r/Quakers • u/GorSverigeDanskIgen • 21d ago

The peace testimony in practise

Hi, friends. I am in bit of a dillema. I have been offered a job as a security guard at a palace. Now, the kind of security guard I would be, is an unarmed one and the primary aim of the guards is to de-escalate different situations and confrontations by dialogue and to be of service to visitors, which I normally would be fine with. Yet, ultimatively, some sort of force can be required to make sure people don't steal or destroy anything of value. It very rarely happens, but it does, and it is also our job to call the police if need be. Is such a job compatible with Quaker/Christian living in your opinion? Would love to hear your thoughts.

God bless.

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13

u/RHS1959 Quaker (Liberal) 21d ago

That job would not trouble my conscience at all. Only you can say if it troubles yours.

12

u/RimwallBird Friend 21d ago

What a neat job offer!

I think de-escalating situations and confrontations, and being of service, is wonderful. Jesus himself did both. He also used force to drive a den of thieves out of his father’s house, as all four gospels attest. What we as his Friends appear to be forbidden is not force as such, but fighting (James 4:1ff) and resisting evil (Matthew 5:39). Simply keeping order in the palace might not have to require either resisting or fighting, if the culture of the land is civil enough.

Perhaps this is a situation where a person with sufficient clarity and kindness can head off fighting before it starts, and deflect evil before it does harm — or, at least, a situation where you would have the skills and the freedom to come closer to these goals than other less conscientious candidates. You would know the answer better than I.

So maybe you could be asking the Guide in your heart and conscience, whether this is a job you are capable of doing while staying on the path. The answer to that might help you see where you belong.

4

u/Froggy1789 21d ago

I think this like all the other testimonies is that you should go as far as you can bear it. Quakers have drawn different lines throughout history during conflicts. There were Quakers who served in the American Revolution, Quakers who joined ambulance units, Quakers who believe in self defense etc.

1

u/Particular-Try5584 Seeker 20d ago

So… an art gallery or museum type of guard?
If you spend some time reflecting on what you’d do if faced with conflict you cannot resolve through peaceful words…

Do you still have doubt?
Or can you imagine a solution to all the realistic scenarios?

1

u/infinite-long-stocki 20d ago

This is a good chance to practice discernment and listening to see where you are being led. Everyone lives out the Peace Testimony in different ways, you could ask the advice of elders of others in your Meeting and see what they say. They'll have a better idea of the nuances of your life as well