As we mournfully commemorate the 81st anniversaries of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, join us in calling on the administration to renew our national commitment to nuclear restraint and take desperately needed steps to global peace. 

Earlier this year, a historic treaty that has helped hold the world’s two strongest nuclear powers accountable expired without any plans for renewal.  In 2010, the U.S. and Russia signed the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), replacing the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) signed in 1991. START was a treaty designed to keep the two strongest nuclear powers of the world in check, preventing the fear of nuclear war that plagued the world during the Cold War. 

Today, for the first time since 1991, we do not have a standing treaty on nuclear restraint with Russia. This series of treaties has been responsible for keeping our two countries accountable to prevent nuclear war such as; capping deployed strategic nuclear warheads and bombs, a protocol with definitions, agreed upon verification procedures, etc.

In an ever-unstable global community, the last thing we need is a lack of accountability when it comes to nuclear weapons.

Throughout our history, the United Church of Christ has been vocal in our opposition to the development, possession, testing, and use of nuclear weapons. As early as 1979, the UCC passed a General Synod resolution calling for the reversal of the “arms race” and in 1985, we issued a groundbreaking Just Peace Pronouncement that articulated a theological position on issues of war and peace based on the call to address systemic injustice.

As followers of Jesus, we are taught that the two greatest commandments were to love God with heart, soul, strength and mind and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Luke 10:27). It is clear that the use of nuclear weapons is the ultimate refusal to embrace and follow these foundational commandments and teachings of our faith. 

Now is the time to stand up, join with others in our nation and around the world. Tell Congress and the President we need to recommit to nuclear restraint today!