Posted: May 14, 2023   •   Posted in: Discussions, Peace

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White poppies, conscientious objection and our Quaker peace testimony – Introduction and reflections

A recent ‘Friday discussion’ focused on aspects of peace. Quakers are considered to be one of the ‘peace churches’ but what does that mean for us as individuals? Martin reflects on his experience of attending the discussion, and we asked Jenny if she could share how she introduced the session.

Martin

On 12th May I attended another discussion at Beccles Quakers, this time about the Quaker Peace testimony.  We heard how this testimony dates back to the early days of Quakers, a denouncing of war and violence, and the wish to promote peace,

We learned that many Quakers became conscientious objectors during the two World Wars, some serving in non-combatant roles like ambulance driving.

Questions emerged, like whether is was ever justified to take up arms, for example in defence of one’s own country or people. The Russian invasion of Ukraine was discussed, and I also reflected on my own experience of serving in the Territorial Army many years ago.

We then wondered what we could do personally to promote peace.  One example we discussed was wearing a white poppy instead of a red one, though it turned out that most of us weren’t in the habit of wearing a poppy at all.

Anyway, it was a thought-provoking and informative discussion, and I look forward to the next one.

Jenny’s introduction to the discussion

White Poppies, Conscientious Objection and the Quaker Peace Testimony

‘I’m going to try to link these three concepts together… it may or may not work!

White Poppies

These are sold in November along with the British Legion red poppy, but with a very different emphasis. White poppies stand for:

• remembrance of all victims of war – military and civilian
• a challenge to any attempt to glamorise or celebrate war
• a commitment to peace.

White poppies were first made and sold by the Woman’s Co-operative Guild in 1933. They are now sold by the Peace Pledge Union (PPU), founded in 1934 by Rev. Dick Shepherd. PPU is one of the oldest pacifist organisations in the UK. The pledge that its members take reads:

“War is a crime against humanity. I renounce war, and am therefore determined not to support any kind of war. I am also determined to work for the removal of all causes of war.” 

Conscientious Objection

A Conscientious Objector is one who opposes bearing arms, or objects to any military service or training on the grounds of freedom of thought, conscience or religion.

To be accepted as a Conscientious Objector (CO), and not just a draft avoider, is to be very strictly tested by law. During World War 1 it was finally accepted in the UK that some members of the so-called Peace Churches – the Mennonites, the Brethren and the Quakers – along with other individuals, might be exempt from fighting, and offered alternative service, for example agricultural work.

At the time of patriotic fervour during the two World Wars, COs were treated with great contempt in public. They were given white feathers to humiliate them and accuse them of cowardice. Quakers founded the Friends Ambulance Unit (FAU) and over a 1000 men and women drove ambulances along the Front Lines, picking up those of whatever nationality, who were wounded and dying. These people certainly were not cowards.

A matter of conscience

A few weeks ago there was an article in the Friend entitled The trials of Trudi Warner. Trudi Warner lives in Walthamstow, where the Quaker William Penn was born and grew up. On March 27^th of this year she was arrested for standing outside the Old Bailey during the trial of several Insulate Britain protestors, holding a sign which read:

Jurors!

You have an absolute right to acquit a defendant according to your conscience.

In 1670 Quakers William Penn and James Mead were on trial accused of preaching in public. At this time only Church of England priests were allowed to do so. The judge ordered the twelve jurors to find the two men guilty;  four jurors dissented. The jury was sent back. They returned, finding Penn and Mead guilty only of ‘speaking in the street’. They refused to add ‘in unlawful assembly’. The jurors were then all locked up ‘without meat, drink, fire or tobacco’, and Penn and Mead were imprisoned. The jurors were later released under Habeas Corpus, and sued the Mayor and the Recorder, winning an historic decision, that stated:

‘Judges may try to open the eyes of jurors, but not lead them by the nose!’

This case established the right of jurors to vote according to their conviction, and became the very essence of our jury system. Trudi Warner was simply reminding them of their rights.

The Quaker Peace Testimony

I want now to take you back to 1660 when many hundreds of Quakers went to prison in defence of their right to freedom of worship, and their conscientious objection to the social order of the times. Examples included not taking off their hats to social ‘superiors’, and not paying tithes (10% of their wealth) to what they considered a corrupt church.

In 1660 Margaret Fell went to the court to speak to the newly crowned King Charles II  to try to explain to him that Quakers had no intention of undermining the state, but could not in all conscience, join his armies. I would like to read the declaration given to the king, and then ask you.

Where do we stand today on justice, equality, truth…and peace?’