What would happen if Christians devoted the same discipline and self-sacrifice to nonviolent peacemaking that armies devote to war?

IRAQ: Christian Peacemaker Teams report challenges U.S. reading of Iraq situation

September 2nd, 2010
in:

Suleimaniya, Iraq—The future of Iraq is more complex and uncertain than the current U.S. narrative claims, according to a report just published by Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) in Iraq (download here in pdf format.)

The report quotes Iraqis who express doubt on the effects of the U.S. military “surge,” the trustworthiness of the Iraqi military, and the reliability of Iraqi public figures and institutions.

“Iraqis in this report challenge the simplistic success story that the U.S. is telling about Iraq,” says CPTer Marius van Hoogstraten.

The report, entitled “Iraq after the Occupation – Iraqis speak about the state of their country as the U.S. military withdraws,” is based on extensive interviews with Iraqi citizens in various parts of the country.  It recommends that the U.S. “think creatively” about ways to support Iraqi society before the U.S. military withdraws entirely at the end of 2011.

Upcoming CPT Events

Title Start: End:
Aboriginal Justice delegation to Treaty #3 Territory (NW Ontario) Fri, 09/24/2010 Wed, 10/06/2010
Colombia Delegation (APPLY TODAY!!!) Wed, 10/13/2010 Tue, 10/26/2010
Iraq delegation - Kurdish North Thu, 10/14/2010 Wed, 10/27/2010
Applications Due for Winter Peacemaker Corps Training Fri, 10/15/2010 Fri, 10/15/2010
Palestine / Israel Delegation Tue, 11/16/2010 Mon, 11/29/2010
more

Video Introduction to Christian Peacemaker Teams

 

 

If you're interested in a DVD of the video, email sophiac [at] cpt [dot] org and make a donation of whatever amount you choose to help cover the costs.

About CPT

Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) is a living answer to the question, "what would happen if Christians devoted the same discipline and self-sacrifice to nonviolent peacemaking that armies devote to war?"  It is an evolving challenge.

Partnering with nonviolent movements around the world, CPT seeks to embody an inclusive, ecumenical and diverse community of God's love.  We believe we can transform war and occupation, our own lives, and the wider Christian world through:

  • the nonviolent power of God's truth
  • partnership with local peacemakers
  • bold action

CPT places teams at the invitation of local peacemaking communities that are confronting situations of lethal conflict.  These teams seek to follow God's Spirit as it works through local peacemakers who risk injury and death by waging nonviolent direct action to confront systems of violence and oppression. 

CPT understands violence to be rooted in systemic structures of oppression. We are committed to undoing oppressions, starting within our own lives and in the practices of our organization.