| Peace Testimony |
Article Index for Peace |
Website Links For Peace |
Information AboutPeace Testimony |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT PEACE TESTIMONY | |
| christian philosophy | |
| quakerism | |
| peace | |
| SHOPPER'S DELIGHT | |
|
GENERAL EXPLANATION The Peace Testimony is largely derived from the teachings of Jesus to love one's enemies and Friends' belief in the Inner Light . The Peace Testimony does not mean that Quakers believe in passive resignation; in fact, they believe in and practice passionate activism. It does mean that Quakers believe that non-violent confrontation of evil and peaceful reconciliation are always superior to violent measures. DEVELOPMENT OF THE PEACE TESTIMONY George Fox , perhaps the most influential early Quaker, made a declaration in 1651 that many see as the first declaration of the peace testimony: :I told Commonwealth Commissioners I lived in the virtue of that life and power that took away the occasion of all wars and I knew from whence all wars did rise, from the lust, according to James's doctrine... I told them I was come into the covenant of peace which was before wars and strifes were. Fox 1651 The best-known version of this Testimony was stated in a declaration to King Charles II Of England in 1660 . This excerpt is commonly cited: :We utterly deny all outward wars and strife and fightings with outward weapons, for any end or under any pretence whatsoever. And this is our testimony to the whole world. The Spirit Of Christ , by which we are guided, is not changeable, so as once to command us from a thing as evil and again to move unto it; and we do certainly know, and so testify to the world, that the spirit of Christ, which leads us into all Truth, will never move us to fight any war against any man with outward weapons, neither for the kingdom of Christ, nor for the kingdoms of this world. A Declaration from the harmless and innocent people of God, called Quakers APPLICATION OF THE PEACE TESTIMONY The peace testimony has inspired Quakers to protest wars, refuse to serve in armed forces if drafted, to seek Conscientious Objector status when available, and even to participate in acts of Civil Disobedience . Not all Quakers embrace this testimony as an absolute; for example, there were Friends that fought in World War I and World War II . During extreme circumstances this has been a difficult testimony for some Quakers to endorse and to uphold, yet Friends have almost universally been committed to the ideal of peace, even those who have felt the need to compromise on the application of it. The American Friends Service Committee , along with the UK's Friends Service Council was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1947 on behalf of all of Quakerism for their work for peace after both world wars. EXTERNAL LINKS
OTHER QUAKER TESTIMONIES |