We believe that the establishment of peace throughout the world is both the will of God and a practical possibility.
Violence is an unacceptable response to conflict at any level.
Reliance on violence and threats of violence has resulted in a culture of militarism with an immense stockpile of weapons and armed forces threatening mass destruction, ecological disasters, constant preparation for military conflict, and diversion of resources from productive purposes. True security is expressed through a culture of peace, a clean environment, a strong economic life, democratic participation, an educated population, personal safety, and healthy families. Peace and security must be achieved by peaceful means. Traditions, beliefs, and structures which are the precursors of war must be changed if we hope to prevent violence in the future. These precursors include economic deprivation, structural inequity, oppressive power, greed, prejudice, and war itself.