Saying they oppose war with Iraq on moral grounds, leaders representing 16 Evanston churches met with U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky Monday to discuss their fears about an invasion.

"Out in the real world, outside the [Washington] Beltway, it's causing tremendous anxiety," said Paul Howard, a member of St. Athanasius Roman Catholic Church, who helped write a protest letter that the church leaders signed. "People find it not only morally repugnant but practically stupid."

Howard and others were greeted warmly by Schakowsky (D-Ill.) in her Evanston office, where she reiterated her opposition to war with Iraq.

Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and Baptist churches were among those represented in the letter.

Schakowsky said she has received about 6,000 letters and e-mails on the subject, with all except 100 opposing war.

The congresswoman criticized the Bush administration's approach to disarming Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, saying the president is pressing ahead regardless of anti-war sentiment at home and abroad.

"To me, war represents a failure of civilization to resolve its problems without violence," she said.

In their letter, the religious leaders wrote that their congregations were patriotic and wanted to support the government.

Still, the letter said in part: "We call upon our elected representatives to start a dialog that further explores the peaceful options that will meet our security needs, such as a greatly expanded Iraqi [United Nations] inspection program and direct negotiations with North Korea."

Rev. Elizabeth Hopp-Peters of Northminster Presbyterian Church said most members of her congregation find it morally repugnant that the United States is considering a pre-emptive strike.

"I do believe we'll end up destabilizing the world," she said.

Syed Wahaj Ahmed of the Islamic Center of Chicago said American Muslims want democracy in Middle Eastern countries but do not believe war is the answer.

"We want the people in Iraq and Afghanistan taken care of," he said. "They are suffering."

Rev. F. E. Harris of Springfield Missionary Baptist Church said he worries about his 21-year-old son, a Marine based at the U.S. embassy in Lima, Peru.

"It is not President Bush or Saddam Hussein who will be put in harm's way in the war," Harris said. "It is our sons and daughters who will be sacrificed."

Schakowsky urged religious leaders to remain hopeful.

"I don't want you to accept the inevitability of war," she said.

GRAPHIC: PHOTOPHOTO: U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky meets Monday in her office with Evanston clergy who oppose war with Iraq. Tribune photo by Jose More.