Church of God Resolutions on War and International Terrorism

9-11, THE WAR ON TERRORISM, & SUPPORT FOR THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER WORLD LEADERS

WHEREAS, on September 11, 2001, four hijacked planes — American Airlines Flight 11, United Airlines Flight 175, American Airlines Flight 77, and United Airlines Flight 93 — in a time span of only one hour and 25 minutes, crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, the West Section of the Pentagon, and a rural section of Somerset County, Pennsylvania, taking the lives of more than 3,000 individuals; and

WHEREAS this violent act of unprecedented terrorism took the lives of individuals from all walks of life, including many different nationalities and religions, and through death touched the hearts of people in more than 60 countries worldwide; and

WHEREAS the events of this one day have forever changed our lives by impacting our personal sense of security and well-being, by challenging us to recognize the ever-present dangers that surround us, and revealing to us the end-time realities that are set before us; and

WHEREAS the Church of God, with ministries reaching more than 160 nations around the world, has in point of fact strategically felt the impact of the horrors of this unimaginable act of terrorism; and

WHEREAS the Church of God has responded through various denominational ministries under the guidance of our General Overseer, and facilitated through the office of our Division of Care Ministries, to assist those who have been most affected by these tragic events; and

WHEREAS we, the Church of God, remain committed to a worldwide ministry of evangelization, benevolent care, and ministry outreach, even in the face of the current threat of global terrorism;

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that we, the Church of God, support President George W. Bush and the numerous world leaders who have joined with him in determined resolve to end the threat of terrorism throughout the world; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we pray for all victims of terrorism around the world and those who continue to feel the pain and peril resulting from intentional harm by others, and that we follow the Scriptural admonition to pray for the salvation of those who themselves are committed to be agents of terror; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that in this 69th General Assembly of the Church of God, we commit ourselves to be agents of positive change by our manner of life, through example, testimony, prayer, and appropriate spiritual demeanor, that we may be living witnesses of the testimony of Jesus Christ and His message of peace and hope to a lost and dying world.

INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM (1980)
WHEREAS acts of terrorism against innocent people are on the increase worldwide; and

WHEREAS the destruction of property and the taking of lives are against basic Christian principles; and

WHEREAS Scripture forbids the unlawful taking of human life and exacts heavy penalties to those who violate this commandment;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we, the General Assembly of the Church of God, reaffirm our historic commitment to the sacredness of human life; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we stand opposed to all acts of international terrorism (58th A., 1980, p. 50).