By Christine Sheller
The birthplace of Iowa Peace
Network, William Penn University, (a Friends university) recently held it’s
Worldview Forum, cosponsored by the William Penn University Campus
Ministry. It was entitled “Pacifism and
Just War: Pathways to Peace?” It was
held September 25, 2024, and began at 6:30 pm, going to 8:30 pm in the George
Daily Auditorium, at the Oskaloosa High School.
The flier described the general
explanation of the forum: “The William
Penn University Worldview Forum is a bi-annual event designed to inspire
critical thinking among students and guests.
Experienced guest speakers tackle significant worldview and audience questions. Emphasizing civility and mutual respect, the
forum encourages thoughtful dialogue over debate and hot takes.”
The guest panel consisted of
three men: Brian Terrell, peace activist
since 1975, representing Pacifism; Tim Hadley, Chaplain, 1-133 Infantry Battalion,
representing Just War; and Manny Garcia, D.Min., Superintendent, Iowa Yearly
Meeting of (Friends United Meeting), as Moderator.
Brian Terrell spoke
first. He answered questions which both
he and Tim Hadley were tasked with answering for the first portion of the forum. Each spoke for about half an hour on these
questions, there was then an intermission, and people gathered again to ask
questions to the panelists.
The questions were: “What is ultimate reality and how does
ultimate reality inform your view on Pacifism and Just War?”, “What is a human
being and how does your understanding of a human being inform your view on Pacifism
and Just War?”, “What happens to a person when they die, how does your understanding
death inform your view on Pacifism and Just War?,” and “How do we know what is
right and wrong and how does this inform your view on Pacifism and Just War?”.
Some of the points Brian made
were about the reality of nuclear annihilation if any country started the domino
effect of starting nuclear warfare. He
said it would be the end of the world.
He also spoke about the research that has been done to show that
nonviolent action usually accomplishes more resolution than violence such as
war. He cited Erica Chenoweth and her
book. He spoke about his experience in
nonviolent action at military bases.
Some of the points Tim Hadley
spoke about were about were the tenets of Just War. One of the first things he said, was, “They
say ‘the lion will lie down with the lamb.
But the lamb will not get much sleep!’”
He also said he thought everyone would need to be a pacifist for pacifism
to work.
“Just War” depends on “necessity of action.” Without just war, the world will turn into
chaos, filled with bloodthirsty leaders.
He spoke about ultimate
reality being God. He quoted Genesis
1:27 speaking about the sanctity of life. Genesis 1:27 is “So God created man
in his own image, in the image of God he
created him; male and female he created them.”
Four points of Just War
are: “just cause,” “right intention-
promoting justice and peace,” “reflecting ROE- Rules of Engagement (for the
military)”; and “action after war, helping rebuild.”
He also said his
understanding of life and death as a Christian is that in death we transition
to being in the presence of God.
The organizers of the Forum
provided a straw poll of “Pacifism” and “Just War” cookies. You were to take a cookie that either said “P”
on it, or “JW” on it. When audience
members returned to the auditorium, Manny reported that “JW” won with the cookie
count. Interestingly, though, with the
QR code they provided, each audience member was able to answer survey questions. Manny Garcia reported that (and showed by bar
graph) that Strong Pacifism, Leaning Pacifism, Leaning Just War, and Strong
Just War, were all about equal! We also
answered in words, as audience members answered the same questions the
panelists were tasked with answering.
A few questions from the
audience, which Manny Garcia moderated, included questions about Palestine and
freedom fighting; how did speakers interpret Jesus overturning the tables at
the Temple, recorded in the Bible. Brian
Terrell spoke about that being an example of nonviolent action. Tim Hadley spoke about that being a support
for action in the face of injustice.
It was an enriching
experience, and I am glad I was able to be a part of this event as a spectator!
Christine Sheller is Editor
and Coordinator at Iowa Peace Network.
She is an M. Div. graduate of Bethany Theological Seminary.
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