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Approximately 100 people were present during the initial hour of silent worship. Following this period, Friends broke into small groups to share their responses to the situation created by the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11. Individuals then reported these small-group conversationsMuch concern was expressed about the aspects of United States foreign policy which lay behind these attacks. Many Friends felt some responsibility for taxes paid which supported military activity and build-up, for the inequity in American responses to Israel, on the one hand, and to Palestinians, on the other hand, for our growing dependence on oil which makes us reluctant to put at risk Middle Eastern sources for that oil, and for permitting ourselves to be distracted by other concerns from an unremitting search for peace. On the other hand, one Friend pointed out that, while the perpetrators of the September 11 assaults may have had some motivations which we sympathize with, we need to remember that they may well have had other sources of anger which Friends do not sympathize with; moreover, we need to be careful to avoid even the appearance of condoning these assaults. Other Friends reminded us that many of us have been involved in worthy activities, albeit not immediately peace-related--and that any involvement in larger concerns--from Habitat for Humanity to the effects of economic globalization--helps to remove the causes for war.
Friends also saw this as an intense time of learning for themselves and for other Americans. President Bush's meeting with Sikh leaders was noted as an inspiring contrast to the attitudes during World War II which resulted in the internment of many Japanese-Americans. Many Friends expressed a need to learn more about Islam in all its variety and an interest in efforts to reach out to Muslims in our communities. Could we open our meetinghouses as "listening circles" for neighbors to share their views? Other Friends expressed an impatient need to act, and act now; is there a way, for example, that we could reach out to the families of the pilots involved?
Friends were eager to remain part of the larger American conversation, to present arguments for peace which could be heard beyond the historic peace community; we need to find ways to talk easily about peace. Would it be helpful to produce pamphlets which could be handed out at a vigil? Slogans like "no more victims" or "don't fight terrorism with terrorism" were suggested as bridges to our non-pacifist neighbors. Friends were urged to work with other religious groups with similar ideas; a meeting of religious leaders with President Bush was suggested. We need to find ways to work with those who do not share our pacifist orientation but are concerned about the possibility of war. Friends reported that their own discussions (as well as a poll reported by McNeil-Lehrer) provide evidence that there may be many more Americans sympathetic to a peaceful response than most media reports suggest.
Others, however, were more focussed on the need to speak out and to speak out clearly; they urged us to call talk shows, write to the press, write to our government representatives and leaders, form "peace cells" parallel to (but with a very different goal from) bin Laden's terrorist cells. One Friend suggested that we take advantage of local opportunities like the Forum broadcast on LaSalle College's radio channel.
Repeatedly Friends called for a new Marshall Plan to remedy the situation in the Middle East, where a whole generation has grown up and grown old in refugee camps. This time, however, such a plan should be organized through the United Nations. The United States could begin by paying our back dues! Concern was also expressed that we, as a nation, submit to international law and maintain civil liberties.
Friends then turned to the consideration of two specific queries from Yearly Meeting:
(1) Is there a message which Friends may be particularly suited to share and called to carry in this time to our young people, to our neighbors, and to our country?
In answer, Friends focussed especially on the present and the immediate. The peace that we seek is not the absence of war but the flash of understanding between two people when an instinct of faith opens them to a shared understanding of their vulnerability. Miracles and courage come in many forms; we need to be at home in the world, comfortable and without fear, knowing that true security is not external but internal and faith-based. With this as foundation, we need to lead our lives as fully as we can, being present to each other, because life is very precious. We need to remember the communities we belong to--and to have faith in the communities we can form, and form quickly, by a shared realization of ways in which we can act to protect each other. One Friend cited as an example of this the sense of community created on a recent flight when the pilot suggested essentially non-violent but effective ways in which a potential terrorist could be disarmed. Another Friend, who grew up in Nazi Germany, reminded us of what can happen when citizens abdicate responsibility: we need to tell young people and others that a very few people who have achieved community with each other can be very effective non-violently. Jesus' example shows us the lasting influence of a single individual.
(2) As we continue to be present to the unfolding of events within our monthly meetings, what has been Friends experience in regard to creating spaces and a safe atmosphere in which Friends can openly acknowledge their doubts, their anger, their unknowing and have those things held gently and supportively by others?
Friends expressed real yearning that our schools and meetinghouses provide this safe space--a place where we can hand on to our children the values which guide our lives and where we can support each other in living these values; in many meetings, younger Friends especially have sought to have meetinghouses open for prayer and reflection as they face this great testing time. Some Friends expressed a real need to take action--and for help in how to take that action. One Friend reminded us that the Talmud, the Koran, and the New Testament unite in teaching us that service done to one person is service done to all and to God. Some shared information about current Friends' efforts to pool information and ideas around the need for action now; others reminded us that we are the Yearly Meeting and, if Yearly Meeting is to act, we must act.
The meeting closed with a few moments of silent worship.
Florence Battis Mini, Recording Clerk
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:18 AM