The Quaker Perspective on Military Service: A Comprehensive Overview
When discussing the Quaker perspective on military service, one common belief is that Quakers completely reject serving in the military. However, this view is nuanced and requires a deeper understanding of Quaker traditions and beliefs. Let’s delve into the various attitudes and stances Quakers have on military service.
Defining Attributes of the Quakers: The Peace Testimony
The simplest answer to the Quaker perspective on military service is that Quakers completely repudiate war and won’t have anything to do with the military. While this statement can be truthful, it is also oversimplified. The Peace Testimony is a significant aspect of Quaker beliefs, but it is not the only one. Each Quaker is responsible for discerning their own position on important questions through prayer, reflection, and consultation with other Quakers. If they feel led in a different direction, the Peace Testimony must give way, and they must follow their conscience.
Understanding Quaker Approaches to Military Service
There are several Quaker attitudes toward military service that are not mutually exclusive:
Silent Acceptance
Some Quakers, while accepting the Peace Testimony, feel led to accept the necessity of the military or to accept the legitimacy of defensive wars. They respect the warriors while deploring the war itself. This attitude can seem morally apathetic but often results from conscious discernment. Other Quakers should not criticize those who adopt this stance.
Active Opposition
Others are actively opposed to war, the military, and military industries. They may engage in activities such as lobbying, picketing, counseling young people on conscientious objection, and even harboring military deserters. Some oppose the military through non-confrontational counseling of military members who are questioning their decisions.
Tax Resistance
Some Quakers withhold their portion of taxes used for military expenditures. While this is illegal, they are willing to pay the price to avoid participating in war-making activities.
Refusing to Register for the Draft
During periods of conscription, some Quakers outright refused to register or registered as conscientious objectors. This could result in imprisonment, emigration, or alternative service, depending on how they refused.
Serving in Non-Combatant Roles
Some Quakers discern that saving lives is a legitimate calling, even if it takes place in a combat zone. They have enlisted as ambulance drivers, corpsmen, or stretcher bearers. They believe that as long as they are willing to be killed without being willing to kill, they are living up to the spirit of the Peace Testimony.
Serving in Combat Roles
In exceptional circumstances, some Quakers enlist for combat roles. This was the case during the American Civil War, where the preservation of the Union and the end of slavery seemed worth setting aside the Peace Testimony. Similarly, in WWII, the threat of world domination by Axis powers led some young Quakers to leave their meetings or be expelled from them.
It’s important to note that the decision to join the military is an individual choice for each Quaker. While the Peace Testimony is a guiding principle, it does not dictate a uniform stance on military service.
In conclusion, the Quaker perspective on military service is complex and varies widely among individuals. Some deeply adhere to the Peace Testimony and refuse all forms of military service, while others may choose to serve in non-combatant roles or even combat roles under specific circumstances. The key is that each Quaker must follow their conscience in accordance with their beliefs.