Quaker Peace Action
Quaker Peace Testimony of 1660
The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) have been advocating peace for 350 years. We sent delegations to the Sultan of Turkey and to Hitler … 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' (from an article by Queensland Quaker David Johnson, as part of the Australian Campaign Against the Arms Trade).
Quakers first expressed their commitment to pacifism in the Quaker Peace Testimony, issued to King Charles II in 1660 AD:
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.
Quaker action alerts
The use of the death penalty is a major concern to Friends because of the inhumanity involved. Many countries (including in our region) still use the death penalty for a range of criminal offences. In Australia, the Senate passed a resolution in August 2006 that called on all Australian Parliaments to work together to incorporate the Second Optional protocol to ICCPR (Prohibiting the death penalty) into Australian law. Many individual MPs and Senators of all political parties are concerned about the death penalty.
Possible action to oppose the death penalty
- Contact your own MP or Senator to check their response to the resolution
- Contact your state/territory government requesting that they respond to the Senate resolution and indicate willingness to support the inclusion of the Protocol’s provisions in domestic law
Quaker witness for peace
Quaker nonviolence activist David Johnson has put together a Nonviolence Calendar which provides inspiring information about non-violent action taken every day of the year. To visit the calendar, Quaker Nonviolence Calendar
Silent vigils
- Brisbane, King George Square: Vigil against war, 5–6 pm on the first Friday of each month
- Melbourne, on the steps of the old General Post Office, Bourke Street: Vigil against injustice towards Indigenous people at 12 noon on Monday
Quakers lobbying for peace and social justice
Quakers send regular letters on peace and social justice issues — Peace - Public Statements.
Quakers are involved in many peace organisations
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