On November 8, 2002, the Riverside Church of New York City, known for its prestigious events, was home to yet another anti-war protest. Subsequent to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1967 objections to the Vietnam War, Rev. Walter Fauntroy, Imam Mahdi Bay, Venerable T. Kenjitsu Nakagaki, and Rev. Kathryn Johnson, were a few of the dozen names found on the program of the Interfaith Service of Prayers for Peace, along side Al Sharpton. The faiths represented by the speakers of the evening, ranged from Baptist to Sikh. The diversity expressed in this gathering of religious leaders was an example of how irrelevant our differences become in the face of danger.

Diversity was found not only on the pulpit but also in the minds of the members of the congregation. When speaking to random participants of the event, I found several opposing opinions regarding the outcome and effect of this union. “The outcome (seems) preordained,” said Maurice Garries, a member of the congregation, his expression seemingly sympathetic. A seat away sat a conflicting viewpoint. “Prayer makes a difference. Prayer changes things. And the fact that (this service) is taking place at this church, makes a difference”, says Bill Foster, age 53. When asked about the most probable outcome this gathering would have on society, he replied “Nothing is too big for God”, opposing Pamela Payne, 42, who stated “I think we are going to go to war,” suggesting “(more) African Americans become mobilized and get involved in what goes on.” Henry Woodson, President of the National Action Network, stated “We as a people of color, we’re stepping over our immediate enemy to go and fight somebody else that we’re not even sure is our enemy.”

Restating this issue, Rev. John Mendez, President of the National Progressive Baptist Convention, and Rev. Al Sharpton mentioned the “little wars” going on in America. Issues ranging from racism, education, the overwhelming increase in our homeless population, to the corruption in our government, were raised. “We are still an imperialists nation,” said Rev. Mendez, receiving in a standing ovation. Preceding this issue, were emotions and beliefs reintroducing the words “We are the terrorists.” Rev. Mendez goes on to say,” This is a time for us as a community to redefine religion,” calling attention to the common call for peace.

A segment of the ceremony was dedicated to Dr. King’s speech on April 4, 1967 opposing the war in Vietnam. Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr., Senior Minister of The Riverside Church, added a portion of King’s speech to the focus of the evening, bringing light to the shadow of our past and its presence. “We may be looking at history in the making,” shared Rev. Forbes. A section of the Dr. King’s speech addressed the immoral acts of war and its effects on mankind:

…This I believe to the be the privilege and the burden of all of us who deem ourselves bound by allegiances and loyalties which are broader and deeper than nationalism and which go beyond our nation’s self-defined goals and positions. We are called to speak for the weak, for the voiceless, for victims of our nation and for those it calls enemy, for no document for human hands can make these humans any less our brothers.

At the close of the service, each participant stood, hand in hand, singing We Shall Overcome. Acknowledging and honoring Dr. King, along with the intentions of the evening there were still uncertainties “I don’t think there’s going to be that much change,” said Maurice Garries, phrasing the doubts and questions proceeding and following the service. Rationalizing this belief, Henry Woodson states simply,” When you’re focused on tearing something down, you can’t be focused on building something up”. By the end, history was made, and relived.