any further extension of this war. This current war could become a similar one to Iraq or Afghanistan, don't let that happen. You do owe a solid moral decision to your state and country. Stop it before it metastasizes into an uncontrollable war. Do it now.
I pray that you will follow the word of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, and take action to end this war immediately and oppose further military funding in the supplemental bill, the appropriations process, and any other legislative vehicle. With Pentagon spending already over $1 trillion for this current fiscal year, Congress must prioritize healthcare and food assistance over weapons and war. Thank you for your time and attention.
Eugene Buccelli, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Editor's note: The General Board of Church and Society has issued an Action Alert urging United Methodists to contact their congressional representatives to stop the U.S. war against Iran.