Morality is not the prime motivator for governments. Arguably, politics precludes moral responsibility. And certainly, moral responsibility will always get sent to the back burner while political agendas brew.

The Armenian Genocide is not up for debate. It doesn't need any more proof.

The extermination of the Armenian people was systematically orchestrated by the Turkish government. The press, the New York Times in particular, wrote about it. Visitors in Turkey, including the U.S. Ambassador Henry Morgenthau, witnessed it. And the bones, remains and spirits of 1.5 million Armenian souls lay as a testament to it.

Recognition does not validate the event. Recognition gives people an opportunity to express their humanity in the face of grave tragedy. In this respect it behooves every religious body to recognize the tragedy of others.

By doing so, they elevate their congregation to new heights. By recognizing the tragedy of others we begin to understand, we accept, we learn, we grow.

Recognition brings harmony among people. It lays the foundation to lasting peace.

FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN

Armenian Church

Youth Ministries

I feel the U.S. government has a moral responsibility to acknowledge the horrors inflicted upon the Armenian community by the Ottoman Turks. Due to diplomatic pressure from its NATO partner, Turkey, the U.S. refuses to officially recognize that what took place in 1915 was indeed a crime against humanity.

It's unfortunate that politics have trumped the need to face the truth.

Genocide, racial hatred, mass murder and other crimes have been all too common throughout the history of man. Sometimes the barbarity is more dreadful and occurs on a greater scale than others, but ultimately, these events always leave a dark, tragic stain on the conscience of humanity. If we are ever going to eradicate this insane and monstrous behavior and ensure that history does not repeat itself, we must first and foremost recognize the past.

As a grandson of Holocaust survivors, I vividly remember seeing my Polish grandfather light a row of memorial candles for his family murdered by the Nazis. I recall my Hungarian grandmother telling me about her family, who were carted off to Auschwitz. When we say "never again," we must recognize that for this statement to ring true, we must accurately acknowledge and memorialize injustice and prejudice -- regardless of the race, religion, color or creed of the victims.

RABBI SIMCHA BACKMAN

Chabad Jewish Center

In Southern California we are blessed with many Armenian friends, neighbors and business associates. Regarding the Armenian Genocide, we should first remember that "they" are really "us." We are united as fellow countrymen and fellow humans created in the image of God. Biblically and literally, they are the "neighbors" God wants us to love as ourselves.

In His love for all peoples of the world "God sent His Son to be the sacrifice by which our sins are forgiven." With this universal expression of love comes a universal obligation: "since God loved us this much, we must love each another." (1 John 4:10-11)

Love responds to the pain of those around us. The American people are obligated to recognize both personally and officially the massacre of well over one million Armenians that occurred less than one hundred years ago. Our Armenian brothers and sisters still grieve deeply over this atrocity, even as they suffer the derision of critics who deny this genocide even happened. As people of faith, we're obligated to weep when those around us weep, looking forward to the day when the Lord will wipe away every tear from our eyes.

PASTOR JON BARTA

Valley Baptist Church

Burbank

I do not know how important it is from a religious standpoint for the United States to recognize the Armenian Genocide, but I think it would be morally correct for this to happen.

There doesn't seem to be much doubt that a genocide took place in the early part of the last century, despite the denials of various Turkish governments over the span of many years.

Just as it is morally wrong for the U.S. not to recognize the genocide, it is doubly so for the Turkish government to continue to deny it. The evidence is overwhelming that it did happen. Of course, as it is in most international situations, politics is very much at play. The Turks don't want to broach the subject of reparations to Armenian survivor families or the return of former Armenian lands, and the American government currently in power does not want to lose the friendship and cooperation of the Turks in international affairs.

I think a future American government will recognize the genocide and it is my prayer that the Turks eventually will do so as well. It will take positive action on the part of the Turks for this atrocity to ever be even partially reconciled. Above all, though, the thing we have to remember is that the Turks who participated in the genocide are not the Turks of today. Today's Turks are as blameless for the genocide as the people of Germany today are blameless for the atrocities of the Germans in Nazi history. Such events should be remembered, but to hold anger and unforgiveness toward people who were not responsible for either genocide is irresponsible.

THE REV. THOMAS E. WITHERSPOON

Unity Church of the Valley

La Crescenta

The second question seems easier to answer than the first. From a religious point of view, I believe it is important to recognize that such slaughters took place. The Judeo-Christian tradition is full of examples of how believers should side with the powerless, with those who have no rights, with those who are exploited. Now, as for government having a moral responsibility, I believe the answer is yes. But the tough part comes when an offending government (in the case of the Armenian genocide, the Turkish government) refuses to acknowledge that anything wrong took place.

Nobody likes to admit that his/her government acted in a tyrannical manner; look at what we white Europeans did to the Native Americans when our forbears settled here. The European settlers' treatment of Native Americans is not a proud chapter in our history. Neither is our history in the participation of slavery. Still, we as a nation have owned up to our part in some of our ignominious history. Perhaps it's time for the Turkish government to do the same.

THE REV. C. L. "SKIP" LINDEMAN

Congregational Church of the Lighted Window

United Church of Christ

La Cañada Flintridge

Sometimes it is very difficult to face the truth because it is too painful. Other times we refrain from speaking the truth because it would be too offensive and we want to maintain a relationship.

Nations have the same problem when they are negotiating to make things better.

Often an accusation, even if true, can cause more harm than good.

Nevertheless at least 39 states of the United States and 23 countries recognize the Armenian massacre as "genocide." So too does the Vatican.

From 1970 there have been at least four meetings between the Pope and the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, which resulted in a mutual statement in November of 2000: "For both of us, the 20th century was marked by extreme violence. The Armenian Genocide, which began the century, was a prologue to horrors that would follow ... Nevertheless, without diminishing the horror of these events and their consequences, there may be a kind of divine challenge in them, if in response Christians are persuaded to join together in deeper friendship in the cause of Christian truth and love."

The mutual statement of John Paul II and His Holiness Karekin II is about two pages long and ends with, "Finally, we seek the intercession of the Holy Mother of God for the sake of peace. May the Lord grant wisdom to the leaders of nations, so that justice and peace may prevail throughout the world .... "

THE REV. GENE FRILOT

Pastor Emeritus

Incarnation Catholic Church

Glendale