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Pacifism is supported by [[peace churches]], such as the [[Quakers]], [[Mennonites]], [[Amish]], Brethren (Dunkers), Schwenkfelders,  and [[Jehovah's Witnesses]]

Pacifism is supported by [[peace churches]], such as the [[Quakers]], [[Mennonites]], [[Amish]], Brethren (Dunkers), Schwenkfelders,  and [[Jehovah's Witnesses]]

==American Revolution==

==American Revolution==

The peace churches - Quakers, Mennonites, Brethrens, Schwenkfelders, and Moravians - attempted to take no position during the American Revolution. Claiming a higher sovereign than either Parliament or Congress, they sought to remain aloof from the dispute. Such a position was impossible without persecution, however. Those who refused to bear arms were taxed, and the tax money was used to support the war effort. Thus there was no escape from involvement in the secular issue of Independence.<ref> Richard K. MacMaster, "Neither Whig Nor Tory: the Peace Churches in the American Revolution," ''Fides et Historia'' 1977 9(2): 8-24, </ref>

The peace churches - Quakers, Mennonites, Brethrens, Schwenkfelders, and Moravians - attempted to take no position during the American Revolution. Claiming a higher sovereign than either Parliament or Congress, they sought to remain aloof from the dispute. Such a position was impossible without persecution, however. Those who refused to bear arms were taxed, and the tax money was used to support the war effort. Thus there was no escape from involvement in the secular issue of Independence.<ref>Richard K. MacMaster, "Neither Whig Nor Tory: the Peace Churches in the American Revolution," ''Fides et Historia'' 1977 9(2): 8-24,</ref>

===World War I===

===World War I===

Pacifism was badly handled in World War I; many men were drafted and severely hazed or punished by the military for their pacifism.

Pacifism was badly handled in World War I; many men were drafted and severely hazed or punished by the military for their pacifism.

In 1940, as war seemed imminent, the historic peace churches - the Mennonites, the Church of the Brethren, and the Society of Friends - formed the National Service Board for Religious Objectors (NSBRO) to serve as the administrator for the projects of the Civilian Public Service (CPS). The CPS was used by the federal draft agency (the Selective Service System) as a program that provided nonviolent work alternatives for persons conscientiously opposed to participating in the military.  There were conflicts among the peace churches along with the issue of the separation of church and state in the administration of the program.  

In 1940, as war seemed imminent, the historic peace churches - the Mennonites, the Church of the Brethren, and the Society of Friends - formed the National Service Board for Religious Objectors (NSBRO) to serve as the administrator for the projects of the Civilian Public Service (CPS). The CPS was used by the federal draft agency (the Selective Service System) as a program that provided nonviolent work alternatives for persons conscientiously opposed to participating in the military.  There were conflicts among the peace churches along with the issue of the separation of church and state in the administration of the program.  

===Catholics===

===Catholics===

In World War II there were 135 Catholics among 11,887 individuals who registered their dissent within the law and were granted conscientious objector (CO) status. These men were placed in Civilian Public Service (CPS) camps. The CPS was created by the Historic Peace Churches as a means of alternative service. The only Catholic group to support CO's was the Catholic Worker. A special group which emerged from the Catholic Worker for this purpose was the Association of Catholic Conscientious Objectors (ACCO). During the war, the ACCO operated two CPS camps for Catholic CO's, published a newspaper, and also worked with 61 Catholics who were imprisoned because they refused to register their dissent within the law. There is no way to show the precise relationship of the Catholic faith to the personal decisions of these men, but 73% contended that their faith had a bearing on their decision.<ref> Patricia McNeal, "Catholic Conscientious Objection During World War II," ''Catholic Historical Review'' 1975 61(2): 222-242,</ref>  

In World War II there were 135 Catholics among 11,887 individuals who registered their dissent within the law and were granted conscientious objector (CO) status. These men were placed in Civilian Public Service (CPS) camps. The CPS was created by the Historic Peace Churches as a means of alternative service. The only Catholic group to support CO's was the Catholic Worker. A special group which emerged from the Catholic Worker for this purpose was the Association of Catholic Conscientious Objectors (ACCO). During the war, the ACCO operated two CPS camps for Catholic CO's, published a newspaper, and also worked with 61 Catholics who were imprisoned because they refused to register their dissent within the law. There is no way to show the precise relationship of the Catholic faith to the personal decisions of these men, but 73% contended that their faith had a bearing on their decision.<ref>Patricia McNeal, "Catholic Conscientious Objection During World War II," ''Catholic Historical Review'' 1975 61(2): 222-242,</ref>  

==Other movements==

==Other movements==

There is a small but slowly increasing concern for replacing war and violence with peaceful methods of conflict resolution. Recently, many Christian denominations have recognized the validity of the pacifist option for their members who are conscientiously opposed to participation in military operations. Since pacifism has come to be associated with left-wing movements, pacifists and conservative church members tend to locate toward opposite ends of the liberal-conservative socioreligious-political continuum. Although a majority of Mennonites adhere to their traditional pacifism rooted in a conservative biblicism, a minority do not. A major survey of Mennonite church members reveals their pacifist and political leanings, and rejects the hypothesis that conservatives would accept pacifism more strongly than liberals would.<ref> J. Howard  Kauffman, "Dilemmas of Christian Pacifism Within a Historic Peace Church," ''Sociological Analysis'' 1989 49(4): 368-385,

There is a small but slowly increasing concern for replacing war and violence with peaceful methods of conflict resolution. Recently, many Christian denominations have recognized the validity of the pacifist option for their members who are conscientiously opposed to participation in military operations. Since pacifism has come to be associated with left-wing movements, pacifists and conservative church members tend to locate toward opposite ends of the liberal-conservative socioreligious-political continuum. Although a majority of Mennonites adhere to their traditional pacifism rooted in a conservative biblicism, a minority do not. A major survey of Mennonite church members reveals their pacifist and political leanings, and rejects the hypothesis that conservatives would accept pacifism more strongly than liberals would.<ref>J. Howard  Kauffman, "Dilemmas of Christian Pacifism Within a Historic Peace Church," ''Sociological Analysis'' 1989 49(4): 368-385,

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==Quakers==

==Quakers==

Quakers have gradually reversed their position on nonresistance. During the Civil War a few were 'disowned' for bearing arms. A change began during World War I when many served in combat units, although more than twice their number worked in alternative civilian relief and rehabilitation tasks. World War II found those in combat units held a four-to-one margin over those in civilian alternate service, to which they were legally entitled as members of a 'historic peace church.' A study of Quakers in Kansas showed that in 1950 only three men registered a protest against combat service.<ref>Cecil B.Curry, "The Devolution of Quaker Pacifism: a Kansas Case Study, 1860-1955," ''Kansas History'' 1983 6(2): 120-133, 1 </ref>

Quakers have gradually reversed their position on nonresistance. During the Civil War a few were 'disowned' for bearing arms. A change began during World War I when many served in combat units, although more than twice their number worked in alternative civilian relief and rehabilitation tasks. World War II found those in combat units held a four-to-one margin over those in civilian alternate service, to which they were legally entitled as members of a 'historic peace church.' A study of Quakers in Kansas showed that in 1950 only three men registered a protest against combat service.<ref>Cecil B.Curry, "The Devolution of Quaker Pacifism: a Kansas Case Study, 1860-1955," ''Kansas History'' 1983 6(2): 120-133, 1</ref>

== Biblical references about Christian nonviolence==

== Biblical references about Christian nonviolence==

The following verses and interpretations are used by some Biblical scholars as evidence for Christian nonviolence.

The following verses and interpretations are used by some Biblical scholars as evidence for Christian nonviolence.

* "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:43-48 NIV)

* "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:43-48 NIV)

==See Also==

==See also==

* [[Hippocratic Oath]] and [[Oath of the Hindu Physician]]

* [[Hippocratic Oath]] and [[Oath of the Hindu Physician]]

* [[Medical ethics]]: [[Ethics]] and [[Morality]]

* [[Medical ethics]]: [[Ethics]] and [[Morality]]

{{reflist}}

{{reflist}}

[[Category : Political Terms]]

[[Category:Political Terms]]

[[Category : Non-violence]]

[[Category:Non-violence]]

[[Category : Buddhism]]

[[Category:Buddhism]]

[[Category : Hinduism]]

[[Category:Hinduism]]

[[Category : Religion]]

[[Category:Religion]]

==Further reading==

==Further reading==