Thetestimony of peace (a.k.a.testimony for peace ortestimony against war) is the action generally taken by members of theReligious Society of Friends (Quakers) for peace and against participation in war. Like otherQuaker testimonies, it is not a "belief", but a description of committed actions, in this case to promote peace, and refrain from and actively oppose participation in war. Quakers' original refusal to bear arms has been broadened to embrace protests and demonstrations in opposition to government policies of war and confrontations with others who bear arms, whatever the reason, in the support ofpeace and activenonviolence. Due to this core testimony, the Religious Society of Friends is considered one of the traditionalpeace churches.
Friends' testimony of peace is largely derived from beliefs arising from the teachings ofJesus to love one's enemies and Friends' belief in theinner light. Quakers believe that nonviolent confrontation of evil and peaceful reconciliation are always superior to violent measures. The testimony of peace does not mean that Quakers engage only in passive resignation; in fact, they often practice passionate activism.
The testimony of peace is probably the best known testimony of Friends. The belief that violence is wrong has persisted to this day, and manyconscientious objectors, advocates ofnon-violence andanti-war activists are Friends. Due to their testimony of peace, Friends are considered one of the historicpeace churches. In 1947 Friends as a worldwide religious group were awarded theNobel Peace Prize, which was accepted by theAmerican Friends Service Committee and the then London Yearly Meeting's Friends Service Committee, now called Britain Yearly MeetingPeace & Social Witness on behalf of all Friends. The testimony of peace has not always been well received in the world; on many occasions Friends have been imprisoned for refusing to serve in military activities.[citation needed]
Some Friends today regard the testimony of peace in even a broader sense,refusing to pay the portion of the income tax that goes to fund the military. Yearly Meetings in the United States, Britain and other parts of the world endorse and support these Friends' actions.[1] TheQuaker Council for European Affairs campaigns in the European Parliament for the right of conscientious objectors in Europe not to be made to pay for the military. Some do pay the money into peace charities and still get goods seized by bailiffs or money taken from their bank accounts.[citation needed]
In the United States, others pay into anescrow account in the name of theInternal Revenue Service, which the IRS can only access if they give an assurance that the money will only be used for peaceful purposes.[2] Some Yearly meetings in the US run escrow accounts for conscientious objectors, both within and outside the Society.
Many Friends engage in various non-governmental organizations such asChristian Peacemaker Teams serving in some of the most violent areas of the world. Quaker authorHoward Brinton, for example, served in the American Friends Service Committee during World War I.
George Fox, perhaps the most influential early Quaker, made a declaration in 1651 that many see as the first declaration of Friends' beliefs on peace:[3]
Following the 1660Restoration of King Charles II and a clamp-down on religious radical groups such as theFifth Monarchists,
A number of letters and statements were written this year, as much to remove any suspicion that Friends might have been involved in violent political activity as a desire to make their position clear. Margaret Fell wrote a letter to King Charles II that was co-signed "in unity" by a number of prominent Friends, including Fox:
The most well-known statement of this belief[5] was stated later that year in a declaration to KingCharles II of England in 1660 by George Fox and 11 others. This excerpt is commonly cited:
Some Quakers initially opposed this statement because it did not deny use of the sword to the magistrate or ruler of the state.[citation needed] It also contained no prohibition against paying taxes for purposes of war, something that would trouble Friends to the present.
Quakers have practised the testimony of peace by protesting against wars, refusing to serve in armed forces if drafted, seekingconscientious objector status when available, and even to participating in acts ofcivil disobedience. Not all Quakers embrace this testimony as an absolute; for example, there were Friends that fought inWorld War I andWorld War II. Some others were firmChristian pacifists. During extreme circumstances it has been difficult for some Quakers to engage in and uphold this testimony, yet Friends have almost universally been committed to the ideal of peace, even those who have felt the need to compromise on their testimony. Apart from the specific question of war, other ways in whichFriends have testified to peace have includedvegetarianism and a commitment torestorative justice.
The Religious Society of Friends was awarded theNobel Peace Prize in 1947. The Nobel Prize was awarded to Friends for Friends' work to relieve suffering and feed many millions of starving people during and after both world wars. The Nobel prize was accepted by theAmerican Friends Service Committee, along with the UK'sFriends Service Council on behalf of all Quakers.
The first paragraph of the Presentation Speech reads:
The Nobel Committee of the Norwegian Parliament has awarded this year's Peace Prize to the Quakers, represented by their two great relief organizations, the Friends Service Council in London and the American Friends Service Committee in Philadelphia.[8]
