Prohibition of Arms Sales to Foreign Countries for Purposes of War

WHEREAS, the United States sells more armaments around the world than any other country ($18.6 billion in sales in 2000, of $36.9 billion worldwide—Frida Berrigan, World Policy Institute, August 21, 2001); and

WHEREAS, these arms are frequently used in conflicts which we do not support and have even been used against our own troops in combat; and

WHEREAS, prohibitions against the resale of such arms have proven to be unenforceable in the world market; and

WHEREAS, President Jimmy Carter has said, "We cannot have it both ways. We can't be both the world's leading champion of peace and the world's leading supplier of arms"; and

WHEREAS, the Social Principles of The United Methodist Church states that " . . . the manufacture, sale, and deployment of armaments must be reduced and controlled; and that the production, possession, or use of nuclear weapons be condemned;" (¶ 165 C of the Book of Discipline, 2000); and

WHEREAS, Jesus taught us that "blessed are the peacemakers," and valued all human life;

Now, therefore, be it resolved, that The United Methodist Church supports the strict prohibition of sales of arms for purposes of war to foreign countries.

ADOPTED 2004

See Social Principles, ¶ 165B and C.

From The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church — 2004. Copyright © 2004 by The United Methodist Publishing House. Used by permission.