Christian CND worker Russell has generously re-written our letter to religious leaders for a specifically Christian audience. Feel free to copy, edit and share this letter to promote the London Nuclear Ban Communities initiative in your locality!
Dear [NAME ]
You may be aware that earlier this year the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons entered into legal force. This means that nuclear weapons are now illegal under international law, just like chemical and biological weapons. More than 80 states have signed the Treaty and every continent is represented among those that have ratified. Last year 130 voted in support of it at the United Nations.l
Around the world Christians have been leading the efforts to bring the Treaty into law. The Holy See was one of the first states to sign and ratify the Treaty in 2017 and the church has been an active voice for disarmament around the world, including across the Pacific and throughout Africa. At home leaders in every major denomination have spoken out in favour of the ban and called on the UK government to engage with the process.
Despite this broad international support, the UK government not only opposes the Ban Treaty but is planning to increase our nuclear stockpile by more than 40%. As part of local efforts being made around the country, [I / We] write to seek your support for the London Nuclear Ban Communities initiative, which aims to lead the city of London to join the growing ranks of cities pledging their support for a global ban on nuclear weapons internationally. Those who have already done so include Manchester, Edinburgh, Paris, Geneva, Helsinki and Washington DC
Nuclear weapons are capable of murdering millions of innocent people by the press of a button. Were there ever to be a nuclear war our world would be changed beyond comprehension forever. People of all faiths across the world have hope for a better world where we can be rid of this threat.
You will find enclosed the London Nuclear Ban Communities Pledge, which you can also sign directly on our website: https://www.londoncnd.org/sign-the-pledge. You can either sign in a personal capacity or on behalf of your church.
[I /We] would be pleased to discuss this initiative and the Treaty further with you. Please get in touch at info@londoncnd.org.
Yours in peace,
...
Links
- For Christian leaders, link Christian CND’s page on the Biblical case against nuclear weapons https://christiancnd.org.uk/the-biblical-case-against-nuclear-weapons/
- For leaders of other faiths, link Religions for Peace (https://www.rfp.org/)