Read and distributed at the 20th Evangelischer Kirchentag
Hanover, 9th June 1983
I, too, have decided to keep silent
- because I shall not be drawn into any discussion about genocide;
- because nuclear bombs are not weapons; they cannot be used except for man’s extermination;
- because the deployment of nuclear bombs makes both peace and war senseless;
- because silence here speaks better than words;
- because in discussing conditions under which I would renounce using these bombs, I become a criminal;
- because nuclear deterrence is folly;
- because I will not threaten others with my suicide;
- because the ‘zone of silence’ which surrounded genocide under the Nazis has been replaced by a ‘zone of argument’;
- because only my silence speaks clearly in this zone of compulsive peace talks;
- because my horrified silence cannot be used or governed;
- because…
Cross out whatever does not fit you. Add your own reasons for silence. Circulate these.