Standing Committee on Peace and Concerns
Conscience, Militarism, and War Tax Concerns
Peace and Justice Coordinator:
Joan Broadfield Broadfield (215) 241-7240 (email joanb [at] pym.org)
This page was prepared by Friends serving Philadelphia Yearly Meeting in the areas of concerns of Conscience, Militarism and War Tax Concerns as part of the Peace and Concerns Standing Committee of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers):
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We are bound by our concerns that society regularly calls upon us to participate in war. ~ As taxpayers, by conscription of
our tax dollars: Today, waging war depends more than ever on enormously
expensive weapons and equipment and less on masses of soldiers. Therefore,
~ As youth, by registering with Selective Service and by responding to any future conscription by accepting the violence that makes each succeeding war easier - to accept the presence of military recruiters and JROTC programs in our schools, and the direct solicitation of military recruiters. ~ As parents, by struggling with how
to advise our children regarding compliance with the above requirements
in possible contradiction of deeply-held convictions. |
| As Friends we are grounded in our Peace
Testimony. We believe in the Divine nature of human life and all creation,
and must balance our obligations to submit to the laws of the State against
our greater call to answer to God. |
"We
utterly deny all outward wars and strife, and fightings
with outward weapons, for any end, or under any pretense whatsoever;
this is our testimony to the whole world... Therefore,
we cannot learn war any more."
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Are you troubled by the
enormous amount of our nation’s resources that are devoted to
war preparations and war-making?
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Do you suspect that the money, effort and lives spent are ultimately making
us less safe rather
than increasing our security?
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Are you searching for nonviolent and life-affirming alternatives to which
to devote your money
and energies?
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Are you looking for accurate information and clarity about how you might
proceed
in accordance with the dictates of your conscience?
If your conscience is touched by these issues, you may want to learn more about Philadelphia Yearly Meeting activities on issues of conscience, against militarism and in support of war tax concerns. Friends seek to reach out:
· To individuals seeking discernment on issues of conscience, such as Selective Service registration, Federal war taxes, etc.
· To Meetings and Schools with members concerned about war/peace/militarism/tax issues.
· To employers who have conscientious war tax objectors on their payrolls.
· To the public, witnessing to nonviolent spending priorities and redirecting resources away from war.
Counsel - spiritual and practical - those seeking further clarity or needing group support in facing up to Selective Service or the IRS.
Network with Friends and other Conscientious Objector groups nationally and internationally.
Lobby Congress for Peace Tax Fund legislation, which would offer a legal alternative for the federal taxes of people unable in good conscience to pay for military spending.
This page was created by Friends active on these issues in service on a working group since the 1970s. Our work has been grounded in joyful worship as we have sought to know God's will for our time. We gain inspiration from our Quaker Peace Testimony, its Biblical roots, and from those Friends and others who have borne witness to conscience across more than three centuries.
We wish to help Friends and other seekers who are searching their hearts and
consciences regarding the full implications in our lives of the peace testimony
declared so eloquently in 1660. For more information, visit PYM's Henry Cadbury
Library, on line catalogue, or visit
Please contact us for resource materials,
counseling, scheduling a discussion leader for your Meeting.
Phone: 215/241-7240 or
800/2200 PYM extension 7240
Staff / office E-mail: joan[at]pym.org