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Presbyterian Attitudes on Peace, War, and Israel

[Material reported here could be viewed originally at the following links: link1, link2.]

The Presbyterian Church undertakes periodic, formal opinion surveys of members and clergy on a variety of topics. Attitudes toward war, peace, and the appropriateness of Church involvement in foreign policy were undertaken in 1995 and, again, in the spring of 2002.

Perhaps the most interesting finding is that Israel did not even appear in the summary of the 1995 survey -- although six other international hot spots did. We might assume that because Israel is the land of Jesus, or because of the Presbyterian role in nineteenth century missionary work in the Levant and the founding of the American University, Israel would be on any Presbyterian list of peacemaking concerns. Not so.

Between 1995 and 2004 some group within this church must have worked very hard to bring Israel from a position where it was not even a topic of interest, to a point where it dominated "peacemaking" at the General Assembly. In 2002 Israel appears in three different questions in the survey. Only three other nations are ever mentioned by name. Colombia and Egypt once each, Russia twice -- in questions relating to nuclear arms.

Interesting Tidbits

• Fully 10% of Presbyterian clergy are absolute or near-absolute pacifists, maintaining that war is always unjust. Even a war to defend our country following a foreign attack is considered unjust.
• Presbyterians, like most Americans, overwhelmingly support a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians.
• Presbyterians are split down the middle when asked if the United Sates should reduce its military support to Israel.

The May 2002 Survey

Peacemaking, International Conflict, and Related Issues

• More members strongly disagree or disagree (40%) than strongly agree or agree (31%) that war is a necessary evil in an unjust world. Pastors split the other way: 30% disagree; 49% agree.
• Most (82% or more) agree the church has a role in defending faith communities that are targets of hate crime.

Middle East

• Large majorities favor a "two-state solution" in the Middle East, with both a state of Israel and a state of Palestine. That view is held by 71% of members, 72% of elders, 82% of pastors, and 92% of specialized clergy.
• Large but slightly smaller majorities favor a proposal to have Israel withdraw from occupied Arab lands in exchange for Arab nations recognizing Israel's right to exist as a nation.

Foreign Military Aid

• Panelists split on whether the U.S. should lessen its military support to Israel, Egypt, and other Middle East governments. A few more members strongly agree or agree (33%) than strongly disagree or disagree (31%), but large numbers are not sure (18%) or neither agree nor disagree (19%). Pastors and specialized clergy tilt by larger margins toward agreement on this issue.

The November 1995 Survey

Peacemaking

• Cuba, Bosnia, Sudan, Guatemala, Northern Ireland, and Rwanda are mentioned. Israel is not mentioned.

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