Quakers and Peace
Quaker Peace Testimony
The first Quaker Peace Testimony, issued to King Charles II in 1660 AD, reads:
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 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 and war against any (person) with outward weapons, neither for the kingdoms of this world.
Peace is seen by Quakers as far more than a rejection of warfare. In the silent meditation and prayer of the Quaker Meeting for Worship, and in our search in daily life for that of God in all people, Quakers have sought to develop an ethos which puts love of our fellow human beings into practice. Accordingly Quakers have worked for changes and improvements in social institutions such as prisons, mental homes, and hospitals, and towards the abolition of slavery, race discrimination, torture and war.
The peace testimony needs to be put into practice by each of us individually in daily life as well as in the political institutions and policies of countries. Understanding how manipulation, exploitation and violence arise in our personal and communal relationships can help us to recognise how these lead to anger, fear, polarisation and war in international relations.
Quakers and nonviolence
Many Quakers are active in nonviolent action. For a calendar of nonviolent action, go to www.quakers.org.au/nonviolence
Quakers in times of war
Quakers do not automatically condemn people who resort to personal, communal or international violence, but try by example to show how justice and peace can be achieved nonviolently through reaching out to that of God in others.
This is not easy and certainly does not guarantee immunity from loss and suffering.
War usually arises from deep and complex causes including injustices, which can only be overcome by great effort, sacrifice and patience. Quakers believe however that systematic resort to violence in war normally results in more suffering and injustice.
Here in Australia after the First World War, work on behalf of the Friends' War Victims Relief Committee of London Yearly Meeting became the outstanding feature of Friends' work.
In 1938 the International Committee of Australia General Meeting helped refugees from Nazi persecution and sent tons of food and clothing to Europe. Members of this committee visited internment camps, in one of which eventually a Meeting for Worship was held regularly by a group of men who had escaped from Nazism, been wrongly interned in Britain and then transferred to Australia.
In the darkness and despair of 1942 this Quaker group issued the memorable statement: 'To conquer by belief, to vanquish by hope, to overcome by love, is the most important contribution towards the establishment of a better world to come and to be enjoyed by all mankind'.
Quaker Peace Activism
The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) have been advocating peace for 350 years. We sent delegations to the Sultan of Turkey, to Hitler, and (most recently) to John Howard asking them to reconsider their actions.
We have driven ambulances and fed the starving on both sides in many conflicts. We send people into the midst of conflicts all over the world, to help find out what is REALLY going on and to do whatever presents itself to help build a peace that 'takes away the occasion of all wars'.
Issues of national security and international trade relations are complex and difficult, but it is hard to see how they can be helped by a military engagement (from an article by David Johnson, of the Australian Campaign Against the Arms Trade).
Quakers make their opposition to war known through peaceful protests and silent vigils in public places. Regular vigils are held in capital cities, and all are welcome.
- Brisbane, first Friday of each month, 5–6pm in King George Square.
- In Melbourne, every Monday midday, on the steps of the old General Post Office in Burke Street.
Quakers are involved in many peace organisations and activities —
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