Source: National Council of Churches
On March 25, 2003 the National Council of Churches reported that "in a free society, all are responsible. That was among observations of four panelists - all religious leaders opposed to the war on Iraq - at a March 25 forum, 'From Winning the War to Winning the Peace: An Interfaith Dialogue on Resistance and Reconciliation...' More than 100 people filled the 'Great Choir' of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City for the forum, held in the early days of the war. 'This forum offers us a chance to reflect and share 'best traditions' from our respective faiths,' said the Rev. Chloe Breyer, Director of the Cathedral Forums on Religion and Public Life, moderator... Panelists offered reflections that spanned disciplines of the mystical, historical, political, theological, psychological and more... Sheikh Tosun Bayrak of the Jerrahi Order of America, a Muslim... called on a colleague to recite from the Koran, a recitation that echoed through the vast Cathedral nave. Then he translated and explored the beauty of the human being - body, mind, soul and will. 'The soul ... manifests itself through speech, which can be as sweet as honey and destructive as the atom bomb..." he said to his audience’s delight.