Pima
Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
931
North 5th Avenue, Tucson, Arizona, 87507 pimameeting@hotmail.com
A
Minute approved on September 8, 2002 by Pima Monthly Meeting:
We
members and attenders of Pima Monthly Meeting of the Religious
Society of Friends (Quakers) in Tucson, Arizona, are deeply
concerned about the imminent possibility of war and the infectious
stimulation of the spirit of war, violence, and terrorism. It
is imperative that we remind our nation of the Quaker Peace
Testimony, that the seeds of war are not only in others, but
within ourselves. We cannot define evil as that which is done
to us, excluding all that is done by us.
The
"debate" in which our political leaders are engaged does not
confront the destruction that war would unleash with unending
cycles of retaliation. Such cycles must end if civilization
is to survive. There is no security except in the creation of
bonds of faith, trust, fair-dealing and mutual respect established
through diplomacy and understanding the views and grievances
of others.
Our
testimony is based on the fundamental conviction that war is
wrong in the sight of God, and that every person is worthy of
respect.
"We
utterly deny all outward wars and strife, and fightings with
outward weapons, for any end, or under any pretense whatsoever;
this is our testimony to the whole world....Therefore we cannot
learn war any more."
This
testimony was directed to Charles II in 1660, and we now address
it to President George Bush, his cabinet, and Congress in 2002.
We
must bring peace back into the center of debate. To create peace
and justice we must be led from a peaceful, compassionate center
and urge widespread efforts on the part of everyone concerned.
OTHER
QUAKER STATEMENTS & LETTERS
Reviewed:
09/06/2005
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