Quaker Theology

3. War, Militarism & Torture

  • “Hostage In Iraq” & “118 Days: Christian Peacemaker Teams Held Hostage in Iraq”* Reviewed

    This review critically examines two books about the kidnapping of Christian Peacemaker Teams members in Iraq, focusing on the theological, strategic, and practical issues around martyrdom and peace activism. It highlights the recklessness of some peaceworkers, contrasts preparedness between hostages, and addresses the profound challenges faced by one gay captive and the LGBT community’s need…

  • “The Dark Side” and “Never Surrender”* Reviewed

    This article reviews two contrasting books about Fort Bragg’s role in post-9/11 U.S. military and intelligence operations. Jane Mayer’s “The Dark Side” exposes the use and spread of torture techniques in U.S. interrogations, while retired General William Boykin’s “Never Surrender” promotes an apocalyptic religious worldview justifying the war on terror. The review highlights the starkly…

  • Four Publications on Torture

    This article reviews four publications that examine the history, methods, and ongoing use of torture by the CIA from the Cold War to the War on Terror, highlighting the institutional and psychological mechanisms behind it. It also details local North Carolina activism against the “Torture Industrial Complex,” including Quaker efforts to educate and witness against…

  • Christianity and War, and Other Essays Against the Warfare State.

    This post reviews Laurence M. Vance’s book *Christianity and War, and Other Essays Against the Warfare State*, which critiques the deep entanglement of American evangelical Christianity with militarism. Vance argues from an orthodox, fundamentalist perspective against the theological justifications for U.S. wars, exposing “American War Christianity” as a dangerous and idolatrous mindset that conflates national…

  • An Excerpt from “Christianity and War:” Are You a Christian Warmonger?

    This post critiques the justification of the Iraq War by some Christians who use Scripture to endorse violence and war. It includes a self-assessment test designed to reveal the extent to which a Christian may support war and militarism, challenging readers to reconsider their beliefs about Christianity and violence.

  • An Interview with David Gosling, Winter 2008

    This article is an interview with David Gosling, a U.S. Army Infantry Captain deployed to Iraq, who reflects on his Quaker background and how his military experiences led him to reconsider his views on war and peace. Gosling discusses his spiritual journey reconnecting with Quaker writings and pacifist philosophies amidst the challenges of combat and…

  • “Just War Against Terror: The Burden of American Power In a Violent World” a Review

    This article is a critical review of Jean Bethke Elshtain’s book *Just War Against Terror*, examining its neo-conservative justification of American military power post-9/11. The reviewer challenges Elshtain’s arguments for U.S. imperialism, critiques her interpretation of just war theory, and highlights the failure to adequately account for civilian casualties in recent conflicts. The review also…

  • Milton Mayer, Quaker Hedgehog

    This article profiles Milton Mayer, a twentieth-century Quaker and writer known for his critique of state authority and individual corruption. Mayer’s major work, *They Thought They Were Free*, examines the gradual acquiescence of ordinary Germans to Nazism, highlighting the importance of early resistance to institutional power. His lifelong commitment to moral individualism and opposition to…

  • Some Quaker Reflections on the Kosovo War

    This article offers a Quaker perspective on the Kosovo War, exploring the complex dilemmas between war and oppression through historical and contemporary lenses. It examines Quaker pacifist principles, the shifting paradigms of peace and military intervention, and the limited but meaningful ways Friends can influence peacebuilding without abandoning their core testimonies. The author concludes with…