National budgets are moral documents. They are a testament to national priorities. (2016 Book of Resolutions, #6129). Alarming portions of U.S. resources are devoted to military spending.

January 25, 2023

United Methodists believe that war is incompatible with the teachings and example of Christ. We believe that human values must outweigh military claims as governments determine their priorities; that the militarization of society must be challenged and stopped; that the manufacture, sale and deployment of armaments must be reduced and controlled; and that the production, possession, or use of nuclear weapons be condemned (United Methodist Social Principles ¶165.C). Scripture calls Christians to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21) and to seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14).

The U.S. government is one of the most powerful forces driving the production and sale of weapons worldwide. More than half of the weapons produced globally in 2020 were manufactured in the United States and the U.S. spends far more than any other country on defense. Most of this spending does not go to U.S. service members; instead more than half of this amount is allocated for weapons purchases from for-profit defense contractors.

National budgets are moral documents. They are a testament to national priorities. (2016 Book of Resolutions, #6129). Alarming portions of U.S. resources are devoted to military spending. We call upon the US government to reduce military spending and to reapportion national revenue to prioritize domestic programs. We support programs that increase the quality of educational offerings in public school systems, improve access to health care for all, create affordable housing, and support creation of employment opportunities and training programs (2016 Book of Resolutions, #4061).