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Peace
Believing that "there is that of God in everyone" we hold that violence toward another is unacceptable and proclaim that Love is at the heart of existence.

"We utterly deny all outward wars and strife and fighting with outward weapons, for any end or under any pretence whatsoever." It has been the Quaker experience over the centuries "to live in the life and power which takes away the occasion of all wars".

The peace testimony means working for forgiveness and reconciliation and dwelling in a sense of our shared humanity. Quakers understand that peace is not simply the absence of armed conflict but the procurement of the rights of all humankind to economic and social justice.

"...Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you."   (Matthew 5:44)

"If fighting is inconsistent with an ideal society, then fighting will not bring the ideal society. A spiritual result is produced by spiritual means and a material result by material means. If war is evil, as almost everyone admits, then it can not be the right way to produce a good result."

                   - Howard Brinton