The letter, convened by a national coalition named Churches for Middle East Peace, stated, "We oppose on moral grounds the United States taking further military action against Iraq now." Citing the probable humanitarian consequences, civilian casualties, and the chaotic political aftermath of such a war, the church leaders noted that U.S. military force could easily destabilize the region with possible catastrophic results and further increase anti-American sentiment in the Middle East and Gulf.

The Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches, a joint ministry of 36 Protestant and Orthodox churches, stated, "We do not need to march down the path to Armageddon. Pre-emptive military action now being contemplated by the Administration cannot be morally justified." Edgar, a former six-term Member of the U.S. Congress, said, "Among other consequences, consider that a pre-emptive strike by the U.S. presents to the world a model of aggression that may encourage other nations to attack neighboring countries that threaten them."

Releasing their letter after President Bush’s statement to the United Nations General Assembly, the church leaders insisted that the President work through the U.N. toward peace, not toward war. Father Stan DeBoe, chair of Churches for Middle East Peace, commented, "Consulting with the U.N. while insisting that the U.N. precisely implement our own policy is not what international cooperation is about. It is not a matter of ‘you go along with us or else we’ll do what we want,’ but rather how does the U.S. work with and through the U.N. to implement the consensus of the international community."

DeBoe continued, "We are urging the President to uphold the values of our great country by working closely with the community of nations, not by rattling sabers nor by threatening to overthrow governments with force."

The letter is signed by 48 U.S. Christian leaders, including the heads of many Catholic religious orders, leaders of The Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), National Baptist Convention, Mennonite Church USA, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Syrian Orthodox Church, Reformed Church in America, Disciples of Christ / Christian Church, United Church of Christ, Unitarian Universalist Association, United Methodist Church representatives, some evangelical Christian leaders, and others.