Quakers on Peace; Some Testimonies by Friends, 1650-1975

Washington DC: Friends Meeting of Washington, For the Peace Committee, 1975. Presumed First Edition, First printing. Wraps, Staplebound. Good. [2], 18 pages plus covers. Illustrated front cover. Cover has some wear and soiling. This pamphlet was sponsored by Friends Coordinating Committee on Peace. This pamphlet offers brief selections illustrating the peace testimony of the Religious Society of Friends, from the 17th century onwards. Many of the selections are excerpts from statements on peace made by Quakers at various critical times. Others are arguments used to justify religious pacifism. Also included is a slight sampling of actions by Friends witnessing for peace. This was issued during a critical period in the Vietnam War. This pamphlet may help Friends who wish to review their own attitudes, in a world under threat of nuclear war. These selections may also speak to non-Friends who seek a firm unchanging ground for their commitment to peace. The pamphlet also includes materials for Further Reading. Peace testimony, or testimony against war, is a shorthand description of the action generally taken by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) for peace and against participation in war. Like other Quaker testimonies, it is not a "belief", but a description of committed actions, in this case to promote peace, and refrain from and actively oppose participation in war. Quakers' original refusal to bear arms has been broadened to embrace protests and demonstrations in opposition to government policies of war and confrontations with others who bear arms, whatever the reason, in the support of peace and active nonviolence. Because of this core testimony, the Religious Society of Friends is considered one of the traditional peace churches. Quakers have engaged in peace testimony by protesting against wars, refusing to serve in armed forces if drafted, seeking conscientious objector status when available, and even to participating 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. Some others were firm Christian pacifists. During extreme circumstances it has been difficult for some Quakers to engage in and uphold this testimony, yet Friends have almost universally been committed to the ideal of peace, even those who have felt the need to compromise on their testimony. The Religious Society of Friends was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1947. The Nobel Prize was awarded to Friends for Friends' work to relieve suffering and feed many millions of starving people during and after both world wars. The Nobel prize was accepted by the American Friends Service Committee, along with the UK's Friends Service Council on behalf of all Quakers.