Logo

 

Banner Image:   National-News-banner-Purple
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet

Churches call for support on treaty banning nuclear weapons 

Churches release a video calling for people to act in support of the ground breaking UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and invite people to sign a “picture petition” asking the government to prepare to sign and ratify the Treaty at the first opportunity.


A two-minute video calling on Christians to safeguard God’s good world through working towards a future free of nuclear weapons has been released this week.

The video, which is being distributed digitally to thousands across the world is a joint call to action from five Christian denominations: the Baptist Union, the Methodist Church, the Quakers, the Church of Scotland, and the United Reformed Church. The video can be found at https://youtu.be/oYiCtLJ4WYk .


The video explains, in simple cartoons, the basis for the Churches’ support for the new UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and calls on people to join in this multinational movement towards a world free of nuclear weapons. The Treaty once ratified will make the use and threat of use of nuclear weapons illegal under international law.  

The Churches are inviting people to submit their names and images online to a picture petition that will be delivered to the UK government in February. The letter asks the government “to urgently develop and publish a transition plan so that the UK is ready to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons at the first opportunity.” It states that “the continued threat of use of nuclear weapons by a few governments is contrary to the genuine peace that Christians and others seek to build.”

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons opened for signature at the UN on 20 September 2017. It places nuclear weapons in the same legal category as biological and chemical weapons. It is hoped that this will be a significant step towards a nuclear weapons free world.

The call to action from Churches comes in the same week that ICAN (the International Campaign for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons) will be presented with the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition for their role in achieving the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Alongside the video, the Joint Public Issues Team has produced an Advent reflection for this week for churches and their members. It explores the story of one of Setsuko Thurlow, a survivor of Hiroshima who has worked with ICAN, as an example of what it means to prepare the way for Christ.  

Steve Hucklesby, speaking on behalf of the Churches, said, 'Even a limited nuclear conflict would have devastating humanitarian and environmental consequences killing innocent people. Relying on nuclear weapons for your security poses unacceptably high risks. It encourages proliferation and cannot form the basis of a just peace.

'This short video shows that there is another way. The UN treaty for the prohibition of nuclear weapons is the product of a new global movement. We hope that people will watch this video, share it with friends, and support a more equitable and safer future for all.' 

 

Baptist Times, 07/12/2017
    Post     Tweet
‘We can choose to tell a new story – one of gracious growth’
​General Secretary Lynn Green urged Baptists to embrace a story of hope and renewal rather than decline in her closing address at the Baptist Assembly
'God's Baptist people are in good heart' - Steve Finamore's reflections
Outgoing Baptists Together President Steve Finamore shared encouraging signs of church growth and renewed hope across Baptist networks
More than 60 ministers and pastors commissioned at Baptist Assembly
Ministers who have transferred to the fully accredited list, nationally recognised pastors and recognised local ministers were commissioned and prayed, in a session which also featured the In Memoriam
Mission Resolution introduced at Assembly
Designed to build a shared understanding of mission across Baptists Together, this marks the beginning of a two-year process of discernment, dialogue, and engagement, with the goal of the resolution being adopted at the 2027 Baptist Assembly
'We thank God for all the ways that he is graciously at work in and through us'
General Secretary Lynn Green celebrated the power of collaboration across Baptists Together in sharing three highlights from the past year
'Every fellowship is a disciple making environment'
A mission conference led by BMS World Mission formed the first 24 hours of the Baptist Assembly weekend
     Latest News 
    Posted: 21/05/2025
    Posted: 07/01/2025
    Posted: 07/01/2025
     
    Text Size:  
    Small (Default)
    Medium
    Large
    Contrast:  
    Normal
    High Contrast