A Critique of the IPPANI Report: A Dissenter's View

by J.A.L. Robertson, M.A., F.R.S.C.

1986

Summary

This critique explains how the Planning Committee of the Interfaith Program for Public Awareness of Nuclear Issues is deluding itself, and the readers of its report, in claiming success for the process. The hearings failed to achieve public awareness, while the report fails to address nuclear issues. The IPPANI process is based on the fallacies that faith can substitute for facts, and politics for ethics. This critique rejects as unsubstantiated and potentially dangerous the organizers' suggestion that IPPANI should serve as a model for assessing other contentious issues. It would be ethically unacceptable for activists within church hierarchies, having cried "Alarm!" here and been proven wrong, to wash their hands of the consequences of their actions and cause mischief elsewhere.

"To know what is wrong, and to remain silent, is to share the guilt." -- Confucius, loosely translated.

Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Process and the People Involved
3. 3rd Week Panel's Report (Canada's Involvement in Nuclear Arms)
4. 2nd Week Panel Report (Canada's International Nuclear Trade)
5. 1st Week Panel Report (Canada's Domestic Nuclear Issues)
6. The Process
7. Conclusion

• Appendix A Allegations of Secrecy
• Appendix B Public Opinion
• Appendix C Polarization
• Appendix D The Churches Role at the Hearings