Quakers and War
Some of the most courageous heroes on the battlefield are members of the “peace religions” – Quakers, Mennonites, Seventh Day Adventists, etc. who serve in harms way, unarmed, in order to support the armed combatants. Typically, they are medics or chaplains who minister to the physical and spiritual needs of those engaged in armed combat. The theology driving this belief is rooted in scripture, and like many aspects of the Word, can be interpreted in different ways. Emma Hulbert at the Friends Committee on National Legislation offers:
“True pacifism is not inaction; it is non-violent resistance to injustice. However, Quakers are not united on this issue, and there are no easy answers to be found. Each Friend must discern for themselves their relationship to the ethics of pacifism.”
Article at the link: https://www.fcnl.org/updates/2022-03/quaker-pacifism-context-war
