War Is NOT the Answer!

I did not have to go far this past week until I began seeing, "War is not the answer" signs, stickers, t-shirts, social media posts, and even banners across highways popping up in protest of the current situation in Iran. Some Quakers have even mentioned that they still have their stickers on their cars since the Gulf War against Iraq in the early 1990’s.  

You may not know that “War is not the answer” is a central Quaker phrase which was popularized by the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL).  It stems from Martin Luther King Jr.’s seminal April 4, 1967, speech, "Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence." (I recommend you go back and listen to that speech.)  

Let me remind you, as Quakers, we believe war fails to resolve conflicts, creates immense suffering, and perpetuates violence. This stance is rooted in a our historic "Peace Testimony" that goes all the way back to 1660, which advocates for nonviolent, peaceful, and diplomatic solutions over military force. 

This phrase, "War is not the Answer", is also rooted in that Peace Testimony. It is founded on the belief that the “Spirit of Christ” will NEVER move someone to fight with outward weapons. Something that is a bit confusing when our administration is telling people that our President was “anointed by Christ” to attack Iran. The Christ I read of in the scriptures would never anoint or condone such atrocities. Christ is known as the Prince of Peace for a reason.  

When we Quakers say, "War is not the answer", it does not mean passivity, but active, nonviolent resistance to injustice. That is why we emphasize addressing the root causes of conflict through diplomacy, conflict resolution, and addressing structural violence. We are grateful to the Quaker organizations like Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) and American Friends Service Committee who help us prioritize dialogue and de-escalate conflicts, as well as, help us focus on the underlying issues like injustice and inequality that fuel conflict.

Now is the time for us to educate ourselves and lift our voices in saying “War is not the answer!” Take time this week as I have done, to write your representatives in congress (click this link for an easy way to make your voice count), speak truth to power in your local communities of influence, and challenge people who are blindly going along with this unjust war. 

Say it with me, “WAR IS NOT THE ANSWER!”