From the Friends

Posted on March 21, 2003 in War

We utterly deny all outward wars and strifes and fightings with outward weapons, for any end, or under any pretense whatsoever; 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 fight and war against any man with outward weapons, neither for the Kingdom of Christ nor for the Kingdoms of this world. Therefore we cannot learn war any more.

Letter to King James by the Religious Society of Friends, 1666

This has influenced my agnostic thinking on the issue of war, my faith that in a single standard of Truth we may find peace in our hearts and in our world. It underpins my recent comments on the Second Gulf War.

For a broader Quaker viewpoint, see my wife’s blog.

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Seen at Byte Back:

When the war ends, what are you going to do with your hate?