It Isn’t Enough to Be Pacifists in Times of War
“Today, I invite us to think about [the] Quaker quality of pacifism or non-violence, which in theory is noble and virtuous, but in reality, is profoundly difficult, and perhaps even impossible, because it usually only works until someone we love is threatened. The problem with pacifism is that by the time we reach the point it’s most needed, it’s too late. The anger is too hot, too high, the threat of harm too great. The fire department has been summoned after the building has been consumed.
It was this realization that caused George Fox to write in 1651, that we must live ‘in the virtue of that life and power that takes away the occasion of all wars.’ This means it isn’t enough to be pacifists in times of war, we must dedicate ourselves to removing the causes of war. Being peaceful during war is being peaceful too late. It is summoning the fire department after the house is engulfed. What we should have done is hide the matches. In that regard, I want to remove from our Quaker vocabulary, the words pacifism and non-violence, which are too often exercised too late and too little, and replace them with what I will call consistent compassion.
Consistent compassion, giving equal weight to each word, so let’s take up the first word, consistent. I was reading an article recently about how not to raise a sociopath, and one factor in raising healthy, happy children is being consistent in your treatment of them. If one day I punish a child for being inappropriate, I can’t reward them the next day for doing the same thing. My inconsistency will hamper their ability to discern right from wrong. My treatment of them must be reliable, predictable, and steady. Not capricious, not erratic, not liable to change from one moment to the next.
Think how often injustice is related to inconsistency. Think how often there has been one set of rules for men and another for women. Think how often white people have escaped punishment for abusing the law and Black people haven’t. Think how often the wealthy and powerful were free to do what the poor and powerless could not. Inconsistency has too often been the cradle of injustice and sociopathic behavior. So to speak of consistent compassion is to affirm the importance of a reliable and steady love for others, regardless of their station in life, regardless of their status, regardless of their position or rank. We do not treat some with dignity, while denying it to others. This was, and remains, the basis for the Quaker rejection of titles and honorifics. We do not salute some and scorn others. We love with consistency so there is never a doubt about where our commitments lie. We extend to all people the same measure of dignity and love, so that we can speak with integrity about dignity and love.
Consistent compassion. Compassion. Sympathetic concern for the suffering of others. Every war, every hatred, every injustice was birthed by our indifference to human suffering, by our failure to imagine and acknowledge the hateful and hurtful consequences of our privilege. Our failure to live with compassion is the root of all war and the parent of all violence. We will not live in peace until we first live in compassion. Compassion must be our first motion, our initial instinct.”
— Philip Gulley, 2024
Quaker pastor, writer, and speaker
Reader Responses
How do you interpret the peace testimony?
What role does nonviolence play in your life?
These unsettling times have made me kinder, more compassionate and empathetic human. Forgiveness, radical acceptance, and choosing love above all else are kryptonite to the darkness and despair of the world. While my efforts may not change the world at large or affect the big picture, at least I know they're making a difference in my micro climate. I believe that any and all acts of peace, kindness, and compassion have a ripple effect. Let it be.
Seth F., Omaha, NE, USA
One may profess pacifism, but one only possesses pacifism after being tested. If nonviolence is not the catalyst for action, it may become an excuse for dong nothing. As Quakers, we can be too invested in avoiding conflict. Inaction itself condones violence.
We two are faithful as we are led — a sign in our yard, letters to elected leaders, donations to nonprofits, a sign in a demonstration — in working for peace and justice.
Benjamin & Julia H., Richmond, VA, USA
A long time ago I realized that I couldn't be an effective teacher if I used coercive methods. More recently I am drawn away from the idea of "protesting" because yelling and sign-waving feels similarly coercive to me — and ineffective. I think I am being called to create spaces in which people can share across differing perspectives.
I'm not sure what that means in concrete detail yet, but two aspects of it in my life right now are convening a Friday-morning worship group centered on silence and inviting conversation afterward, and producing a concert with many community musicians focused on what my Episcopalian sisters and brothers would call earth care. I wonder what others are feeling called to do.
Ellen S., Center Conway, NH, USA
Nonviolence plays a role in my life daily, every time I decide what to eat. By choosing a plant-based diet I'm breaking a cycle of violence that begins with violence directed at animals, and increases violence among people. Since slaughterhouse employment is associated with higher rates of child abuse and domestic violence, it's more consistent with the peace testimony to eat peacefully-produced food that doesn't require anyone to do violent, psychologically damaging work.
David P.-C., Cincinnati, OH, USA
Somehow I’ve learned how to listen to sounds like the sun going down…” as Robert Earl Keen wrote in one of my favorite songs.
I’ve learned to pause before responding, not yet well enough to always do that, but quite often, perhaps even more often than not.
That pause to listen and reflect often defuses the emotion that could lead to angry, violent words. Then there’s room for to respond kindness, compassion, reason and love.
Patricia S., Bon Air, VA, USA
This Week’s Messages
Take Away the Occasion of All Wars
Peace Does Not Come Through Passivity
How to Achieve Peace
War Will End when People Grow Better
We Bear our Testimony Against All Strife
Do Not Equate Conflict with Evil
Banner image: Todd Drake
Read the source of today’s quote
