We repudiate war because it violates the primacy of love, destroys lives that God has given, and tears the fabric of society. War is a test of power, not a search for truth or justice. We thus urge the use of peaceful methods, consistent with the ends we seek, which may heal the hates and hurts of individuals and nations. We support all who take the stand of conscientious objection to war and violence. While we do not question the bravery and commitment of people who fight, the question that sets us apart from them is, “Can any war truly be the will of God?”
-NYYM Faith and Practice, 2018
Peace Flag flying from the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater at the dock in Hudson, NY
For Hudson Friends, the Peace testimony is reflected in the ways in which we respond to war, but also in the ways in which we lead our daily lives. We lead with love, the love of all creation. Below are some examples of how Hudson Friends have lived into the Peace Testimony.
Read about how late Friend Nancy Smith took a stand at the U.S. Army School of the Americas in:
Stories from the Line: Reflections on Protesting the U.S. Army School of the Americas
Read about the Alternative to Violence Program (AVP) and Friend Jim Pepper in:
Alternatives to Violence workshops aim to defuse and integrate
Current Friend Lisa is creating a peace garden and peace pole at her home in Columbia County with the young folks in her family.
