In the question of a Fatwa against building a nuclear weapons and the influence of Muslim leaders in Iran, there is an interesting discussion on a YouTube video with historian and International Relations expert John Mearsheimer.  (along with experts Mahsa Rouhi, Onur Isci, Tytti Erästö, and Eliza Gheorghe).

Search Youtube:   “Will Iran Get the Bomb?  with John Mearsheimer”

Whether or not the Fatwa will remain in effect is discussed at several places on the video –

0:33:43 (33 minutes and 43 seconds from the beginning

1:09:50

1:10:10

The “domino effect” is also mentioned.  (Is that analogy accurate?)

1:13:45

1:15:20

It is mentioned that Fatwas are often circumstantial and often change with the “interests of the community”.  But is that true?  And who decides the interests of the community? 

It is in this light that I share the “Invitation to DINNER” paper.   It may be true that the chance of nuclear war is small, but once the line is crossed, then the chance of nuclear war getting out of control is very great.  That is the logic of nuclear warfare.  God’s creation as we know it will come to an end.  

If our leaders take us to a place of destruction, we may not have to change leaders but we must show them other pathways and give enough good feedback to help us all to make a change.  All functioning systems use feedback, and it often comes from the outside. 

Except for a small group of “experts”, our leaders are afraid to talk about this issue, or they don’t know how.   Leaders need cover so that they can start to dismantle their own weapons.   The Invitation to DINNER is one way of providing cover for them.   

I invite you to share this with other religious leaders for further discussion, both inside and outside your own religion.

JOS

May 2022