Mennonites

Paper Summary:

The paper explains how many Christians and non-Christians have opposed war throughout the centuries, because they loved the earth and respected other people. The paper discusses the Mennonites with a strong argument in support of their struggles for a peaceful existence in a violent world. In conclusion, the paper explains that it is difficult to generalize about the Mennonite and Brethren in Christ experience on peace, because of the theological diversity in their churches. It explains that both these groups are aware that peace is an emphasis in the Anabaptist tradition, but that they have different ways of interpreting that emphasis.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Committed to Peace
The Historic Peace Tradition
Mennonites and War
Relationship to the Dominant Culture
Mennonite Peacemaking Institutions
Conclusion
Endnotes/Bibliography

From the Paper:

"This relationship to the dominant culture is reflected in the way Mennonites and Brethren in Christ in North America think about peace. For some, peace is interpreted primarily as something individual and personal, namely as "peace with God." And so a commitment to peace does not necessarily tell us anything about how to participate in society. But for others, peace is interpreted as having social and political aspects. If one is going to live a peaceful lifestyle, then one does not get involved in all aspects of the society. For example, most Mennonites would have reservations about serving in the military and doing police work. For a few Mennonites, their commitment to peace means not paying taxes that go to support the military, even though this is illegal."

More papers on Mennonites:

• Term Paper # 98303 : "Mennonites"
• Term Paper # 98307 : "Russian Mennonites"
• Book Review # 75436 : "Timothy George's "The Theology of the Reformers" "

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