The following is a rationale for the holding of a Peace Conference as proposed in the Minute which originated at Uwchlan Monthly Meeting on March 25, 2007, and which was subsequently endorsed by Caln Quarterly Meeting in May-- and is to be considered by Philadelphia Yearly Meeting at its residential sessions in July 2008.

In contrast to the public view that World War II was a “just and good” war, the current war in Iraq seems to be a reverse situation.  Given ancient tribal hostilities, the proliferation of suicide bombers, and a U.S. military presence that seems to exacerbate the situation as each day passes, we must consider non-military driven resolutions to violence.  In the face of this war, the late Pope John Paul II turned to the scriptural injunction: “Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).

Our Quaker forbears stated: “We utterly deny all outward wars and strife and fightings with outward weapons, for any end or under any pretence whatsoever. And this is our testimony to the whole world”  (A Declaration to Charles II, 1660).  George Fox testified that he “lived in the virtue of that life and power that took away the occasion for all wars.”  Lastly, Dietrich Bonhoeffer concluded, "The only way to overcome evil is to let it run itself to a standstill because it does not find the resistance it is looking for. Resistance merely creates further evil and adds fuel to the flames.”

We, the Friends who are proposing this conference, feel the time is ripe to gather, if for no other reason than to assess the status of the national peace movement today and our own testimony as members of the Religious Society of Friends. What meaning, if any, does the ancient injunction to overcome evil with good have for humankind today?  Certainly, we have historic examples of the power of non-violent action with the Civil Rights movement in this country and India’s securing of its national independence.  An interfaith Peace Conference, as proposed, could work to galvanize a stronger counter-voice to war.

For these and other reasons, and supported by our age-old peace testimony, we feel a spiritual imperative to initiate a conference with this focus. We do so in the spirit of William Penn who said, “Let us see what love can do.” 

June 12, 2007   

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