Statement on September 11, 2001

Statement from the Chapel Hill Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quaker)

On September 11, our country became the target of terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of thousands. In the days that have followed, members of the Chapel Hill Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quaker) have struggled to discern God's will for us as a people of faith.

This is a time for grieving. We grieve for the thousands of innocent people who died and for their families. We grieve for innocent people attacked out of fear and anger merely because of their religion or ethnic background. We grieve for the men and women in the military and their families who now face separation and extreme danger. We grieve for those living in fear of retaliation. We grieve also for those who express hate through violence or words. While we acknowledge that some people, in their grief, wish to lash out quickly with more violence, we as Friends believe it is essential for us all to think more deeply about our response.

This is a time for looking within. George Fox, the founder of the Religious Society of Friends, said that we should "live in the virtue of that life and power that takes away the occasion of all wars" and that we are called to "walk cheerfully over the earth answering to that of God in everyone." We have fallen short. Our rich nation has done too little to answer the cries of the hungry, the victims of exploitation, the fearful. We have too often failed to understand and respect other people's cultures and beliefs.

This is a time for asking difficult questions that may lead us to create a world of greater harmony, understanding and peace.   Why are some of our brothers and sisters filled with such hatred that they would destroy innocent lives and take their own in the process? How did we become so distant from those who worship God in a different manner?  Would increased understanding of Islam reduce distrust and suspicion and improve the chances of peace in the world?   Answers to these questions will require an honest look at our international economic and political policies, as well as individual soul-searching. Asking questions that have only military answers, however, can only deepen the gulf that divides us.

This is a time for action. As concerned people, we must act in many ways. As Friends, we caution our leaders, in the words of the second verse of America the Beautiful, "Confirm thy soul in self-control..."  We must listen to the voices of others in the world calling for justice and respect. We must speak out against the use of violence to achieve any ends.   We must resist efforts to remove constitutional rights. We must encourage dialogue at both the local and international levels to determine how we can influence communities in a positive economic and social manner.

We must all support one another as we face a changing and uncertain world. As Friends, we long for a peaceful world and hold faithfully to our belief that pursuing military solutions is no way to bring lasting peace.