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Letter to the Editor | American public should consider merits of pacifism in light of 9/11

Published: Monday, September 5, 2011

Updated: Tuesday, September 6, 2011 22:09

Ten years ago members of al-Qaeda used four passenger aircrafts as weapons to kill nearly 3,000 people on Sept. 11, 2001. The United States government's response was to answer violence with violence. In the ensuing wars, hundreds of thousands more people have been killed. New York Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) urges everyone to recognize this anniversary as an occasion to remember that there are always alternatives to violence and that there is a spirit in every human being which responds with gratitude to these alternatives.

The Religious Society of Friends has always upheld the way exemplified by Jesus, who taught us never to return evil for evil, but to love our enemies and pray for them, forgiving them every offense. We confess that we, being human, do not always fulfill this high standard. Nevertheless, we continually strive to discern the guidance of the living God who loves unconditionally and extends unlimited compassion, comfort, mercy, guidance, grace and revelation to all who ask.

We testify to the world that we disown all wars and fighting with outward weapons for any cause whatsoever. These are never necessary. There are no "just wars." Among the weapons we renounce are the tongue and the pen when they are used to provoke prejudice and hatred. Neither will we be silenced by fear when we are called to witness against evil masquerading as good. We seek to build a world in which a just peace is possible. We seek the strength to support and keep faith with those who suffer for nonviolent acts of conscience. We live by the gospel of God's love for all. Join us.

The Syracuse Friends Meeting (Quakers)

 

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5 comments

Bruce
Wed Sep 14 2011 14:36
If only those crazy Americans back around WWII had sat down with Adolph Hitler, tried to see things from his perspective, really practiced empathetic listening, all that unpleasantness could have been avoided.
CalifCuse
Wed Sep 7 2011 19:45
If we only be nice to them, they'll be nice to us... Yeah right!?!
TKPedersen
Wed Sep 7 2011 09:23
Four planes hijacked. On three of them, the passengers (not necessarily purposefully) acted as pacifists, doing as they were told and not engaging in violence. In one of them, the passengers rose up. In all four cases, all of the passengers died. But the actions of those in the 4th aircraft arguably saved lives that would have been lost if that plane had reached it's intended target.

How can you accept the lost lives that would have resulted from pacifism in that, and other historical, event? Or are your and other lives so inconsequential to you?

Your theory, like all academic activities, are attractive on paper but suffer in the light of practical life experience. While the reasons are many, the one most quickly coming to mind is your assumption and presumption that all others will define terms and their lives, including values, in the same manner you have adopted. Unfortunately, that hasn't turned out to be the case. And I don't expect a sudden universal epiphany.

Brian (2001 Alumnus)
Wed Sep 7 2011 08:20
Take your propaganda elsewhere! There will be no love or compassion for those who intentionally took the lives of innocent people, my brother included. I hope they all rot in hell!
Arafat
Tue Sep 6 2011 22:53
That's all well and good. Count me on board, and include me in on the no poverty, hunger, illiteracy, bad skin and male pattern baldness too. It's so darn easy to say I'm for all this stuff even though it's painfully stupid to say it.

It all begs the question: If Hitler were marching towards the Quaks and killing their women and children would they still extend their hands in friendship? If so then wouldn't that lead to a grand state of affairs!







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