Local church officials express concerns over war

Tuesday, March 18, 2003 | 11:20 a.m.

On the eve of war with Iraq, some religious leaders in the Las Vegas Valley are praying for Iraqis and oppose the invasion while others are either cheering on the president or supporting him because they believe they should.

Ace Robison, spokesman for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Southern Nevada region, said that his church has a policy that fits the moment.

"We as a church have always admonished our people to be supportive of the laws of the land in which they reside," he said. "We certainly don't take war lightly, but if that's what we're faced with, we support the government."

As for the estimated 84,000 members of the church who live in the Las Vegas Valley, he said he hadn't heard them expressing any concerns about the possibility of war.

"I'm sure they worry and pray for the safety of the soldiers and for their president," he said.

As for the Iraqi people, he said, "Our people have always prayed for peace and for the softening of hearts."

Rabbi Felipe Goodman of Temple Beth Sholom said, "I think the president is absolutely doing the right thing."

Goodman recently returned from a church trip to France where he said he experienced much anti-U.S. sentiment. The Mexican-born Goodman, who has one more year to go before he can become a U.S. citizen, said he believes the United States is justified in its actions.

"France is open about its economic ties to Iraq. It is Iraq's No. 1 buyer of oil," Goodman said. "But I'm proud to live in a country where the president puts the safety of our people above economic needs."

Goodman said if Hussein attacks Israel with scud missiles, as he did during the Persian Gulf War, he believes Israel will react much differently.

"Saddam Hussein is a very dangerous man who demonstrates why the Hitlers and Stalins of the world needed to be removed from power," Goodman said. "If he has the audacity to attack Israel, I believe Israel will respond firmly.

"Israel has been one of the United States' greatest allies and has every right to defend itself."

As for his congregation, Goodman said there is great diversity, and a number of his followers oppose the war. But he says he still believes that it is in the best interest of the world that a preemptive strike be made.

"If Saddam Hussein's weapons could reach the United States, he would use them without hesitation," Goodman said.

The Rev. Marion Bennett of the Zion Methodist Church in North Las Vegas tried to avoid Monday night's news about the pending war.

"I didn't want to see that," he said.

"I'm so sad. ... My heart goes out to the American soldiers, and to all those innocent people in Iraq who are going to die."

Bennett, whose congregation of about 500 is largely black, said he has heard only one of his followers back the war.

"Poor people who have been struggling have a lot of compassion," he said. "They don't want this war."

He also said that members of his congregation are worried by the president's plans.

He had just received a call late Monday afternoon from a woman seeking advice about whether to get on a plane to New Orleans for a family funeral.

"She was gripped by the fear that war might break out while she was at the funeral," Bennett said. "I told her that it's out of our hands, to trust God ... and try to get the inner strength to deal with it. It's not what happens to you but how you respond to it."

Bennett, who has been a leader in the black community for decades, including stints as president of the local NAACP chapter, said he sided with the pope, who sent an emissary to the White House to express concern about invading Iraq.

"What god appointed (the president) to be the policeman for the whole world and inflict harm on all those people?" he asked.

Attempts to reach several officials with the Catholic faith were not successful.

Catholic Las Vegas Diocese Bishop Joseph Pepe, Vicar General The Rev. Bob Stoeckig and Church Communications Director The Rev. Bede Wevita were all out of town and could not be immediately reached, a church secretary said.