A Two-Minute Movie

As soon as war began in Iraq, the American Friends Service Committee began its Waging Peace campaign in hopes of ending it. The Religious Society of Friends, more widely known as the Quakers, is a traditional peace church. For three centuries Quakers have refused to fight in the military, although they willing would work in medic corps or accept assignments from the government for any kind of life-giving work. In fact, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) was founded in 1917 to coordinate with the government in helping young Quakers and other conscientious objectors (see "Catholic Connection" below) serve those in need rather than take up arms in World War I. The AFSC sent young adults to France to care for refugee children, build a maternity hospital and rebuild civilian homes. They stayed after the war ended and helped with reconstruction, too.

In the 1950s, the AFSC discerned that it was not enough to provide alternatives to military service once a war has begun. The organization wanted to do something to prevent war in the first place. So educational and training programs were initiated to teach peacemaking--hence, the current Waging Peace campaign.

The AFSC holds seminars about the Iraqi war around the country--including here in Chicago--and sponsors protests. It encourages people to contact their congressional representatives. Hoping to build on the plastic wristband craze (like Lance Armstrong's yellow "Live Strong" bracelet), the AFSC distributes a blue peace band that says "WAGE PEACE." (Click here for more information on the bracelet: www.afsc.org/iraq/bracelet.htm )

The latest piece of the campaign is a two-minute movie, one that will not be coming soon to a theater near you. The AFSC is concerned that we fail to appreciate the full impact of the loss of life on both sides. Because the daily news seems to be that one or two or five soldiers have died that day, it's too easy to lose sight of the total number of U.S. casualties. And we rarely if ever hear of the number of Iraqi dead. So the brief movie simply lists the names and shows the pictures of those who have died on both sides and ends with a stirring call to exercise our political responsibility to let the government know what we think of this war that is being waged in our name. You can view the film by clicking here: www.afsc.org/news/2005/wage-peace.htm

Some of the most eloquent cries for peace are brief.

Catholic Connections

"In the light of the Gospel and from an analysis of the Church's teaching on conscience, it is clear that a Catholic can be a conscientious objector to war in general or to a particular war 'because of religious training and belief.' It is not enough, however, simply to declare that a Catholic can be a conscientious objector or a selective conscientious objector. Efforts must be made to help Catholics form a correct conscience in the matter, to discuss with them the duties of citizenship, and to provide them with adequate draft counseling and information services in order to give them the full advantage of the law protecting their rights. Catholic organizations which could qualify as alternative service agencies should be encouraged to support and provide meaningful employment for the conscientious objector. As we hold individuals in high esteem who conscientiously serve in the armed forces, so also we should regard conscientious objection and selective conscientious objection as positive indicators within the Church of a sound moral awareness and respect for human life."
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Declaration on Conscientious Objection, 1971

Reflection Questions

What's one thing that you could do today in two minutes to work for peace?

Join us in our Forum to discuss these questions!