The Peace Testimony

From their earliest days Quakers, or members of the Society of Friends as they are officially called, have been associated with the cause of peace.  This was inescapable because of their central belief that there is “that of God” in every person.  As such we are all brothers and sisters in Christ.  Early Friends referred to Quakerism as “primitive Christianity revived.”  For the first two centuries after Christ’s death, Christians refused to bear arms.  The New Testament call is to “overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).  As the time of his crucifixion drew near, Jesus told his disciples to put away their swords.  “He that lives by the sword shall die by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52)

 In times of war, many Quakers have registered as conscientious objectors performing alternative service such as in the Civilian Public Service camps (national park work, fire fighting, mental hospitals, farm work) or serving in unarmed, non-combatant roles such as in the Friends’ Ambulance Unit.  Some have preferred to go to jail for their beliefs.  Generally the relief efforts of Quaker organizations have served all sides of the conflict equally.  In 1947 the American Friends Service Committee and the British Friends Service Council were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their refugee work in post-World War II Europe.  Henry Cadbury, in accepting the award for the AFSC said, "You are saying ... here today that common folk, not statesmen, nor generals nor great men of affairs, but just simple plain men and women like the few thousand Quakers and their friends, if they devote themselves to resolute insistence on Goodwill in place of force, even in the face of great disaster past or threatened, can do something to build a better, peaceful world."

Equally important as not participating in war is the refusal to participate in any preparations for war.  Quakers have spearheaded work in peace studies as an academic discipline, in the Peace Tax Fund, in war tax resistance, in socially conscious investing, and in exposing the dangers to our economy and to world peace of the ever growing military-industrial complex and American imperialism.

The pursuit of peace in the community, in the workplace, in the family, and in one’s own heart is inseparable from the pursuit of peace in the world.  Friends have been leaders in the fields of mediation and conflict resolution.  The Alternatives to Violence Program was begun by Quakers working in a prison in New York State, and the Children’s Creative Response to Conflict is its adaptation for use with schools and youth groups. 

If you are similarly searching for peace in the world, in your family, and in your heart, we invite you to join us in our corporate and prayerful quest. 

Peace Options for the Rio Grande Valley (www.peaceoptions.org) is a project of the Rio Grande Valley Friends Worship Group.