FCNL’s Quakers’ Colonel weblog (“blog”) has drawn a lot of positive public attention, is serving as an important tool for interpreting public events, and has attracted some new audiences to learn about the work of this 63-year-old Quaker organization.
The blog, written by FCNL Senior Fellow on Military Affairs Col. Dan Smith (USA Ret.), provides commentaries and perspectives on U.S. foreign policy. The first entry in The Quakers’ Colonel provides a brief description of the project and sets guidelines for contributions.
As the association of a military colonel and a Friends organization is somewhat unique, the following would set the context for this novel experiment.
What Does “Quakers’ Colonel” mean?
The title’s cognitive dissonance helps to interest people in the blog and draw more people into a conversation that they might not otherwise join. The title “The Quakers’ Colonel” indicates that Dan Smith is a colonel whose perspective on the world leads him to associate with Quakers and leads FCNL to associate with him. The blog’s title is not meant to imply that Dan Smith is a member of the Religious Society of Friends or otherwise to characterize his religious beliefs.
Why Would a Quaker Organization Want to Have a Colonel on Staff?
Dan’s experience with war and its effects, and his desire to shift to working for peace through FCNL’s legislative advocacy, give him a unique perspective on military affairs and U.S. foreign policy. Dan supports FCNL’s Statement of Legislative Policy, opposing war and the threat of war. We believe the FCNL network and others benefit from hearing Dan’s voice and perspectives. Dan’s experiences also help us to listen more actively and with greater understanding to the voices of those with whom we might not agree. Also, Dan’s resume opens doors so that people who might not otherwise listen to FCNL are more able to hear what we are saying. Historically, Quakers have welcomed people who are seekers after truth, whatever titles or other labels they happen to be wearing at the time. The fact that someone has served in the military does not disqualify him or her from joining with Friends in common cause working for peace.
Is FCNL drifting from Quaker principles by having “The Quakers’ Colonel”?
FCNL is and remains a Quaker organization. FCNL’s governance, legislative policies, and priorities arise from and reflect the faith and practice of Friends across the country.
The Quaker principle that there is that of God in every person, for example, shapes the way we carry out our work each day. We put this principle into practice by treating each person with whom we meet with respect, even when we disagree with their positions; through our willingness to work with people from all political parties across the ideological spectrum; and by working to create dialogue and bring opposing points of view together for meaningful discussion.
Read The Quakers' Colonel
Read more of Dan Smith's writings.
Reviewed:
01/10/2007
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