Further acquaintance with the labors of the Quakers and their works--with Fox, Penn, and especially the work of Dymond (published in 1827)--showed me not only that the impossibility of reconciling Christianity with force and war had been recognized long, long ago, but that this irreconcilability had been long ago proved so clearly and so indubitably that one could only wonder how this impossible reconciliation of Christian teaching with the use of force, which has been, and is still, preached in the churches, could have been maintained in spite of it.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Tolstoy argues that Quaker writings long ago proved Christianity cannot coexist with war, yet churches still preach otherwise.
- In plain terms
- Early Quaker work showed faith and war don't mix, but churches keep ignoring this clear proof.
- What can you take from it?
- Recognize the contradiction between Christian teachings and the use of force.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do institutions maintain beliefs contradicting clear evidence?
- What prevents religious groups from adopting pacifism?
Another view
Tolstoy overlooks theological interpretations that seek to reconcile just war theory with faith.
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