Citerank: (7) 55132Risk of nuclear annihilationRisk that the use of nuclear weapons might trigger an escalating conflict that could wholly destroy (human) life on the planet.1198CE71, 55135High risk that existing weapons will be used by accident or designSo long as any such weapons remain, it defies credibility that they will not one day be used, by accident or miscalculation or design.1198CE71, 55140Deligitimize nuclear weaponsTransform perceptions of the role and utility of nuclear weapons, from occupying a central place in strategic thinking to being seen as quite marginal, and ultimately wholly unnecessary.109FDEF6, 128700High risk that existing weapons will be used by accident or designSo long as any such weapons remain, it defies credibility that they will not one day be used, by accident or miscalculation or design.1198CE71, 128701Risk of nuclear annihilationRisk that the use of nuclear weapons might trigger an escalating conflict that could wholly destroy (human) life on the planet.1198CE71, 128702Nuclear weapons are indiscriminateNo weapon ever conceived is as terribly indiscriminate and inhumane in its impact as an atomic or hydrogen bomb.1198CE71, 128765Deligitimize nuclear weaponsTransform perceptions of the role and utility of nuclear weapons, from occupying a central place in strategic thinking to being seen as quite marginal, and ultimately wholly unnecessary.109FDEF6

No weapon ever conceived is as terribly indiscriminate and inhumane in its impact as an atomic or hydrogen bomb: no one listening, as we have, to the harrowing testimony of the hibakusha – the surviving victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki – could ever want to see their experience repeated. And nuclear weapons are the only ones ever invented that have the capacity to wholly destroy life on this planet.

“The churches in Scotland have been absolutely clear that nuclear weapons are immoral,” said the Rev David McLachlan, minister of Langside Church of Scotland in Glasgow, who attended today’s blockade, “As Christians and clergy we are called to take a stand against them”. He insisted that, “It is unacceptable for the UK and NATO to threaten to use nuclear weapons, because they are indiscriminate. If Trident is ever used it will mean the death of millions of innocent people. That’s what deterrence means.” The UK government is committed to the renewal of the Trident nuclear weapons system, despite opposition from faith groups, trades unions, NGOs and charities. Recent polls have shown a majority of the population to be opposed to the plan.