Discussion points for consideration of Trident and its replacement

Ecological issues

The ecological effect of using nuclear weapons would be devastating.  We recently remembered the 60th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima, with appalling pictures and stories of human suffering which still continue. Trident, Britain's present nuclear weapon system has four nuclear submarines each with up to sixteen US Trident II D5 missiles.  There are up to three nuclear warheads on each missile.  Thus each submarine carries up to 48 missiles. Each of the 48 warheads, which can be aimed at different targets, has the power to cause 8 times the effect of the Hiroshima bomb.

The Churches' responsibility to underprivileged people

We have a duty to speak up for underprivileged and poor people in every country, and to ensure that their needs are not forgotten in our national and international thinking and discussion.  The experience of Christian Aid, CAFOD and SCIAF, as well as our denominational partnership and development work, shows that people in the developing world have much to contribute to international thought and they value the opportunity to speak up in international forums such as the United Nations.

The Churches' advice to people in power

All ethical questions are in essence concerned with the value of life, and the right use of power in all its forms.  Part of the churches' prophetic task is to formulate and ask the questions that enable everyone to consider the ethical issues that face our worldwide community. "Everyone" includes those who hold power, who are accountable to us whom they govern.

We in the churches can advise those in power, recalling the deeper values that underlie ethical thinking.

"Did not your father the king do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Is not this to know me?" says the Lord. (Jer. 22.15,16)

The possession of the terrifying and annihilating power of nuclear weapons can have a deeply corrupting effect. The power of ending the world, as we know it may feel like the power to bring Armageddon. Wouldn't it be wonderfully tempting to put an end to all the difficult international questions and the painstaking work of building peace?  But this is  "to make a wilderness and call it peace". It is also to take the power of God. We know that the Divine Spirit usually works more subtly, transforming the world through people, using our human creativity to build a real peace, "shalom," rather than by annihilating us.

Those who govern us have this terrifying power, but only for a time, and like every other human being they need prayer and questioning.

Economics

The replacement of Trident is likely to cost £20 billion. Can we afford it? Jesus commends this question - Luke 14.28-32.  Are there not better ways to use our money?  Ways that will create real peace and wholeness for all?

A few weeks ago we all rejoiced in the rededication of the Frauenkirche in Dresden, destroyed in the Second World War and rebuilt at enormous cost.  If there is anything at all to rebuild after just one Trident warhead is used, this reconstruction too will cost billions.

Money and political muscle

By taking part in the Drop the Debt campaign, and the current Trade Justice campaign, congregations in all our churches show that they understand deep underlying issues of world economic security and peace, and are prepared to lobby and demonstrate. We all understand better the economic power in our household spending and in our shopping basket, and we think about the ethical, environmental and political results of our buying in a world market.  Choosing to spend our country's money on Trident is a similar though bigger question, which people in every congregation can consider.

Jesus' words

"Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you".

"If my kingdom was of this world, then my servants would fight"

Interfaith aspects

Who is the enemy against whom we plan to use Trident?  We are committed to interfaith exploration, friendship and cooperation, and we share the aim of a peaceful world, yet those whom we are threatening with nuclear weapons are our friends and partners of other faiths.   

The War against Terror

Trident, a military weapon of terror, is not effective against the passion, anger and rage in the minds and hearts of terrorists, nor against the vision and the ideals, which inspire them.  Many military experts and practical soldiers are concerned that Trident will not help their work.

Jeremiah reminds us: "You have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying "Peace, peace" where there is no peace."  (Jer 8.11)   Peace begins in people's hearts, so it is in people's hearts that we must build it, with justice and with real deep healing.

Trident is not a very practical deterrent. To guard my house against burglars, I put a good lock on the door rather than spend thousands putting a booby-trap under the doormat, which will blow the burglar, me and the house to pieces together.

Integrity

To be full of truth, our Christian thinking, words and lives must have a wholeness and integrity, so that we try to live justly and ethically as a nation as well as in our individual lives, to carry our ecological commitment into our international thinking, to integrate our interfaith exploration with our politics.

Above all we can celebrate our practical faith in God, because of what we know of God's way of working. In our individual stories, and in the history of our churches, we know how God brings wholeness and peace.  So often, when we look at international political issues, we become practical atheists and forget our faith.  Don't forget, God loves the world! 

Beth Allen
15 November 20005