Nuclear technology is so dangerous to human life that it has to be locked away in secrecy, for the sake of public health. But this also makes it an invisible problem — until, as the unfolding tragedy in Japan is showing, the technology escapes our control. This is why often the only people talking about nuclear weapons are those of us who do so for a living. (As I’ve written elsewhere, for me this work is also directly tied with coming to faith in Jesus Christ.)

I asked Nish Weiseth, a mom and Two Futures Project supporter who blogs at A Deeper Story, for her take on what motivates her concern about nuclear weapons. Her response is powerful stuff — check it out here.

And I hope you’ll weigh in, too — maybe especially if you’re a mom or dad out there whose primary daily concern is the minutiae of caring for kids. What’s your story? To crib from Dr. Strangelove, how’d you learn to start worrying and hate the bomb?

Add a comment at A Deeper Story, share this discussion on Facebook or Twitter, or — best of all — use your own blog platform to reflect and broaden this conversation to your friends, family, and network — and then send us the link.

Pax Christi,

Tyler

PS I wanted to include a nuclear-related image here that wasn’t a mushroom cloud, but using most of the results from a Google Image search for “Hiroshima” simply to illustrate a little blog entry felt like misery pornography. So, if you want to bear respectful witness to the suffering that these devices can cause, click here (warning: graphic images not suitable for everyone).

Tyler Wigg-Stevenson: Nuclear energy uses the release of heat from a controlled, ongoing nuclear reaction to boil water, turning turbines that generate electricity. Supporters of nuclear power like it because it doesn’t generate carbon emissions. Opponents point to other environmental factors, including the creation of spent fuel that is no longer good for generating power, but which remains hazardous to human health for hundreds of thousands of years. And as we’re seeing in Japan, nuclear technology has the capacity for failure leading to catastrophic results—and risk can never completely be eliminated.

At the Two Futures Project we focus on the risks of nuclear weapons, because the same agreements that restrict the spread of nuclear arms also guarantee nations the right to peaceful nuclear power. So we don’t take a general pro or con position on power. If it’s used, it should be as safe as possible. And because the technology used to produce nuclear fuel for power is the same as that used to produce bomb material, it’s critical that safeguards be in place so that power doesn’t become a back door to a weapons program.”

To read the entire interview check out the Plywood People blog.

Understandably, some have asked us to speak up about the Fukushima nuclear crisis and the issue of atomic energy. The Two Futures Project does not have a formal position for or against nuclear power, due to the fact that the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, which is the backbone of international law concerning nuclear weapons, provides for the existence of peaceful nuclear energy programs. Weapons and energy, though technically related, have to be separated politically.

Instead, we have consistently said that if nuclear power continues to be used—and especially if it is expanded—a new infrastructure must have built-in technological and diplomatic safeguards to ensure its safe and peaceful use. Fukushima is a stark reminder, however, that we can never eliminate risk altogether—and that the risks of nuclear technology can be unimaginably high.

Below are a number of resources that we think will be helpful in understanding what is going on in Fukushima—and, most importantly, how we can help alleviate the suffering there. In the meantime, please join us in continuing to pray for the people of Japan.

Yours in Christ,

Tyler

Learn more about the crisis in Japan and find ways to get involved:

If you’re wondering what exactly is happening inside the Fukushima reactor, the NYTimes has an interactive feature explaining “How a Reactor Shuts Down and What Happens in a Meltdown”

This is a really great (and constantly updated) list from GOOD Magazine of ways that you can support the on-going rescue and relief efforts in Japan.

BBC News explains why the situation at the Japanese nuclear plant has the potential to be extremely harmful to the health of the surrounding population, “Health Effects of Radiation”

Here’s a pretty comprehensive and accessible discussion about the crisis at Fukushima: “Nuclear Meltdown Explained, and Everything Else You Need to Know About the Situation at Fukushima.”

Be sure to check out the Union of Concerned Scientists’ blog, “All Things Nuclear,” for regular updates about the nuclear crisis in Japan.

The winning design will receive a $2000 commission, with $1000 paid upon the completion of design with From War to Peace, and the balance paid out of revenue from crosses sold.

Submission details:

• [EXTENDED] deadline for submissions is Friday, May 6.
• Submissions should be two-dimensional illustrations, showing multiple angles if necessary. The winning artist will be asked to work with the From War to Peace designers to prepare a final image suitable for rendering into a 3D sculpture.
• Designs may be one- or two-sided. If submitting a two-sided design, please know that a small Peace Bronze logo will need to be added to the back of the cross.
• Color is permitted but not required. See http://www.fromwartopeace.com/shop/pendants.html to view possible patinas and enamels.
• Submissions may be any size, but larger images should be accompanied by a rendering of the design in the actual size of the finished product. Maximum height and width is 1.6” x 1.6”.
• Highly detailed images may be unsuitable, as all areas of detail must be thick enough to allow the flow of molten bronze.
• Please include a short artist bio with each submission. A description of the submission is optional but not required.
• The winning design will become the property of the Two Futures Project and may be employed in formats beyond those outlined here.
• Submissions should be scanned and sent as email attachment to Adam Woods at adam[at]twofuturesproject[dog]org, with subject line “cross submission.” If electronic submission is impossible, please mail the design to the Two Futures Project, 3 McFerrin Ave., Nashville, TN 37206. Mailed submissions will not be returned.

This is one step in the right direction for nuclear security in our day—but it is a huge victory for American Christians, who overwhelmingly and vocally supported the treaty. And make no mistake: your work mattered. So, for standing with us and putting up with innumerable New START emails, Facebook updates, and tweets (oh, the tweets!):

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Now that the votes are cast, we can reflect on what it all means. So, in the spirit of Dickens (cue Marley’s chains) here’s my brief meditations on the ghosts of New START past, present, and future.

The past
The campaign to ratify New START revealed two things—one good, one bad. First, New START proved that the work and witness of the Two Futures Project is both vital and unique. Treaty advocates at the highest levels cited 2FP often as making a critical contribution to the groundswell of support for New START. I am proud of our team and our work: from the on-the-ground voter education efforts in Tennessee and other key states, to our convening an unprecedented pro-ratification press call with Leith Anderson, President of the National Association of Evangelicals, and Bishop Howard Hubbard of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Second, our national public debate about nuclear weapons is profoundly flawed. This conservative treaty, with the unanimous support of the military and the bipartisan security establishment, should have been a slam dunk. But despite this support, a tiny, ideologically driven fringe was able to marshal a substantial campaign against New START by simply and brazenly repeating blatant untruths in public, until they started to sound like facts. And all this over an agreement that still leaves us with thousands of strategic nuclear weapons, doing little to challenge obsolete, Cold War modes of thinking.

The present
New START has exposed the astounding lack of moral seriousness in our public debate about nuclear security. You simply don’t play politics with these weapons if you really apprehend the threat they pose—and from the abundant posturing, pontificating, and political quid pro quos surrounding New START, it became clear that many in government see nuclear security as just one more facet in the endless power game that has consumed Washington politics. Americans of goodwill, regardless of party, should be deeply concerned by this state of affairs.

Fortunately, 2FP closes this year as a mature movement that can help address this malaise. 2011 won’t have any of the big-ticket nuclear policy items of the past year, which gives us the freedom to double down on what we do best: spreading a Christ-centered, biblically grounded moral and cultural mandate to eliminate these weapons of indiscriminate death and destruction. Stay tuned in the new year for our roll-out of several exciting new programs.

The future
Our organization’s name describes the stark choice that we believe we face: a world without nuclear weapons, or a world devastated by them. But from an eternal perspective, of course, there is but one future, authored and anchored by the Triune God, and foretold in scripture’s glorious prophecy of creation restored in a new heavens and a new earth. This recognition does not make us apathetic to the present: the threat of human sinfulness manifesting in nuclear destruction is all too real, but not at all a given. We are stewards of history in our time. But this indispensable focus on the eternal aligns our work and our activism as an expression of fidelity to God Most High.

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth—the Lord, Messiah of Israel, Son of God, Word made Flesh, Prince of Peace, Emmanuel—it is therefore fitting to cast away anxiety about what will come. So attend to the breath that is in your lungs—for none of us is guaranteed another—and sing praise the Lord who died for our sins, and whose resurrection throws open the gates to eternal life for all the faithful of God.

O Holy Night, indeed:

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother,
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

From all of us at 2FP, wishing you and yours a season filled with grace and peace and love.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON—Representatives of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) called for the ratification of the New START Treaty in a December 7 media conference call hosted by the Two Futures Project, a movement of American Christians for nuclear threat reduction and the elimination of nuclear weapons.

“We believe that Christian theological resources can help elevate the moral seriousness of public discussion over New START,” said the Rev. Tyler Wigg-Stevenson, Director of the Two Futures Project. “Toward that end, the Two Futures Project is honored to convene this opportunity to hear from representatives from two of the preeminent Christian organizations in America.”

Both Bishop Howard J. Hubbard of Albany, chairman of the USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace, and the Rev. Dr. Leith Anderson, president of NAE, applied the moral teachings of their faith traditions to concerns related to the treaty, which was signed by President Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on April 8.

“Strong and timely ratification of the new treaty will communicate our nation’s moral commitment to continue down a road that reduces the nuclear threat,” Bishop Hubbard said. “It will encourage other nations to adhere to their responsibilities under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The new treaty will make our nation and world safer by reducing nuclear weapons in a verifiable way. For the safety of our nation and world, we urge the Senate to take up the New START Treaty without delay.”

Anderson said, “As I travel around the country, I see ‘Support Our Troops’ signs everywhere. Despite political conflicts on many issues, our nation’s security has always been a unifying issue that draws Americans together across party lines. I urge all Senators to set aside any partisan consideration and join their colleagues – both Republicans and Democrats – in swift action on the New START treaty.”

“Nuclear war is rejected in Church teaching because nuclear weapons cannot insure noncombatant immunity and their awesome destructive power and lingering radiation cannot be meaningfully proportionate,” said Bishop Hubbard. He cited the teachings of the Second Vatican Council and Pope Benedict XVI’s 2006 World Day of Peace message, in which the pope said, “In a nuclear war there would be no victors, only victims.”

Anderson said, “In the long and tragic history of human warfare the nuclear weapon occupies a singular position due to the scope and scale of its terrible and indiscriminate power to destroy human life. Evangelicals strongly believe in the sanctity of life.”

Anderson cited the history of NAE in speaking out on the dangers of nuclear weapons and supporting nuclear arms reduction. He cited the broad military support for the New START Treaty and urged bipartisan cooperation for its ratification.

“Ratification of the New START Treaty will give the U.S. new rights to inspect Russian nuclear weapons facilities, reducing our military’s need for costly ‘worst case’ contingency planning—a concern which grows with each passing month that the treaty is not ratified,” Anderson said. “The treaty will reduce by 30 percent the number of Russian nuclear warheads which threaten our nation, while honoring our commitments under the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.”

Bishop Hubbard noted, “Timely ratification of the New START Treaty is critical because verification ensures transparency and transparency builds trust. Trust is essential for reducing the threats of misunderstandings and accidents that could be catastrophic for human life if they led to a nuclear exchange. The earlier START Treaty verification and monitoring requirements expired one year ago. Without a new treaty there are no inspections or verification regimens in place, a disturbing and potentially dangerous situation our nation has not faced in decades.”

Bishop Hubbard cited the support of the former president of the USCCB, Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, as well as the bishops’ new president, Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, for ratification of the treaty. He also said the treaty has global importance.

# # # # #

NAE: http://www.nae.net/news-and-events/526-press-release-evangelicals-catholic-bishops-call-for-action-on-new-start

USCCB: http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-231.shtml

But earlier this week, Senator Jon Kyl stalled the vote. For reasons that remain strangely elusive and vague, a handful of senators are dragging their feet on a treaty that has the unanimous support of our military leadership, the judgment of our national security establishment, and strong public support. If this obstructionism wins out and our leaders don’t vote in the next 6 weeks, the treaty will return to committee next year, erasing the progress made in the last 7 months. As a result, New START may not be ratified.

The treaty is now at a make or break point, and there are serious consequences for inaction. Failing to ratify the treaty will undermine U.S. leadership on nonproliferation, leave us without “boots on the ground” inspectors for the Russian arsenal, jeopardize future arms control agreements, and hinder international cooperation on common threats, such as the containment of Iran’s nuclear program—not to mention the failure to reduce Cold War-sized nuclear arsenals by about one-third.

Nuclear weapons demand a level of seriousness that rises above partisanship. Christians should respond with an adequate level of moral gravity: if we don’t have the courage and responsibility to speak truth in this climate of fear, foolishness, and misinformation, who will?

Please, take five minutes and call your Senators and tell them you support the ratification of the New START treaty in 2010.

With strong bipartisan support, the time to ratify the New START treaty is now:

• The treaty makes us safer — it will reduce the number of deployed nuclear weapons in U.S. and Russian arsenals.
• The treaty allows U.S. inspectors to monitor Russian nukes. By the time the committee voted today, it’s been 285 days without on-site inspections of Russian nuclear weapons and facilities.
• The treaty has the overwhelming support of the military and national security experts of both parties, including current and former commanders of our nuclear weapons, Colin Powell, Henry Kissinger, and many others.
• The treaty is a symbol of peace and the common good, and has the support of religious groups from across the spectrum, including the World Evangelical Alliance, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the National Council of Churches.

Please take time today to call your Senators and let them know the New START treaty is out of committee with Republican and Democratic support, and they need to join this bipartisan consensus. It will take only five minutes — simply visit the Two Futures Project START Action Center, find the Office Number for your Senators, and ask them to publically call for a vote to ratify the New START treaty this year.

In today’s Huffington Post, I offer a Meditation on Hiroshima and the Transfiguration:

“It must be one of the extraordinary accidents of history that the first atomic bomb was dropped on August 6, which marks the annual Feast of the Transfiguration for Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Orthodox Christians around the world. […] Roughly nineteen centuries [after the Transfiguration event], and sixty-five years ago today, the city of Hiroshima was destroyed with elements that cannot but recall the Transfiguration: a sun-bright white light; a roar from heaven; a cloud; terror; and-most of all-a world that would never be the same…” [link]

To commemorate the 65th anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Time Magazine has never before seen photographs. The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki remain the source of deep controversy in America. Yet, as I wrote last year in Christianity Today, even those who would seek to legitimize the bombings within the context of World War II should not use them as barriers to disarmament in our day.

Yours,

Tyler

Elizabeth Lunblad of The Chautauquan Daily wrote a short piece on the lecture, “Way to End Nuclear Age is Through Moral Activism,” highlighting Tyler’s presentation and the intersection between morality, faith, and nuclear weapons:

Does morality make a difference to the question of nuclear weapons and security? The answer, he said, is a resounding, self-evident “yes.”

“No matter how hard we try, we can’t imagine an amoral security. We can imagine an immoral security, but not an amoral one. This is because security, properly understood, is the means to an end. It’s not an end unto itself,” he said.

Security seeks an end that is unavoidably moral because it is the work of preserving human society from an external threat, and all society has some form of moral architecture that it is internally accountable toward, Wigg-Stevenson said.

If you’d like to read the text of Tyler’s lecture, you can download the PDF here.