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{{Short description|Christian churches advocating pacifism}}
{{Distinguish|Churches of Peace}}
{{Distinguish|Churches of Peace}}
{{Anabaptist vertical}}
{{Anabaptist vertical}}
'''Peace churches''' are [[Christianity|Christian]] churches, groups or communities advocating [[Christian pacifism]] or Biblical nonresistance. The term '''historic peace churches''' refers specifically only to three church groups among pacifist churches:
'''Peace churches''' are [[Christianity|Christian]] churches, groups or communities advocating [[Christian pacifism]] or Biblical nonresistance. The term '''historic peace churches''' refers specifically only to three church groups among pacifist churches—[[Church of the Brethren]], including all daughter churches such as the [[Old German Baptist Brethren]], [[Old Brethren]], and [[Dunkard Brethren]] as well as [[Hutterian Brethren]], [[Old Order River Brethren]] and [[Bruderhof]]; [[Religious Society of Friends]] (Quakers); and [[Mennonites]], including the [[Amish]], [[Beachy Amish]], [[Old Order Mennonite]], and [[Conservative Mennonites]]. This phrase has been used since the first conference of the peace churches in Kansas in 1935.<ref>Concise Encyclopedia of Amish, Brethren, Hutterites, and Mennonites p6 Donald B. Kraybill – 2010 "In 1935, BRETHREN, Mennonites, and Quakers met in North Newton, Kansas, for a conference on peace. The term HISTORIC PEACE CHURCHES was developed at this conference in order to distinguish between the groups' biblically based peaceful ..."</ref><ref>The Brethren encyclopedia 1983 p608 "The American Civil War brought the peace churches together in combined appeals to government, both in the North and in the South ... This conference used the term historic peace churches as more acceptable to Mennonites than the term pacifist churches because the latter connoted theological liberalism. Called without prior agenda, the three-day meeting concluded with "</ref><ref>Mark Matthews ''Smoke jumping on the Western fire line: conscientious objectors'' p36 – 2006 "CHAPTER TWO The Historic Peace Churches – The three historic peace churches that united to lobby for reforming the treatment of conscientious objectors during World War II shared many religious beliefs, but they also differed in many "</ref><ref>Speicher, Sara and Durnbaugh, Donald F. (2003), Ecumenical Dictionary: [http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/who/dictionary-article8.html ''Historic Peace Churches'']</ref><ref>G. Kurt Piehler, Sidney Pash ''The United States and the Second World War: New Perspectives on'' 2010 p265 "The Selective Service, in collaboration with the historic peace churches, created Civilian Public Service to provide ... In October 1940, to coordinate administration of the CPS camps, the historic peace churches established the NSBRO. "</ref>
* [[Church of the Brethren]], including all daughter churches such as the [[Old German Baptist Brethren]], [[Old Brethren]] and [[Dunkard Brethren]];
* [[Religious Society of Friends]] (Quakers); and
* [[Mennonites]], including the [[Amish]], [[Beachy Amish]], [[Old Order Mennonite]]s, and [[Conservative Mennonites]]


In addition to the Schwarzenau Brethren and Mennonites, other Anabaptist Christian fellowships, such as the [[Hutterian Brethren]], [[River Brethren]], [[Apostolic Christian Church]] and [[Bruderhof]] teach pacifism as well.<ref name="Jones1974">{{cite book |last1=Jones |first1=Charles Edwin |title=A Guide to the Study of The Holiness Movement |date=1974 |page=213-314 |language=English}}</ref><ref name="Bruderhof2022">{{cite web |title=The Way of Peace |url=https://www.bruderhof.com/en/our-faith/foundations/our-calling/the-way-of-peace |publisher=[[Bruderhof]] |access-date=17 June 2022 |language=English}}</ref>
The definition of "peace churches" is sometimes expanded to include [[Christadelphians]] (from 1863) and others who did not participate in the conference of the "historic peace churches" in Kansas in 1935.<ref>Law review digest 1957 "Among the peace churches may be listed the Mennonite, Brethren, Friends, Christadelphians and Molakans. Other sects having a degree of pacifism in their doctrines include the Seventh Day Adventists, Assemblies of God and Churches of Christ. A more complex situation arises in connection with those registrants who do not base their nonresistant claims on church membership. "</ref>


This phrase has been used since the first conference of the peace churches in Kansas in 1935.<ref name="Concise">Concise Encyclopedia of Amish, Brethren, Hutterites, and Mennonites p6 Donald B. Kraybill – 2010 "In 1935, BRETHREN, Mennonites, and Quakers met in North Newton, Kansas, for a conference on peace. The term HISTORIC PEACE CHURCHES was developed at this conference in order to distinguish between the groups' biblically based peaceful ..."</ref><ref>The Brethren encyclopedia 1983 p608 "The American Civil War brought the peace churches together in combined appeals to government, both in the North and in the South ... This conference used the term historic peace churches as more acceptable to Mennonites than the term pacifist churches because the latter connoted theological liberalism. Called without prior agenda, the three-day meeting concluded with "</ref><ref>Mark Matthews ''Smoke jumping on the Western fire line: conscientious objectors'' p36 – 2006 "CHAPTER TWO The Historic Peace Churches – The three historic peace churches that united to lobby for reforming the treatment of conscientious objectors during World War II shared many religious beliefs, but they also differed in many "</ref><ref>Speicher, Sara and Durnbaugh, Donald F. (2003), Ecumenical Dictionary: [http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/who/dictionary-article8.html ''Historic Peace Churches'']</ref><ref>G. Kurt Piehler, Sidney Pash ''The United States and the Second World War: New Perspectives on'' 2010 p265 "The Selective Service, in collaboration with the historic peace churches, created Civilian Public Service to provide ... In October 1940, to coordinate administration of the CPS camps, the historic peace churches established the NSBRO. "</ref>
The peace churches agree that [[Jesus]] advocated [[nonviolence]]. In the Gospels Jesus explicitly taught His followers not to kill, but rather to Love, bless, and pray for those who make themselves to be your enemy. He taught that if struck we should not physically strike back, but rather turn the other cheek. He told Peter to put away his sword. He explained that His Kingdom is spiritual, not earthly; therefore members of the Kingdom of God will live by spiritual principles, primarily Love. He told Pilate that His Kingdom is not earthly, therefore His followers do not use earthly weapons to fight. The weapons of our warfare are to be Love and Prayer. The Epistles and the Early Church continued this teaching, instructing that we should be willing to suffer as Jesus did rather than do evil to anyone. In the Plain Peace Churches today, no one in the military is accepted as a member, due to their divided loyalties. Stepping in between those who are being attacked and their attacker has been a long-practiced principle. Some believers have given themselves to serve a sentence of punishment, banishment, or death to deliver those who are weaker or younger. Jesus' suffering love and unwillingness to use force on others is their example in all things.


The definition of "peace churches" is sometimes expanded to include [[Christadelphians]] (from 1863) and others who did not participate in the conference of the "historic peace churches" in Kansas in 1935.<ref>Law review digest 1957 "Among the peace churches may be listed the Mennonite, Brethren, Friends, Christadelphians and Molakans. Other sects having a degree of pacifism in their doctrines include the Seventh Day Adventists, Assemblies of God and Churches of Christ. A more complex situation arises in connection with those registrants who do not base their nonresistant claims on church membership. "</ref>
Whether physical force can ever be justified, either in [[self-defense|defending oneself]] is controversial. Most believers adhere strictly to a moral attitude of [[nonresistance]] in the face of violence. These churches generally concur that violence on behalf of nations and their governments is contrary to [[Christian morality]], but agree that the teachings of Jesus were to explain the principles of the Kingdom of God rather than and contrasted with the ways of any earthly government.

The peace churches agree that [[Jesus]] advocated [[nonviolence]]. Whether physical force can ever be justified in [[self-defense|defending oneself]] is controversial. Most believers adhere strictly to a moral attitude of [[nonresistance]] in the face of violence. These churches generally concur that violence on behalf of nations and their governments is contrary to [[Christian morality]], but agree that the teachings of Jesus were to explain the principles of the Kingdom of God rather than and contrasted with the ways of any earthly government.


==History==
==History==
[[File:The Deserter.jpg|alt=|thumb|''The Deserter'' (1916) by [[Boardman Robinson]].]]
[[File:The Deserter.jpg|alt=|thumb|''The Deserter'' (1916) by [[Boardman Robinson]]]]
[[File:Blessed are the Peacemakers.gif|thumb|right|''[[Blessed are the peacemakers|Blessed are the Peacemakers]]'' (1917) by [[George Bellows]]]]
[[File:Blessed are the Peacemakers.gif|thumb|right|''[[Blessed are the peacemakers|Blessed are the Peacemakers]]'' (1917) by [[George Bellows]]]]
Among all Christian denominations, there have always been groups of members who advocate nonviolence, but certain churches have consistently supported it since their foundation. Besides the three historic peace churches, they include the [[Amish]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.religioustolerance.org/amish3.htm |title=The Amish: Massacre at the Amish school in Nickel Mines, PA |publisher=Religioustolerance.org |access-date=2010-05-02}}</ref> [[Old Order Mennonites]], [[Conservative Mennonites]], [[Hutterites]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hutterites.org/religion.htm |title=Religion |publisher=Hutterites.org |access-date=2010-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100511031317/http://www.hutterites.org/religion.htm |archive-date=2010-05-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Old German Baptist Brethren]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.anabaptistchurch.org/anabaptists_today.htm |title=Anabaptists Today |publisher=Anabaptistchurch.org |date=2007-06-20 |access-date=2010-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100513044647/http://www.anabaptistchurch.org/anabaptists_today.htm |archive-date=2010-05-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Old Order River Brethren]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/riverbrethren/ |title=Old Order River Brethren |publisher=Geocities.com |access-date=2010-05-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027000245/http://geocities.com/riverbrethren/|archive-date=2009-10-27}}</ref> the [[Brethren in Christ]],<ref>{{cite book|last = Wittlinger| first = Carlton| title = Quest for Piety and Obedience: The Story of the Brethren in Christ| publisher = Evangel Press| year = 1978| isbn =0-916035-05-0}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.bic-church.org/about/issues/english/christians&war.pdf|title= Christians & War|access-date= 2009-06-28|publisher = The Brethren in Christ}}</ref> and others in the [[Anabaptist]] tradition; [[Doukhobors]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.doukhobor.org/Anastasia.htm |title=Pacifism and Anastasia's Doukhobor Village |publisher=Doukhobor.org |access-date=2010-05-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091214064741/http://www.doukhobor.org/Anastasia.htm |archive-date=2009-12-14 }}</ref> [[Molokan]]s,<ref name="Moroi2008">{{cite book|last=Moroi|first=Yuichi|title=Ethics of Conviction and Civic Responsibility: Conscientious War Resisters in America During the World Wars|year=2008|publisher=University Press of America|language=en|isbn=9780761840794|page=54}}</ref> [[Dunkard Brethren]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dunkardbrethrenchurch.com/sections/beliefs |title=Dunkard Brethren Church |publisher=Dunkard Brethren Church |access-date=2010-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100728075127/http://www.dunkardbrethrenchurch.com/sections/beliefs |archive-date=2010-07-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite book| last = Durnbaugh| first = Donald| title = Fruit of the Vine: A History of the Brethren| publisher = Brethren Press| year = 1997| isbn = 0-87178-003-8| url-access = registration| url = https://archive.org/details/fruitofvinehis00durn}}</ref> ''Dukh-i-zhizniki'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.molokane.org/taxonomy/index.htm |title=Taxonomy of 3 Spiritual Christian groups: Molokane, Pryguny and Dukh-i-zhizniki — books, fellowship, holidays, prophets and songs |publisher=Conovaloff, Andrei|access-date=2016-10-16}}</ref> [[Bruderhof Communities]], [[Schwenkfelder Church|Schwenkfelders]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.horseshoe.cc/pennadutch/religion/brethern/brethkle.htm |archive-url=https://archive.is/20120802201356/http://www.horseshoe.cc/pennadutch/religion/brethern/brethkle.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-08-02 |title=Brethern, Schwenkfelders and Other Plain People |publisher=Horseshoe.cc |access-date=2010-05-02 }}</ref> [[Moravian Church|Moravians]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.moravianpeacebuilders.org/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=2008-09-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202111940/http://www.moravianpeacebuilders.org/ |archive-date=2008-12-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref> the [[Shakers]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/shaker/shakers.htm |title=Essay on Shaker History – Shaker Historic Trail – National Register of Historic Places |publisher=Nps.gov |access-date=2010-05-02}}</ref> and even some groups within the [[Pentecostal]] movement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcpf.org/index.php |title=PCPJ – Pentecostals & Charismatics for Peace & Justice |publisher=Pcpf.org |access-date=2010-05-02}}</ref> The largest Pentecostal church, the [[Assemblies of God]], abandoned pacifism around the time of the [[Second World War]].<ref>{{cite book|last = Alexander| first = Paul| title = Peace to War: Shifting Allegiances in the Assemblies of God | publisher = Cascadia Publishing House| year = 2009| isbn =1-931038-58-9}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.quaker.org/quest/issue-12-alexander-1.htm |title=issue-12-alexander-1 |publisher=Quaker.org |access-date=2010-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100706163921/http://www.quaker.org/quest/issue-12-alexander-1.htm |archive-date=2010-07-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref> These groups have disagreed, both internally and with each other, about the propriety of [[non-combatant]] military roles, such as unarmed medical personnel, or performing non-battlefield services that assist nations in wartime, such as manufacturing munitions. One position might argue that Jesus would never object to helping people who are suffering, while another might object that doing so contributes indirectly to violence by freeing other people to engage in it. Most peace churches support Alternative service options such as service to refugees or in hospitals, as long as they are not associated with the military.
Among all Christian denominations, there have always been groups of members who advocate nonviolence, but certain churches have consistently supported it since their foundation. Besides the three historic peace churches, they include the [[Amish]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.religioustolerance.org/amish3.htm |title=The Amish: Massacre at the Amish school in Nickel Mines, PA |publisher=Religioustolerance.org |access-date=2010-05-02}}</ref> [[Old Order Mennonites]], [[Conservative Mennonites]], [[Church of God in Christ, Mennonite|Holdeman Mennonites]], [[Hutterites]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hutterites.org/religion.htm |title=Religion |publisher=Hutterites.org |access-date=2010-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100511031317/http://www.hutterites.org/religion.htm |archive-date=2010-05-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Old German Baptist Brethren]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.anabaptistchurch.org/anabaptists_today.htm |title=Anabaptists Today |publisher=Anabaptistchurch.org |date=2007-06-20 |access-date=2010-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100513044647/http://www.anabaptistchurch.org/anabaptists_today.htm |archive-date=2010-05-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Old Order River Brethren]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/riverbrethren/ |title=Old Order River Brethren |publisher=Geocities.com |access-date=2010-05-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027000245/http://geocities.com/riverbrethren/|archive-date=2009-10-27}}</ref> the [[Brethren in Christ]],<ref name="Thomas2014">{{cite web |last1=Thomas |first1=Devin |title=Brethren in Christ Weren't the Only "Holiness Pacifists" in the Early 20th Century |url=https://bic-history.org/brethren-in-christ-werent-the-only-holiness-pacifists-in-the-early-20th-century/ |publisher=[[Brethren in Christ]] |access-date=24 July 2019 |date=18 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last = Wittlinger| first = Carlton| title = Quest for Piety and Obedience: The Story of the Brethren in Christ| publisher = Evangel Press| year = 1978| isbn =0-916035-05-0}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.bic-church.org/about/issues/english/christians&war.pdf|title= Christians & War|access-date= 2009-06-28|publisher = The Brethren in Christ}}</ref> and others in the [[Anabaptist]] tradition; [[Doukhobors]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.doukhobor.org/Anastasia.htm |title=Pacifism and Anastasia's Doukhobor Village |publisher=Doukhobor.org |access-date=2010-05-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091214064741/http://www.doukhobor.org/Anastasia.htm |archive-date=2009-12-14 }}</ref> [[Molokan]]s,<ref name="Moroi2008">{{cite book|last=Moroi|first=Yuichi|title=Ethics of Conviction and Civic Responsibility: Conscientious War Resisters in America During the World Wars|year=2008|publisher=University Press of America|language=en|isbn=9780761840794|page=54}}</ref> [[Dunkard Brethren]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dunkardbrethrenchurch.com/sections/beliefs |title=Dunkard Brethren Church |publisher=Dunkard Brethren Church |access-date=2010-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100728075127/http://www.dunkardbrethrenchurch.com/sections/beliefs |archive-date=2010-07-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite book| last = Durnbaugh| first = Donald| title = Fruit of the Vine: A History of the Brethren| publisher = Brethren Press| year = 1997| isbn = 0-87178-003-8| url-access = registration| url = https://archive.org/details/fruitofvinehis00durn}}</ref> ''Dukh-i-zhizniki'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.molokane.org/taxonomy/index.htm |title=Taxonomy of 3 Spiritual Christian groups: Molokane, Pryguny and Dukh-i-zhizniki — books, fellowship, holidays, prophets and songs |publisher=Conovaloff, Andrei|access-date=2016-10-16}}</ref> [[Bruderhof Communities]], [[Schwenkfelder Church|Schwenkfelders]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.horseshoe.cc/pennadutch/religion/brethern/brethkle.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120802201356/http://www.horseshoe.cc/pennadutch/religion/brethern/brethkle.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-08-02 |title=Brethern, Schwenkfelders and Other Plain People |publisher=Horseshoe.cc |access-date=2010-05-02 }}</ref> [[Moravian Church|Moravians]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.moravianpeacebuilders.org/ |title=Moravian Peacebuilders |access-date=2008-09-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202111940/http://www.moravianpeacebuilders.org/ |archive-date=2008-12-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref> the [[Shakers]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/shaker/shakers.htm |title=Essay on Shaker History – Shaker Historic Trail – National Register of Historic Places |publisher=Nps.gov |access-date=2010-05-02}}</ref> and even some groups within the [[Pentecostal]] movement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcpf.org/index.php |title=PCPJ – Pentecostals & Charismatics for Peace & Justice |publisher=Pcpf.org |access-date=2010-05-02}}</ref> The largest [[Finished Work Pentecostal]] denomination, the [[Assemblies of God]], abandoned pacifism around the time of the [[Second World War]].<ref>{{cite book|last = Alexander| first = Paul| title = Peace to War: Shifting Allegiances in the Assemblies of God | publisher = Cascadia Publishing House| year = 2009| isbn =978-1-931038-58-4}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.quaker.org/quest/issue-12-alexander-1.htm |title=issue-12-alexander-1 |publisher=Quaker.org |access-date=2010-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100706163921/http://www.quaker.org/quest/issue-12-alexander-1.htm |archive-date=2010-07-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref> These groups have disagreed, both internally and with each other, about the propriety of [[non-combatant]] military roles, such as unarmed medical personnel, or performing non-battlefield services that assist nations in wartime, such as manufacturing munitions. One position might argue that Jesus would never object to helping people who are suffering, while another might object that doing so contributes indirectly to violence by freeing other people to engage in it. Most peace churches support alternative service options such as service to refugees or in hospitals, as long as they are not associated with the military.

In America the first conference of historic peace churches was held in 1935 in Kansas.<ref name="Concise"/> Five years later in Canada, the Conference of Historic Peace Churches was formed in Ontario in 1940, headed by [[Harold Sherk]] to represent Mennonite, Brethren, and Quaker churches as they sought exemption from military service.<ref name="BiographicalDictionary1985">{{Cite book|title=Biographical Dictionary of Modern Peace Leaders|last=Josephson|first=Harold|publisher=Greenwood|year=1985|isbn=0-313-22565-6|location=Connecticut|pages=878–9}}</ref>


At one time, active membership in and acceptance of the beliefs of one of the peace churches was required for obtaining [[conscientious objector]] status in the United States, and hence exemption from military [[conscription]], or for those already in the military, [[honorable discharge]]. But after a series of court rulings, this requirement was dropped. In the United States, one may now claim conscientious objector status based on a personal belief system that need not be Christian, nor even based on religion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sss.gov/FSconsobj.htm |title=Selective Service System: Fast Facts |publisher=Sss.gov |access-date=2010-05-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090507211133/http://www.sss.gov/FSconsobj.htm |archive-date=2009-05-07 }}</ref>
At one time, active membership in and acceptance of the beliefs of one of the peace churches was required for obtaining [[conscientious objector]] status in the United States, and hence exemption from military [[conscription]], or for those already in the military, [[honorable discharge]]. But after a series of court rulings, this requirement was dropped. In the United States, one may now claim conscientious objector status based on a personal belief system that need not be Christian, nor even based on religion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sss.gov/FSconsobj.htm |title=Selective Service System: Fast Facts |publisher=Sss.gov |access-date=2010-05-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090507211133/http://www.sss.gov/FSconsobj.htm |archive-date=2009-05-07 }}</ref>
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Peace churches, especially those with sufficient financial and organizational resources, have attempted to heal the ravages of war without favoritism. This has often aroused controversy, as when the Quakers sent large shipments of food and medicine to [[North Vietnam]] during the [[Vietnam War]], and to U.S.-[[embargo]]ed [[Cuba]]. The [[American Friends Service Committee]] and the [[Mennonite Central Committee]] are two charitable denominational agencies set up to provide such healing.
Peace churches, especially those with sufficient financial and organizational resources, have attempted to heal the ravages of war without favoritism. This has often aroused controversy, as when the Quakers sent large shipments of food and medicine to [[North Vietnam]] during the [[Vietnam War]], and to U.S.-[[embargo]]ed [[Cuba]]. The [[American Friends Service Committee]] and the [[Mennonite Central Committee]] are two charitable denominational agencies set up to provide such healing.


In the 1980s, the Quakers, Brethren, and Mennonites came together to create [[Christian Peacemaker Teams]], an international organization that works to reduce violence and systematic [[injustice]] in regions of conflict.<ref>{{cite speech|url=http://www.cpt.org/about_cpt |title=About CPT &#124; Christian Peacemaker Teams |publisher=Cpt.org |access-date=2010-05-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cpt.org/about/history |title=History &#124; Christian Peacemaker Teams |publisher=Cpt.org |access-date=2010-05-02}}</ref> This was motivated by the desire for Christians to take peacemaking as seriously as soldiers and governments take war-making.<ref name="sider">{{cite web|last1=Sider|first1=Ron|title=God's People Reconciling|url=http://www.cpt.org/resources/writings/sider|website=Christian Peacemaker Teams|event=Mennonite World Conference|access-date=28 June 2016|location=Strasbourg, France|date=1984|quote=What would happen if the Christian church stationed as many praying Christians as the U.S. government has sent armed guerrillas across that troubled border? ... Do we not have as much courage and faith as soldiers?}}</ref>
In the 1980s, the Quakers, Brethren, and Mennonites came together to create [[Christian Peacemaker Teams]], an international organization that works to reduce violence and systematic [[injustice]] in regions of conflict.<ref>{{cite speech|url=http://www.cpt.org/about_cpt |title=About CPT &#124; Christian Peacemaker Teams |publisher=Cpt.org |access-date=2010-05-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cpt.org/about/history |title=History &#124; Christian Peacemaker Teams |publisher=Cpt.org |access-date=2010-05-02}}</ref> This was motivated by the desire for Christians to take peacemaking as seriously as soldiers and governments take war-making.<ref name="sider">{{cite conference |last1=Sider |first1=Ron |title=God's People Reconciling |url=http://www.cpt.org/resources/writings/sider|website=Christian Peacemaker Teams |conference=Mennonite World Conference|access-date=28 June 2016|location=Strasbourg, France |date=1984 |quote=What would happen if the Christian church stationed as many praying Christians as the U.S. government has sent armed guerrillas across that troubled border? ... Do we not have as much courage and faith as soldiers?}}</ref>


== Other Christian pacifist groups ==
== Other Christian pacifist groups ==
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===Doukhobors===
===Doukhobors===
The [[Doukhobors]] are a [[Spiritual Christian]] denomination that advocate pacifism.<ref name="Guides2016">{{cite book|title=The Rough Guide to Canada|date=1 June 2016|publisher=Apa Publications|language=en|isbn=9780241279526|page=957|quote=The Doukhobors were a sect who fled southern Russian in 1899 after being persecuted for their religious and political views. Fiercely pacifist, they rejected secular government and ignored the liturgy and procedures of the organized church, believing God resided in each individual rather than in a building or institution.}}</ref> On 29 June 1895, the Doukhobors, in what is known as the "Burning of the Arms", "piled up their swords, guns, and other weapons and burned them in large bonfires while they sang psalms".<ref name="Rak2005">{{cite book|last=Rak|first=Julie|title=Negotiated Memory: Doukhobor Autobiographical Discourse|date=2005|publisher=UBC Press|language=en |isbn=9780774810319|page=37}}</ref>
The [[Doukhobors]] are a [[Spiritual Christian]] denomination that advocate pacifism.<ref name="Guides2016">{{cite book|title=The Rough Guide to Canada|date=1 June 2016|publisher=Apa Publications|language=en|isbn=9780241279526|page=957|quote=The Doukhobors were a sect who fled southern Russian in 1899 after being persecuted for their religious and political views. Fiercely pacifist, they rejected secular government and ignored the liturgy and procedures of the organized church, believing God resided in each individual rather than in a building or institution.}}</ref> On 29 June 1895, the Doukhobors, in what is known as the "Burning of the Arms",<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tarasoff |first1=Koozma J. |last2=Conovaloff |first2=Andrei |title=Historic 1895 Burning of Guns : descriptions, selections and translations |url=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZEzkBQc9V8k9833S-djSse_1Lmvv09MCw1xgAetb2EM |website=Spirit-Wrestlers.com |date=June 24, 2009 |access-date=October 31, 2021}}</ref> "piled up their swords, guns, and other weapons and burned them in large bonfires while they sang psalms".<ref name="Rak2005">{{cite book|last=Rak|first=Julie|title=Negotiated Memory: Doukhobor Autobiographical Discourse|date=2005|publisher=UBC Press|language=en |isbn=9780774810319|page=37}}</ref>


===Holiness Pacifists===
===Holiness Pacifists===
The [[Emmanuel Association]], the [[Brethren in Christ]] and [[Christ's Sanctified Holy Church]] are denominations in the [[holiness movement]] known for their opposition to war today; they are known as "Holiness Pacifists".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lewis |first1=James R. |title=The Encyclopedia of Cults, Sects, and New Religions |date=2001 |publisher=Prometheus Books |isbn=9781615927388}}</ref><ref name="Thomas2014">{{cite web |last1=Thomas |first1=Devin |title=Brethren in Christ Weren’t the Only "Holiness Pacifists" in the Early 20th Century |url=https://bic-history.org/brethren-in-christ-werent-the-only-holiness-pacifists-in-the-early-20th-century/ |publisher=[[Brethren in Christ]] |access-date=24 July 2019 |date=18 June 2014}}</ref><ref name="BeamanPipkin2013"/> The Emmanuel Association, for example, teaches:<ref name="BeamanPipkin2013">{{cite book |last1=Beaman |first1=Jay |last2=Pipkin |first2=Brian K. |title=Pentecostal and Holiness Statements on War and Peace |date=2013 |publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers |isbn=9781610979085 |pages=73–74, 98–99, 124|language=en}}</ref>
The [[Emmanuel Association]], [[Reformed Free Methodist Church]], [[Immanuel Missionary Church]], [[Church of God (Guthrie, Oklahoma)]], First Bible Holiness Church and [[Christ's Sanctified Holy Church]] are denominations in the [[holiness movement]] known for their opposition to war today; they are known as "Holiness Pacifists".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lewis |first1=James R. |title=The Encyclopedia of Cults, Sects, and New Religions |date=2001 |publisher=Prometheus Books |isbn=9781615927388}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Manual: First Bible Holiness Church |date=1956 |publisher=First Bible Holiness Church |location=[[Muncie, Indiana|Muncie]] |page=4}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Discipline of the Reformed Free Methodist Church |date=17 March 1960 |publisher=The Sound of Trumpet Ministries |page=14 |language=English}}</ref><ref name="Emmanuel2002">{{cite book |title=Guidebook of the Emmanuel Association of Churches |date=2002 |publisher=[[Emmanuel Association]] |location=[[Logansport, Indiana|Logansport]] |page=15-17 |language=English}}</ref><ref name="Alexander2011">{{cite book |last1=Alexander |first1=Estrelda Y. |title=Black Fire: One Hundred Years of African American Pentecostalism |date=3 May 2011 |publisher=InterVarsity Press |isbn=978-0-8308-2586-8 |page=82 |language=English}}</ref><ref name="BeamanPipkin2013"/> The Emmanuel Association, for example, teaches:<ref name="BeamanPipkin2013">{{cite book |last1=Beaman |first1=Jay |last2=Pipkin |first2=Brian K. |title=Pentecostal and Holiness Statements on War and Peace |date=2013 |publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers |isbn=9781610979085 |pages=73–74, 98–99, 124|language=en}}</ref>
{{quotation|We feel bound explicitly to avow our unshaken persuasion that War is utterly incompatible with the plain precepts of our divine Lord and Law-giver, and with the whole spirit of the Gospel; and that no plea of necessity or policy, however urgent or peculiar, can avail to release either individuals or nations for the paramount allegiance which they owe to Him who hath said, "Love your enemies." Therefore, we cannot participate in war (Rom. 12:19), war activities, or compulsory training.<ref name="BeamanPipkin2013"/>}}
{{quotation|We feel bound explicitly to avow our unshaken persuasion that War is utterly incompatible with the plain precepts of our divine Lord and Law-giver, and with the whole spirit of the Gospel; and that no plea of necessity or policy, however urgent or peculiar, can avail to release either individuals or nations for the paramount allegiance which they owe to Him who hath said, "Love your enemies." Therefore, we cannot participate in war (Rom. 12:19), war activities, or compulsory training.<ref name="BeamanPipkin2013"/>}}


===Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1867===
===Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1867===
Adventists had sought and obtained exemption as conscientious objectors in 1864, and the [[Seventh-day Adventist Church]] from 1914 has a long history of [[Non-combatant|noncombatancy]] service within and outside the military.<ref>''Historical dictionary of Seventh-Day Adventists'' Gary Land</ref> In practice today, as a pastor from the Seventh-Day Adventist church comments in an online magazine run by members of the Seventh-Day Adventist church: "Today in a volunteer army a lot of Adventist young men and women join the military in combat positions, and there are many Adventist pastors electing for military chaplaincy positions, supporting combatants and non-combatants alike. On Veteran’s Day, American churches across the country take time to give honor and respect to those who “served their country,” without any attempt to differentiate how they served, whether as bomber pilots, Navy Seals, or Operation Whitecoat guinea pigs. I have yet to see a service honoring those who ran away to Canada to avoid participation in the senseless carnage of Vietnam in their Biblical pacifism." <ref>{{cite web|url=https://atoday.org/adventist-tomorrow-militant-pacifism|title=Adventist Tomorrow: Militant Pacifism|access-date=November 12, 2019}}</ref>
Adventists had sought and obtained exemption as conscientious objectors in 1864, and the [[Seventh-day Adventist Church]] from 1914 has a long history of [[Non-combatant|noncombatancy]] service within and outside the military.<ref>''Historical Dictionary of Seventh-day Adventists'' Gary Land</ref> In practice today, as a pastor from the Seventh-day Adventist church comments in an online magazine run by members of the Seventh-Day Adventist church: "Today in a volunteer army a lot of Adventist young men and women join the military in combat positions, and there are many Adventist pastors electing for military chaplaincy positions, supporting combatants and non-combatants alike. On Veteran’s Day, American churches across the country take time to give honor and respect to those who “served their country,” without any attempt to differentiate how they served, whether as bomber pilots, Navy Seals, or [[Operation Whitecoat]] guinea pigs. I have yet to see a service honoring those who ran away to Canada to avoid participation in the senseless carnage of Vietnam in their Biblical pacifism."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://atoday.org/adventist-tomorrow-militant-pacifism|title=Adventist Tomorrow: Militant Pacifism|date=25 May 2018|access-date=November 12, 2019}}</ref>


===Churches of God (7th day)===
===Churches of God (7th day)===
The different groups evolving under the name [[Church of God (7th day)]] stand opposed to carnal warfare, based on Matthew 26:52; Revelation 13:10; Romans 12:19–21. They believe the weapons of their warfare to not be carnal but spiritual (II Corinthians 10:3–5; Ephesians 6:11–18).<ref>[http://www.churchofgod-7thday.org/Publications/Doctrinal%20Points%20Final%20Proof.pdf Doctrinal Points of the Church of God (7th Day)]</ref><ref>http://www.cog7day.org/about/index.asp?pgID=11</ref>
The different groups evolving under the name [[Church of God (7th day)]] stand opposed to carnal warfare, based on Matthew 26:52; Revelation 13:10; Romans 12:19–21. They believe the weapons of their warfare to not be carnal but spiritual (II Corinthians 10:3–5; Ephesians 6:11–18).<ref>[http://www.churchofgod-7thday.org/Publications/Doctrinal%20Points%20Final%20Proof.pdf Doctrinal Points of the Church of God (7th Day)]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cog7day.org/about/index.asp?pgID=11|title = Church of God 7th Day}}</ref>


===Molokans===
===Molokans===
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===Community of Christ===
===Community of Christ===
Although non-credal and not explicitly pacifist, the [[Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints|Community of Christ]] (formerly known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) is emerging as an international peace church through such ministries as the [[Community of Christ International Peace Award]], the [[Daily Prayer for Peace]], and resources to support conscientious objection to war.<ref>{{cite web |author=Communication Services of Community of Christ, Independence Mo. |url=http://www.cofchrist.org/peaceaward/honorroll.asp |title=Community of Christ International Peace Award Honor Roll |publisher=Cofchrist.org |access-date=2010-05-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.is/20120904124131/http://www.cofchrist.org/peaceaward/honorroll.asp |archive-date=2012-09-04 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Communication Services of Community of Christ, Independence Mo. |url=http://www.cofchrist.org/peaceaward/nominate.asp |title=Community of Christ International Peace Award Nominations |publisher=Cofchrist.org |access-date=2010-05-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.is/20120723214824/http://www.cofchrist.org/peaceaward/nominate.asp |archive-date=2012-07-23 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cofchrist.org/peace/statements/consc-object.asp |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-06-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722124828/http://www.cofchrist.org/peace/statements/consc-object.asp |archive-date=2014-07-22 |url-status=dead }}</ref> However, in the United States and worldwide, many church members are active in military service and the church provides active duty chaplaincy for outreach and ministry to military personnel.
Although non-credal and not explicitly pacifist, the [[Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints|Community of Christ]] (formerly known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) is emerging as an international peace church through such ministries as the [[Community of Christ International Peace Award]], the [[Daily Prayer for Peace]], and resources to support conscientious objection to war.<ref>{{cite web |author=Communication Services of Community of Christ, Independence Mo. |url=http://www.cofchrist.org/peaceaward/honorroll.asp |title=Community of Christ International Peace Award Honor Roll |publisher=Cofchrist.org |access-date=2010-05-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904124131/http://www.cofchrist.org/peaceaward/honorroll.asp |archive-date=2012-09-04 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Communication Services of Community of Christ, Independence Mo. |url=http://www.cofchrist.org/peaceaward/nominate.asp |title=Community of Christ International Peace Award Nominations |publisher=Cofchrist.org |access-date=2010-05-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723214824/http://www.cofchrist.org/peaceaward/nominate.asp |archive-date=2012-07-23 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cofchrist.org/peace/statements/consc-object.asp |title=Peace and justice events, issues, action |access-date=2010-06-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722124828/http://www.cofchrist.org/peace/statements/consc-object.asp |archive-date=2014-07-22 |url-status=dead }}</ref> However, in the United States and worldwide, many church members are active in military service and the church provides active duty chaplaincy for outreach and ministry to military personnel.


===Churches of Christ===
===Churches of Christ===
Once containing a relatively large nonviolence faction, [[Churches of Christ]] are now more conflicted. Contemporary [[Churches of Christ]], especially those that hold with the teachings of [[David Lipscomb]], tend toward pacifist views.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/dlipscomb/civgov.html |title=Civil Government |publisher=Mun.ca |access-date=2010-05-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410082703/http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/dlipscomb/civgov.html |archive-date=April 10, 2009 }}</ref> This means that they believe that the use of coercion and/or force may be acceptable for purposes of personal self-defense but that resorting to warfare is not an option open to Christians.
Once containing a relatively large nonviolence faction, [[Churches of Christ]] are now more conflicted. Contemporary Churches of Christ, especially those that hold with the teachings of [[David Lipscomb]], tend toward pacifist views.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/dlipscomb/civgov.html |title=Civil Government |publisher=Mun.ca |access-date=2010-05-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410082703/http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/dlipscomb/civgov.html |archive-date=April 10, 2009 }}</ref> This means that they believe that the use of coercion and/or force may be acceptable for purposes of personal self-defense but that resorting to warfare is not an option open to Christians.


===Fellowship of Reconciliation===
===Fellowship of Reconciliation===
Line 64: Line 72:
*[[Christian pacifism]]
*[[Christian pacifism]]
*[[Christianity and violence]]
*[[Christianity and violence]]
*[[Churches of Peace]], three buildings built by and for [[Lutherans]] in [[Silesia]] after granted permission from [[Habsburg monarchy|Austrian Habsburgs]]
*[[Civilian-based defense]]
*[[Civilian-based defense]]
*[[Civilian Public Service]]
*[[Civilian Public Service]]
Line 81: Line 90:
*[[Plain people]]
*[[Plain people]]
*[[Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Act]]
*[[Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Act]]
*[[Seagoing cowboys]]
*[[Southern Christian Leadership Conference|Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)]]
*[[Southern Christian Leadership Conference|Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)]]
*[[Testimony of peace]]
*[[Leo Tolstoy]]
*[[Leo Tolstoy]]
*[[John Howard Yoder]]
*[[John Howard Yoder]]
*[[Seagoing cowboys]]
*[[Churches of Peace]], three buildings built by and for [[Lutherans]] in [[Silesia]] after granted permission from [[Austrian Habsburgs]]
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


Line 99: Line 108:
*Sider, Ronald (1979) ''Christ and Violence''. Scottdale PA: Herald Press. {{ISBN|1-57910-656-0}}
*Sider, Ronald (1979) ''Christ and Violence''. Scottdale PA: Herald Press. {{ISBN|1-57910-656-0}}
*Sampson, Cynthia (1999) "Religion and Peacebuilding." In ''Peacemaking in International Conflict: Methods and Techniques''; edited by I. William Zartman, and J. Lewis Rasmussen. Washington, D.C.: United States Institute of Peace Press.
*Sampson, Cynthia (1999) "Religion and Peacebuilding." In ''Peacemaking in International Conflict: Methods and Techniques''; edited by I. William Zartman, and J. Lewis Rasmussen. Washington, D.C.: United States Institute of Peace Press.
* Stievermann, Jan. "A 'Plain, Rejected Little Flock': The Politics of Martyrological Self-Fashioning among Pennsylvania's German Peace Churches, 1739-65." '' William and Mary Quarterly'' 66.2 (2009): 287-324. [https://www.jstor.org/stable/40212055 online]

*Trocmé, André (1961) ''Jesus and the Nonviolent Revolution''; Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2003. {{ISBN|1-57075-538-8}}
*Trocmé, André (1961) ''Jesus and the Nonviolent Revolution''; Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2003. {{ISBN|1-57075-538-8}}
*Wink, Walter, ed. (2000) ''Peace is the Way: Writings on Nonviolence from the Fellowship of Reconciliation''. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books. {{ISBN|1-57075-315-6}}
*Wink, Walter, ed. (2000) ''Peace is the Way: Writings on Nonviolence from the Fellowship of Reconciliation''. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books. {{ISBN|1-57075-315-6}}
Line 108: Line 119:
==External links==
==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100415233916/http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/H59ME.html Historic Peace Churches] in ''[[Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online|Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia]]''
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100415233916/http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/H59ME.html Historic Peace Churches] in ''[[Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online|Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia]]''
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070302195736/http://www.peacetheology.org/who.html Who are the Historic Peace Churches (HPC)?] ([[Digital time capsule|Wayback Machine]] – original link is dead)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070302195736/http://www.peacetheology.org/who.html Who are the Historic Peace Churches (HPC)?]
* [http://ecapc.org/ Every Church a Peace Church] – organization working to create more peace churches
* [http://ecapc.org/ Every Church a Peace Church] – organization working to create more peace churches
* [http://www.bluffton.edu/~mastg/pacifism.htm Writings on Christian Nonresistance and Pacifism from Anabaptist-Mennonite Sources]
* [http://www.bluffton.edu/~mastg/pacifism.htm Writings on Christian Nonresistance and Pacifism from Anabaptist-Mennonite Sources]
* [http://www.bibleviews.com/Biblicalnonresist.html Pacifism And Biblical Nonresistance]
* [http://www.bibleviews.com/Biblicalnonresist.html Pacifism And Biblical Nonresistance]
* [http://www.nonresistance.org NonResistance.Org]
* [https://nonresistance.info/ NonResistance.Org]
* [http://www.CascadiaPublishingHouse.com Cascadia Publishing House] – Anabaptist-related publisher of Historic Peace Church materials
* [https://www.cascadiapublishinghouse.com/ Cascadia Publishing House] – Anabaptist-related publisher of Historic Peace Church materials


{{anti-war}}
{{anti-war}}

Latest revision as of 16:17, 17 July 2024

Peace churches are Christian churches, groups or communities advocating Christian pacifism or Biblical nonresistance. The term historic peace churches refers specifically only to three church groups among pacifist churches:

In addition to the Schwarzenau Brethren and Mennonites, other Anabaptist Christian fellowships, such as the Hutterian Brethren, River Brethren, Apostolic Christian Church and Bruderhof teach pacifism as well.[1][2]

This phrase has been used since the first conference of the peace churches in Kansas in 1935.[3][4][5][6][7]

The definition of "peace churches" is sometimes expanded to include Christadelphians (from 1863) and others who did not participate in the conference of the "historic peace churches" in Kansas in 1935.[8]

The peace churches agree that Jesus advocated nonviolence. Whether physical force can ever be justified in defending oneself is controversial. Most believers adhere strictly to a moral attitude of nonresistance in the face of violence. These churches generally concur that violence on behalf of nations and their governments is contrary to Christian morality, but agree that the teachings of Jesus were to explain the principles of the Kingdom of God rather than and contrasted with the ways of any earthly government.

History

[edit]
The Deserter (1916) by Boardman Robinson
Blessed are the Peacemakers (1917) by George Bellows

Among all Christian denominations, there have always been groups of members who advocate nonviolence, but certain churches have consistently supported it since their foundation. Besides the three historic peace churches, they include the Amish,[9] Old Order Mennonites, Conservative Mennonites, Holdeman Mennonites, Hutterites,[10] Old German Baptist Brethren,[11] Old Order River Brethren,[12] the Brethren in Christ,[13][14][15] and others in the Anabaptist tradition; Doukhobors,[16] Molokans,[17] Dunkard Brethren,[18][19] Dukh-i-zhizniki,[20] Bruderhof Communities, Schwenkfelders,[21] Moravians,[22] the Shakers,[23] and even some groups within the Pentecostal movement.[24] The largest Finished Work Pentecostal denomination, the Assemblies of God, abandoned pacifism around the time of the Second World War.[25][26] These groups have disagreed, both internally and with each other, about the propriety of non-combatant military roles, such as unarmed medical personnel, or performing non-battlefield services that assist nations in wartime, such as manufacturing munitions. One position might argue that Jesus would never object to helping people who are suffering, while another might object that doing so contributes indirectly to violence by freeing other people to engage in it. Most peace churches support alternative service options such as service to refugees or in hospitals, as long as they are not associated with the military.

In America the first conference of historic peace churches was held in 1935 in Kansas.[3] Five years later in Canada, the Conference of Historic Peace Churches was formed in Ontario in 1940, headed by Harold Sherk to represent Mennonite, Brethren, and Quaker churches as they sought exemption from military service.[27]

At one time, active membership in and acceptance of the beliefs of one of the peace churches was required for obtaining conscientious objector status in the United States, and hence exemption from military conscription, or for those already in the military, honorable discharge. But after a series of court rulings, this requirement was dropped. In the United States, one may now claim conscientious objector status based on a personal belief system that need not be Christian, nor even based on religion.[28]

Peace churches, especially those with sufficient financial and organizational resources, have attempted to heal the ravages of war without favoritism. This has often aroused controversy, as when the Quakers sent large shipments of food and medicine to North Vietnam during the Vietnam War, and to U.S.-embargoed Cuba. The American Friends Service Committee and the Mennonite Central Committee are two charitable denominational agencies set up to provide such healing.

In the 1980s, the Quakers, Brethren, and Mennonites came together to create Christian Peacemaker Teams, an international organization that works to reduce violence and systematic injustice in regions of conflict.[29][30] This was motivated by the desire for Christians to take peacemaking as seriously as soldiers and governments take war-making.[31]

Other Christian pacifist groups

[edit]

Christadelphians, 1863

[edit]

The Christadelphians are one of only a small number of churches whose identity as a denomination is directly linked to the issue of Christian pacifism.[32] Although the grouping which later took the name "Christadelphian" had largely separated from the Campbellite movement in Scotland and America after 1848, it was conscription in the American Civil War which caused their local church in Ogle County, Illinois, to register as conscientious objectors in 1863 under the name "Christadelphians."[33] When the First World War was imminent Christadelphians in the British Empire took the same stance, though frequently faced military tribunals. During the Second World War Christadelphians were exempted and performed civil work – though some of the small number of Christadelphians in Germany were imprisoned and one executed.[34] The position was maintained through the Korean War, Vietnam War and today.[35][36]

Doukhobors

[edit]

The Doukhobors are a Spiritual Christian denomination that advocate pacifism.[37] On 29 June 1895, the Doukhobors, in what is known as the "Burning of the Arms",[38] "piled up their swords, guns, and other weapons and burned them in large bonfires while they sang psalms".[39]

Holiness Pacifists

[edit]

The Emmanuel Association, Reformed Free Methodist Church, Immanuel Missionary Church, Church of God (Guthrie, Oklahoma), First Bible Holiness Church and Christ's Sanctified Holy Church are denominations in the holiness movement known for their opposition to war today; they are known as "Holiness Pacifists".[40][41][42][43][44][45] The Emmanuel Association, for example, teaches:[45]

We feel bound explicitly to avow our unshaken persuasion that War is utterly incompatible with the plain precepts of our divine Lord and Law-giver, and with the whole spirit of the Gospel; and that no plea of necessity or policy, however urgent or peculiar, can avail to release either individuals or nations for the paramount allegiance which they owe to Him who hath said, "Love your enemies." Therefore, we cannot participate in war (Rom. 12:19), war activities, or compulsory training.[45]

Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1867

[edit]

Adventists had sought and obtained exemption as conscientious objectors in 1864, and the Seventh-day Adventist Church from 1914 has a long history of noncombatancy service within and outside the military.[46] In practice today, as a pastor from the Seventh-day Adventist church comments in an online magazine run by members of the Seventh-Day Adventist church: "Today in a volunteer army a lot of Adventist young men and women join the military in combat positions, and there are many Adventist pastors electing for military chaplaincy positions, supporting combatants and non-combatants alike. On Veteran’s Day, American churches across the country take time to give honor and respect to those who “served their country,” without any attempt to differentiate how they served, whether as bomber pilots, Navy Seals, or Operation Whitecoat guinea pigs. I have yet to see a service honoring those who ran away to Canada to avoid participation in the senseless carnage of Vietnam in their Biblical pacifism."[47]

Churches of God (7th day)

[edit]

The different groups evolving under the name Church of God (7th day) stand opposed to carnal warfare, based on Matthew 26:52; Revelation 13:10; Romans 12:19–21. They believe the weapons of their warfare to not be carnal but spiritual (II Corinthians 10:3–5; Ephesians 6:11–18).[48][49]

Molokans

[edit]

The Molokans are a Spiritual Christian denomination that advocate pacifism.[50] They have historically been persecuted for failing to bear arms.[51]

Partially pacifist groups

[edit]

Community of Christ

[edit]

Although non-credal and not explicitly pacifist, the Community of Christ (formerly known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) is emerging as an international peace church through such ministries as the Community of Christ International Peace Award, the Daily Prayer for Peace, and resources to support conscientious objection to war.[52][53][54] However, in the United States and worldwide, many church members are active in military service and the church provides active duty chaplaincy for outreach and ministry to military personnel.

Churches of Christ

[edit]

Once containing a relatively large nonviolence faction, Churches of Christ are now more conflicted. Contemporary Churches of Christ, especially those that hold with the teachings of David Lipscomb, tend toward pacifist views.[55] This means that they believe that the use of coercion and/or force may be acceptable for purposes of personal self-defense but that resorting to warfare is not an option open to Christians.

Fellowship of Reconciliation

[edit]

As noted above, there are peace groups within most mainstream Christian denominations. The Fellowship of Reconciliation was set up as an organization to bring together people in these groups and members of the historic peace churches. In some countries, e.g. the United States, it has broadened its scope to include members of other religions or none, and people whose position is not strictly for nonviolence. However, in other countries (e.g., the United Kingdom) it remains essentially an organization of Christian nonviolence.[56]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Jones, Charles Edwin (1974). A Guide to the Study of The Holiness Movement. p. 213-314.
  2. ^ "The Way of Peace". Bruderhof. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  3. ^ a b Concise Encyclopedia of Amish, Brethren, Hutterites, and Mennonites p6 Donald B. Kraybill – 2010 "In 1935, BRETHREN, Mennonites, and Quakers met in North Newton, Kansas, for a conference on peace. The term HISTORIC PEACE CHURCHES was developed at this conference in order to distinguish between the groups' biblically based peaceful ..."
  4. ^ The Brethren encyclopedia 1983 p608 "The American Civil War brought the peace churches together in combined appeals to government, both in the North and in the South ... This conference used the term historic peace churches as more acceptable to Mennonites than the term pacifist churches because the latter connoted theological liberalism. Called without prior agenda, the three-day meeting concluded with "
  5. ^ Mark Matthews Smoke jumping on the Western fire line: conscientious objectors p36 – 2006 "CHAPTER TWO The Historic Peace Churches – The three historic peace churches that united to lobby for reforming the treatment of conscientious objectors during World War II shared many religious beliefs, but they also differed in many "
  6. ^ Speicher, Sara and Durnbaugh, Donald F. (2003), Ecumenical Dictionary: Historic Peace Churches
  7. ^ G. Kurt Piehler, Sidney Pash The United States and the Second World War: New Perspectives on 2010 p265 "The Selective Service, in collaboration with the historic peace churches, created Civilian Public Service to provide ... In October 1940, to coordinate administration of the CPS camps, the historic peace churches established the NSBRO. "
  8. ^ Law review digest 1957 "Among the peace churches may be listed the Mennonite, Brethren, Friends, Christadelphians and Molakans. Other sects having a degree of pacifism in their doctrines include the Seventh Day Adventists, Assemblies of God and Churches of Christ. A more complex situation arises in connection with those registrants who do not base their nonresistant claims on church membership. "
  9. ^ "The Amish: Massacre at the Amish school in Nickel Mines, PA". Religioustolerance.org. Retrieved 2010-05-02.
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  17. ^ Moroi, Yuichi (2008). Ethics of Conviction and Civic Responsibility: Conscientious War Resisters in America During the World Wars. University Press of America. p. 54. ISBN 9780761840794.
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  20. ^ "Taxonomy of 3 Spiritual Christian groups: Molokane, Pryguny and Dukh-i-zhizniki — books, fellowship, holidays, prophets and songs". Conovaloff, Andrei. Retrieved 2016-10-16.
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  26. ^ "issue-12-alexander-1". Quaker.org. Archived from the original on 2010-07-06. Retrieved 2010-05-02.
  27. ^ Josephson, Harold (1985). Biographical Dictionary of Modern Peace Leaders. Connecticut: Greenwood. pp. 878–9. ISBN 0-313-22565-6.
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  31. ^ Sider, Ron (1984). God's People Reconciling. Mennonite World Conference. Christian Peacemaker Teams. Strasbourg, France. Retrieved 28 June 2016. What would happen if the Christian church stationed as many praying Christians as the U.S. government has sent armed guerrillas across that troubled border? ... Do we not have as much courage and faith as soldiers?
  32. ^ Bryan R. Wilson Sects and Society 1961
  33. ^ Lippey. C. The Christadelphians in North America
  34. ^ James Irvin Lichti Houses on the sand?: pacifist denominations in Nazi Germany p65 – 2008 -"Albert Merz was executed in Brandenburg military detention prison on April 3, 1941 "
  35. ^ Norris, Alfred. The Gospel and Strife. Birmingham, UK: Christadelphian Magazine and Publishing Association.
  36. ^ Watkins, Peter. War and Politics: The Christian's Duty. Birmingham, UK: Christadelphian Auxiliary Lecturing Society.
  37. ^ The Rough Guide to Canada. Apa Publications. 1 June 2016. p. 957. ISBN 9780241279526. The Doukhobors were a sect who fled southern Russian in 1899 after being persecuted for their religious and political views. Fiercely pacifist, they rejected secular government and ignored the liturgy and procedures of the organized church, believing God resided in each individual rather than in a building or institution.
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Further reading

[edit]
  • Driver, Juan (1970) How Christians Made Peace With War: Early Christian Understandings of War. Scottdale PA: Herald Press. ISBN 0-8361-3461-3
(1999) Radical Faith. Scottdale PA: Herald Press. ISBN 0-9683462-8-6
  • Friesen, Duane K. (1986) Christian Peacemaking and International Conflict: A Realist Pacifist Perspective. Scottdale: Herald Press. ISBN 0-8361-1273-3
  • Lederach, John Paul (1999) The Journey Toward Reconciliation. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press. ISBN 0-8361-9082-3
  • Ruth-Heffelbower, Duane (1991) The Anabaptists Are Back: Making Peace in a Dangerous World. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press. ISBN 0-8361-3552-0
  • Sider, Ronald (1979) Christ and Violence. Scottdale PA: Herald Press. ISBN 1-57910-656-0
  • Sampson, Cynthia (1999) "Religion and Peacebuilding." In Peacemaking in International Conflict: Methods and Techniques; edited by I. William Zartman, and J. Lewis Rasmussen. Washington, D.C.: United States Institute of Peace Press.
  • Stievermann, Jan. "A 'Plain, Rejected Little Flock': The Politics of Martyrological Self-Fashioning among Pennsylvania's German Peace Churches, 1739-65." William and Mary Quarterly 66.2 (2009): 287-324. online
  • Trocmé, André (1961) Jesus and the Nonviolent Revolution; Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2003. ISBN 1-57075-538-8
  • Wink, Walter, ed. (2000) Peace is the Way: Writings on Nonviolence from the Fellowship of Reconciliation. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books. ISBN 1-57075-315-6
  • Van Dyck, Harry R. (1990) Exercise of Conscience: A World War II Objector Remembers. Buffalo, NY: Prometheus Books. ISBN 0-87975-584-9
  • McGrath, Willam (1980) Why We Are Conscientious Objectors to War. Millersburg, OH: Amish Mennonite Publications.
  • Horsch, Joh (1999) The Principle of Nonresistance as Held by the Mennonite Church. Ephrata, PA: Eastern Mennonite Publications.
  • Brown, Dale (1985) Biblical Pacifism: A Peace Church Perspective. Elgin, IL: Brethren Press. ISBN 0-87178-108-5
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