Quakers are the only religion so far to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Sacraments - Quakers do not practice a ritual baptism but believe that life, when lived in the example of Jesus Christ, is a sacrament. It was awarded to Friends worldwide in 1947, recognizing three centuries of Quaker efforts to heal rifts and oppose war, and especially recognizing Quaker relief work in Europe following the two world wars. The following is an extract from the minutes of British Quakers' Yearly Meeting in 1993. The Lord Mayor of … It took me some time to feel comfortable with pacifism. In the beginning of the Declaration , Friends noted that "wars and fightings proceed from the lusts of men" ( James 4:1-3 ). Quakers and peace. As Nobel laureates, Quakers can nominate individuals or organisations for the prize. The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) is a pacifist group with its roots in Christianity, that has worked for peace since its creation in the 17th century. From the earliest days of their formation as the Religious Society of Friends, Quakers were imprisoned as they followed their evangelist leadings. When the two prisoners walked into the courtroom on September 3, 1670, the bailiff snatched the hats from their heads. Similarly, to the Quaker, silent meditation, seeking revelation directly from God, is their form of communion. The Quakers have shown us that it is possible to translate into action what lies deep in the hearts of many: compassion for others and the desire to help them - that rich expression of the sympathy between all men, regardless of nationality or race, which, transformed into deeds, must form the basis for lasting peace. Quakers have been advocating peace for 350 years. Quakers call this form of action witness – living out our faith through action. To find out more about the many peace, reconciliation, development, health care, education, human rights, social justice and other service projects currently being undertaken by Quakers around the world visit the Friends World Committee for Consultation . Quakers recognise that there is 'that of God in everyone', and this leads us to renounce violence and to work actively for peace. peace White Feather Diaries: Taxes For Peace Not War Jane Dawson, Advocacy and Public Relationships lead for Quakers in Britain, spoke about Quakers and the history of conscientious objection… Quaker Peace and Social Witness (QPSW) is the central peace and service department of British Friends, and represents them at national level on issues of peace and social justice. This includes promoting peace education, challenging militarism, campaigning against war and for disarmament, and supporting the peace movement in Britain. In particular, it named the work done by the two recipient Quaker Contemporary Quakers often refer to this inward and eternal One as “that of God in everyone.” All Quaker testimonies spring from this belief in the sacredness of the whole of creation. AFSC and the Nobel Peace Prize In 1947, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and British Friends Service Council accepted one of the most prestigious awards in the world—the Nobel Peace Prize—on behalf of Quakers worldwide. Read More William Penn's persecution and fight for rights of Quakers and how they found peace in the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is the cumulative lived witness of generations of Quakers. It grows out of our experience in Quaker worship and Quaker community. London, Sweet & Maxwell, 1927 (OCoLC)589970030 Online version: Knowles, George William, 1879-Quakers and peace. Make a ‘Celebrating Peace this VE Day!’ sign for your house. Quaker nominees are publicised each year and by doing so Quakers hope to not only encourage the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to our nominee, but also lift their work up for recognition, shining light on and hopefully strengthening that work. The prize recognized 300 years of Quaker efforts to heal rifts and oppose war. The peace testimony is about deeds not creeds; not a form of words but a way of living. Since 1931 Canadian Friends Service Committee (Quakers) has worked justice and peace through peacebuilding and active nonviolence We work long term to tackle the root causes of violence, and to build a more just and peaceful world. The Loxley Award (up to $15,000) to assist New Zealanders (Quakers or non-Quakers) who wish to undertake a project which promotes understanding of peace, justice and environmental issues in Aotearoa New Zealand or abroad. Yesterday marked the the 70 th anniversary of the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to Friends Service Council and American Friends Service Committee, representing British and Americans Quakers more widely.. Isaac Penington on the Magistrate's Sword, 1661. The first comprehensive statement of the Quaker peace testimony was presented in a letter to King Charles II in 1660. Thus will the Peace Testimony be renewed, and thus will Quakers be able to more effectively advance a moral vision of the common good. The journey towards achieving peace. Welcome to Woking Quakers | Woking Quaker Meeting, Friends Meeting House, 41 Park Road, Woking, GU22 7DB | Quakers try to live in truth, peace, simplicity and equality, finding God in … Quakers are inextricably linked to peace. For more information, check out Quakers In Britain’s resources on challenging militarisation and Peace, or have a look at the Quaker Peace Testimony. The Nobel Peace Prize 1947 was awarded jointly to Friends Service Council (The Quakers) and American Friends Service Committee (The Quakers) "for their pioneering work in the international peace movement and compassionate effort to relieve human suffering, thereby promoting the fraternity between nations". 2. Their crimes were blasphemy, public speaking, refusal to swear oaths, and disturbing the peace, among other distressing behaviors. George Fox on "Keeping Watch," 1676. Early Quaker Statements. It is not always an easy concept – particularly with compelling arguments for ‘just war’, such as the Second World War. 1. Quakers and peace by Ruth Freeman, 1947, Pacifist Research Bureau edition, in English Quaker Peace & Social Witness (QPSW) work emerges from the deep spiritual experience of Quakers. Quaker Peace & Social Witness (QPSW) Purpose. We do this both individually and collectively. Quakers have issued statements about peace much more recently. Despite the above, many people in the 21st Century are only familiar with the Quaker peace testimony. Local Peace Grants (up to $1,000) to support peacebuilding activities in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Peace Testimony is probably the best known and best loved of all the Quaker testimonies.... (It) has been a source of inspiration to Friends throughout the centuries, for it points to a way of life which embraces all human relationships. This article was inspired by the called meeting on the renewal of the Quaker Peace Testimony held by Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, November 18, 2006, at Arch Street Meetinghouse, Philadelphia, Pa. Peace is seen by Quakers as far more than a rejection of warfare. Although Quakers value and still quote this historic document, the peace testimony is a living thing. The peace testimony is probably what most people who know a little about Quakers will most associate with us – we have often been described as one of ‘the historic peace churches’. It facilitates dialogue to build greater understanding of these issues, and disseminates outcomes and ideas. In the silent meditation and prayer of the Quaker Meeting for Worship, and in our search in daily life for that of God in all other people, Quakers have sought to develop an ethos which puts a love of fellow humans into practice. Quakers have a long history of involvement in peace and development work around the world. QPI was born in September 2014 out of a national network of Quakers working for peace under the auspices of Change Agent Peace Program (CAPP; a long held peace caravan that was driven by Quakers and Quaker led organizations around the country that has roots dating back to the early 2000’s). It is one of the Quaker testimonies, which also include truth and integrity, equality and community, simplicity and the earth and environment. The Society of Friends (or Quakers) is a religious movement that has been active in social movements for centuries. The exhibition uses photographs and personal testimonies featuring Quakers or those involved in Quaker peace-building work from seven sub-Saharan African countries. Quaker peace-builders from seven African countries turn their experience of violence and conflict into a force for social change. A Quaker relief organization, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), created a Refugee Division that helped at least 22,000 individuals and … The anniversary feels all the more special this year, as the recently announced 2017 winner, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), is an organisation which … Ithaca, N.Y., Pacifist Research Bureau [1947] Quakers work for peace in all aspects of life – locally, nationally and internationally – and we believe that working for peace begins in our own hearts. Genre/Form: History: Additional Physical Format: Online version: Freeman, Ruth, 1901-Quakers and peace. 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