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A group of Seaver college faculty has formed an advocacy group on campus aimed at opening community dialogue and prayer concerning possible war with Iraq.
“It’s not a matter that should be left in the office,” Dr. Stuart Love, professor of religion, said. “As a community of scholars we can come together for prayer and discussion over weighty issues like war in Iraq.”
About 14 faculty members met at the second gathering of the group Wednesday, this time focusing on the pros and cons of pacifism.
Assistant professor of mathematics Dr. Kevin Iga led the discussion, outlining the basic tenets of pacifism.
The idea of forming a discussion group began when political science professor Dr. Robert Williams spoke with Love about the lack of dialogue concerning possible war among faculty at Seaver College.
About 10 professors attended the first meeting Feb. 12, which focused on the definition of a “just war” from a Christian perspective.
Williams, who defined the overriding purpose of the gathering through the prepared speech he delivered, led the discussion.
“We all share a deep respect for the moral resources of Christianity and a conviction that our faith must be relevant to the moral crises we face, whether great or small, individual or communal, religious or secular,” Williams said. “We are also, I believe, joined in a common assumption that the present crisis powerfully compels us to fuse our identities as citizens, educators and people of faith.”
The next meeting will take place March 5, at a time and place that has yet to be determined.
“We think there is a significant amount of interest in this discussion,” Love said.
“These meetings might lead to a larger forum where students, staff and faculty are encouraged to participate,” he continued.
Submitted February 20, 2003
MALIBU, CA
