 1st Lt. Ehren Watada refused to go to Iraq |
A U.S. Army officer’s refusal to fight in Iraq has prompted a Methodist Church in Tacoma, Wash., to declare itself a sanctuary for military personnel who also reject deployment orders.
The administrative council for the First United Methodist Church of Tacoma voted to open its doors, beginning today, after 1st Lt. Ehren Watada declared he wouldn’t go to Iraq because he believes the war is illegal, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported.
The 300-member congregation said in a statement Wednesday that servicemen and women “who are unable to deploy to combat areas for reasons of conscience” can find protection behind its doors.
Rev. Monty Smith said the church stands in solidarity with those who share its social-justice convictions.
“Our initiative was because of Lieutenant Watada’s gesture and a clear sense that we have, as a reconciling congregation, deeply involved in justice issues throughout the city, that any war, particularly this one, is inconsistent with Christian teachings,” he told the Seattle paper.
No applications for sanctuary have been submitted yet, said Smith, who points out the church is taking precautions to ensure anyone it takes in has legal and religious justification.
Watada, who has said he would serve in Afghanistan but not in Iraq, continues to train as an artillery-targeting officer but is under investigation, the paper said.
Watada has received support from the Church Council of Greater Seattle, which issued a statement saying it “appreciates the difficulty for Lt. Watada in making such an important decision, given his military service, and the potential consequences that he likely will face, including a court-martial. Our support and prayers go to Lt. Watada at this time. We continue to pray and call for an expedited end to the war in Iraq and for the preservation of all lives in the areas of conflict.”
Nearby Olympia, the state capital, was the scene two weeks ago of demonstrations against the movement of military vehicles from Fort Lewis to Iraq via the city’s port, resulting in civil disobedience and arrests.
