Yes... and?

Having and using are different.

I'll break it down for ya. I belong to what is known as a peace church. Our interpretation of Christ's sermons on the mount and the plain, and his actions ahead of the crucifixion, clearly illustrate Christ's intention that his followers be strict pacifists.

No Quaker fought in the Civil War. Tens of thousands of ex-Quakers fought in the Civil War. They weren't Quakers anymore, because of the choice. Did they fight for a righteous cause? Certainly.

But they still fought.

Christ's example was to win by not fighting. That peace only happens when one side stops the cycle of reciprocal violence.

Is it flawed? Maybe. Maybe it's unworkable. But it's what we believe.

The United States had one Quaker president. Herbert Hoover. You know what his attitude was towards the Communists and the Nazis? Let them fight, and when they've finished destroying each other we'd go in peacefully with food and medicine and win by default.

Yes... and?

Having and using are different.

I'll break it down for ya. I belong to what is known as a peace church. Our interpretation of Christ's sermons on the mount and the plain, and his actions ahead of the crucifixion, clearly illustrate Christ's intention that his followers be strict pacifists.

No quaker fought in the Civil War. Tens of thousands of ex-Quakers fought in the Civil War. They weren't Quakers anymore, because of the choice. Did they fight for a righteous cause? Certainly.

But they still fought.

Christ's example was to win by not fighting. That peace only happens when one side stops the cycle of reciprocal violence.

Is it flawed? Maybe. Maybe it's unworkable. But it's what we believe.