Peace Testimony

"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."  From "A Declaration to Charles II," 1661. Full text at: http://www.quaker.org/peaceweb/pdecla07.html

 Also see http://www.quakerinfo.org/quakerism/peacetestimony.html

Activities of the Peace and Social Concerns Committee of York Monthly Meeting

We, the members of the Peace and Social Concerns Committee, direct our activities based on Matthew 5:9:

 Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God

  and Mathew 5:15,16:

Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

We also follow the advice in Faith and Practice of Baltimore Yearly Meeting. Below are some excerpts; the complete text can be found here.

15. Social Responsibility

It seems to me that the moving force behind the Quaker social witness has got to be some vision, however faint and tantalizing, of what the world would be like if we were really obedient to God.  --(Deborah Haines)

 
            The basic Quaker trust in the Light within leads to our trust in the inherent dignity and sacredness of each person. This trust, combined with our Society's own history of persecution, underlies our social witness.

Some concerns which once drew the witness of Friends are obsolete today, but still we have many challenges. War, violence in streets and homes, injustice in the justice system, prejudice and discrimination, the plights of starving, homeless and disadvantaged people, and business conduct which involves exploitation of people or nature's resources all these still call us to action in obedience to the Spirit.

16. Peace and Non-violence

 God's law of love, as taught and lived by Jesus Christ, applies to all the levels of society. Wars break the law of love as do violence in communities and families and fighting between individuals. Friends have a settled intention to practice love and to make peace.

As peacemakers we hold that attitudes of justice and compassion are basic. A peacemaker must be able to identify with others. Peace cannot be attained at the expense of others. "Do to others as you would be done by" is indeed a Golden Rule.

17. Civic Responsibility

Friends believe that the aim of government is to preserve a community in which justice, peace, good order and individual development are possible. Members of our Society are also citizens of the community and the nation. Quakerism is not intended to be a refuge from the disturbing events of our times, but rather a source of strength and support in facing them. The free institutions under which we live give many of our members a direct share in the responsibilities of government and in forming a healthy public opinion.

Whether or not directly involved in government, we need to consider carefully our responsibilities in influencing legislation and educating fellow citizens on public issues. Friends should work with people in other churches and in the community to bring about desirable ends through the institutional resources of society.

In trying to follow this path we, as a Meeting and as individuals, have met with legislators, written them concerning specific legislation, written letters to the editor, and made public statements in local venues. Examples

National Religious Campaign Against Torture

Sandy Spring Friends Meeting, Stony Run Friends Meeting and Baltimore Yearly Meeting are all supporting members of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture.  York Meeting seeks to support their activities whenever possible through contact with elected officials. For more information about this campaign, visit the NRCAT Website.

Peace Tax Fund

Baltimore Yearly Meeting supports The National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund, a national non-profit organization located in Washington, D.C., which advocates for U.S. federal legislation that would enable conscientious objectors to war to have their federal income taxes directed to a special fund which would be used for non-military purposes alone. This fund would be called the Peace Tax Fund, and the bill we seek to pass is called the Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Bill, called H.R. 1921 in the current Congressional term. For more information, visit the Peace Tax Fund Website.

York Friends' Thoughts

The following links are an outline and discussion notes taken from a York Friends' Meeting January 9, 2005.

York Friends' Minute on the Peace Testimony

Outline of Approaches to Peace and Non-Violence for Modern Quakers

Discussion Notes - Approaches to Peace and Non-Violence for Modern Quakers.

AFSCs Public Message on the Iraq War

One Day = $720 Million

A new video shows how the Iraq War budget could be used.

We have  a supply of "War Is Not The Answer" yard signs, available free of charge to  anyone who wants to display one. Please stop by the Meeting House if you would like to pick up a sign.