Episcopalian signs op-ed warning against war in Iraq Episcopal News Service 2002-216-2 Posted: 9/18/2002 The Rev. George Regas, rector emeritus of All Saints Church in Pasadena, California, has signed an op-ed piece in the September 16 Los Angeles Times warning against the high costs of a possible war against Iraq. In the commentary, 'Men of God, Warriors for Peace, Enemies of War,' Regas joined Jewish, Muslim and Christian leaders who were founding members of the Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace. It was formed in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks to 'disavow the path that affirms that grief must lead to war.' The leaders said that their religious traditions 'must not bless war,' certainly not supporting what they termed the lie of a 'just war' against Iraq. They warned that the costs of such a war for the American and Iraqi people, and the 'tarnishing' of the U.S. reputation, would lead to 'an intensification of hatred in the Middle East toward the U.S. and the West.' They called religion's embrace of nationalism and sanctioning of war 'heresy.' Instead, they said that their religious traditions called on them 'to be peacemakers, to do good to those who hate us, to abide by the peace of God/the Ultimate.' Their religions 'all celebrate the sacredness of human life and charge us to build a just, peaceful and equitable world' and to 'celebrate the power of love to vanquish hate and the power of mercy to overcome vengeance.' The commentary concluded, 'We mourn the loss of life resulting from the attacks of September 11, but we do not ask that more blood be shed. Our mourning is a peaceful mourning and is not a podium to call for a war of vengeance against Iraqis.'       © 2004, The Episcopal Church, USA. Episcopal News Service content may be reprinted without permission as long as credit is given to ENS.