SGI was among the 30 co-sponsoring organizations that joined this year’s Nuclear Prayer Day, which was initiated by Voices for a World Free of Nuclear Weapons (Voices), an organization that is part of the United Religions Initiative. Through the Nuclear Prayer Day (NPD) initiative, Voices invites all individuals of goodwill and all organizations of concern to draw strength from their deepest convictions and longings for a better future every year on 6 August.
NPD’s purpose statement says, “A world united in moments of silence, in words spoken from the heart, and in a sure vision of a world beyond nuclear weapons—such moments will anchor and sustain our commitment as we work together to bring an end to the nuclear threat.” While many organizations and individuals mark 6 August as a day to commemorate the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945, Voices marks the day as an annual day of prayer, uniting people of different faiths to refresh their commitment for peace and revitalize the sense of hope.
A world united in moments of silence, in words spoken from the heart, and in a sure vision of a world beyond nuclear weapons—such moments will anchor and sustain our commitment as we work together to bring an end to the nuclear threat.
As part of the NPD, Voices also organized a Zoom event titled “Spiritual Power: Hope in Action for Nuclear Weapons Abolition” on 6 August. Anna Ikeda of SGI, who also serves as an Executive Committee member of Voices and actively engaged in the planning process of the NPD, moderated the event. Speakers were diverse and included those representing affected communities, spiritual leaders, nuclear disarmament activists and experts. The Rt. Rev. William E. Swing, Founding Trustee and President Emeritus of United Religions Initiative, who also initiated Voices, opened the event by sharing a Nuclear Prayer, which is recited at every Voices monthly meeting.
Starting the discussion, Ira Helfand, a member of both the International Steering Group of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) and the Steering Committee of the Back from the Brink campaign, stressed the urgency we are facing today, stating, “The destruction at Hiroshima and Nagasaki was terrible, and it was a very powerful warning to us of what nuclear weapons can do, but it does not begin to prepare us for the danger which we face today.” Helfand shared the potential impact of any use of today’s more powerful nuclear weapons, not only in the cities and countries where the bombs are dropped, but also at the global scale through their impacts on climate, food production and resulting famine.
Helfand reminded the audience that this stark picture is not an inevitable fate and that such weapons can be dismantled. What we are lacking is the political will to do so, and that’s where concerned individuals and communities must contribute through activism and education.
Following Helfand’s remarks, seven other speakers responded to various questions on important facts about nuclear weapons, where they draw their inner strengths from, what gives them hope and what steps people can take to make a difference.
Benetick Maddison of Marshallese Education Initiative described the devastating consequences of nuclear testing conducted in the Marshall Islands, which harmed people’s health—including high rates of cancer and miscarriages—as well as Marshallese culture, land and water. He shared that being able to work together with the members of other frontline communities—especially in their advocacy for the Victim Assistance, Environmental Remediation and International Cooperation goals enshrined in Articles 6 and 7 of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons—has been a source of inspiration and strength for him. Maddison also mentioned the presence of young people at international conferences on nuclear disarmament as a source of hope.
Vera Anderson of Nevada Desert Experience shared that what gives her hope in her work for abolishing nuclear weapons are the communities in which she is involved, and she encouraged participants to continue engaging in activities that foster the sense of community. She noted that prayers also give her a sense of connection. She reminded the audience to focus on “what could be” instead of what has been when thinking about the progress made toward a future without nuclear weapons.
Venessa Hanson (top left) of ICAN was awarded the Voice’s Youth Award
As part of the event’s program, Venessa Hanson of ICAN was awarded the Voice’s Youth Award. Participants also engaged in small group discussions and shared reflections with one another.
