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ARTICLE VIII
PACIFISM AND MINORITY RIGHTS
Few of us will forget the date of December 7,	1941	when Pearl Harbor was attacked. Of course,	war	in Europe and	the Pacific	had
been going on for many months	but	this drew the	United States
directly into the conflict.
All three branches, which later became United Methodism, had published strong statements condemning war and urging reconciliation among nations then at war, but their position was weakened, once the U.S. was involved.
However, many members of these churches continued to express opposition and supported conscientious objectors. It was a real struggle for them to reconcile warfare	and Christian	commitment.
This deep feeling grew and as	the	war ended, laity, clergy,	and
many agencies supported the establishment of a world organization to serve as a forum for the solving of international problems.
It was believed this should cover social, economic and political questions. This culminated in April, 1945 with the founding of the United Nations.
Though not successful in all its goals, this worldwide organization has accomplished great good and has brought about many changes. It was a major step forward in replacing constant conflict with arbitration and negotiation, and cooperation in solving worldwide problems.
The development of nuclear weapons and rocketry also created major social changes, worldwide.
During this period from World War II to the late 60's, there were at least three other matters which occupied the attention of the churches. One was their concern for ecumenicity and church union. The union of the Evangelical Church and the United Brethren Church was accomplished on November 16,	1946 following negotiations since
1926 .
At the time of their joining, they had about 700,000 members.
Methodists were also interested in closer ties with other Methodist and Wesleyan bodies and in 1951	participated	in	the	formation	of
the World Methodist Council.
Showing interest in wider ecumenical commitment, both groups - the Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren - became active members of the World Council of Churches founded in 1948 and the National Council of Churches founded in 1950.
Thus their members were able to	take	part	in	cooperative	mission
and ministries.
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