“Quakers, both as a faith body and as individuals, are known for our conscientious objection to military service and a refusal to engage in armed conflict.
Historically, many chose instead to serve through humanitarian and medical relief in times of war. As International Conscientious Objectors’ Day is celebrated on 15 May, we feel called to reflect on the situation in our own time
The two global conflicts of the 20th century are passing from living memory and experience. We now have professional armed forces in the UK and therefore do not face the difficulties which conscription presented to our forbears. The prison sentences and social ostracism to which many of them were subject are now behind us. But as wars are once again being fought in continental Europe and in many other countries, men and women around the world are still imprisoned or forced into exile for refusing to fight.
Believing that every human being is ‘precious, unique and a child of God’, Quakers will not surrender moral responsibility for their actions in regard to being required to kill. We invite all, whatever their faith, to stand in solidarity with those who have chosen conscience over conflict, wherever they may be.”
image courtesy of Paul Groom Photography Bristol at pexels
