Protesting the War in Iran

 Once again, I find myself writing my senators and congressman. This is addressed to Katie Britt, and I will send a similar one to Tommy Tuberville and Gary Palmer.

I am making this a public letter and will put it on my blog and social media. 

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Dear Senator Britt,

I am writing to you as a constituent from Alabama in response to your recent statement regarding Iran, in which you said: “Iran is led by a murderous regime that not only murders innocent Americans, but is also holding innocent Americans in captivity.”

While I understand the seriousness of those accusations and the gravity of the Iranian regime’s behavior, I want to express my deep concern and disagreement with the current war. I believe this conflict is reckless and unnecessary, and I am troubled by the manner in which it has unfolded.

President Trump ran on a platform of “America First,” promising peace, strength, and an end to foreign wars. Many Americans supported him on that basis. Yet this military engagement appears to have been initiated without a clear and transparent explanation to the American people, without meaningful involvement from Congress, and while diplomatic negotiations were reportedly still underway and showing at least some positive movement regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

The Constitution vests in Congress the authority to declare war. When military action of this magnitude proceeds without robust congressional deliberation and authorization, it undermines both our constitutional framework and the trust of the American people. If we are to send our service members into harm’s way, the case must be clearly made, publicly debated, and lawfully authorized.

I urge you, as my Senator, to exercise your constitutional responsibility to demand accountability, insist on full transparency, and work with your colleagues to bring this conflict to a swift and responsible end. America can be strong without being perpetually at war. Strength includes wisdom, restraint, and a serious commitment to diplomacy wherever possible.

Please use your voice and your vote to press for de-escalation and to restore Congress’s rightful role in decisions of war and peace.

Thank you for your service to our state and for your attention to this urgent matter.

Sincerely,  

Rev. Dr. Steve West  

Irondale, Alabama 35210

Six Years Ago Today

 Six years ago today, the schismatic leadership among North Alabama Methodists released a signed, ten page rebuttal against my letter, “Why I Am Not Leaving the UMC.” My letter had gone viral as a rallying cry for what became known as “Stay UMC,” a phrase our North Alabama coalition soon coined.

In subsequent weeks, a number of them asked me to issue an apology, or write a retraction, or remove my letter from online publication. Naturally, I declined to do so. I believed every word I wrote.

I found myself articulating to a friend last night, for the first time, that the final exam for my college Sociology of Religion class at BSC was Stay UMC, 35 years later.

An article later written about Stay UMC and similar grass roots movements may be found HERE.

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Taking an Active Stance in Society

 In the past few months, I have spoken out against the dangerous mentality of “Christian nationalism,” violence toward immigrants and the lawlessness of ICE, racism in political rhetoric, the dangers of disregarding NATO and international law, aggression against Venezuela, and the like.

I do not do this because these are partisan issues. They actually aren’t … no party has been, well, “party” to these things in the past.

I do it because these are gospel issues. They are a matter of life and death. They are about following the Way of Jesus. They are not just about opinions or budget numbers.

I also do it because I am Methodist.

Here’s an excerpt from the Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church in 2026:

“Taking an active stance in society is nothing new for followers of John Wesley. He set the example for us to combine personal and social piety. Ever since predecessor churches to United Methodism flourished in the United States, we have been known as a denomination involved with people’s lives, with political and social struggles, having local to international mission implications. Such involvement is an expression of the personal change we experience in our baptism and conversion.

“The United Methodist Church believes God’s love for the world is an active and engaged love, a love seeking justice and liberty. We cannot just be observers. So we care enough about people’s lives to risk interpreting God’s love, to take a stand, to call each of us into a response, no matter how controversial or complex. The church helps us think and act out a faith perspective, not just responding to all the other ‘mind-makers-up’ that exist in our society.”

The Obly Thing More Powerful than Hate

 “The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love."

I watched the Bad Bunny halftime show and afterward read what the Spanish translated into. I sincerely think it was beautifully done, a testimony to the diversity of what it truly means to be American. 

I also believe the vitriol against it, plus the need for some kind of  “All American” alternative show, are prime examples of “white nationalism” unashamed.

Christians, diversity of all those made in the image of God is a core biblical value.