Pacifism
Pacifism is the refusal to participate in any wars. "Conscientious objector" laws usually permit pacifists to avoid a draft (mandatory enlistment) in war. Some are assigned to non-combat military service (with pay and veteran's benefits); some are assigned to civilian work in hospitals (without pay and without veteran's benefits). Those who refuse to participate in any way are imprisoned.
Pacifism is supported by peace churches, such as the Quakers, Monnonites, Amish and Jehovah's Witnesses
Biblical references about Christian nonviolence
The following verses and interpretations are used by some Biblical scholars as evidence for Christian nonviolence.
General
- "Love does no harm to its neighbour. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." (Romans 13:10 NIV)
- "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV)
- "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." (Matthew 5:38-42 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)
Quotations
"War doesn't prove who is right, only who is left." --Bertrand Russell
"Only the dead have seen the end of war." --attributed to Plato
"War! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing." --Edwin Starr, "War" (song)
"War is hell." --General William Tecumseh Sherman
"Fighting for peace is like fornicating for virginity." --unattributed slogan
"In time of war the first casualty is truth." -- Boake Carter
"Non-combatant, n. A dead Quaker." -- Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary
"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." --Mahatma Gandhi