By Lysa Allman-Baldwin
Conflict is an everyday reality for many nations. Around the world, many fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers, and sons and daughters are serving or supporting the armed services.
Unity's Joint Statement for Peace says, “Unity stands for peace in the presence of conflict; for love in the presence of hatred; for forgiveness in the presence of injury … [We] urge all nations, their leaders and their people to … pursue peace, not war. … Unity stands for peace in our lifetime.”
So how can one participate in or support military action, while advocating for peace?
Soldiers for Peace
During World War II, the Unity movement was faced with this very same question. In 1941, two days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Unity co-founder Charles Fillmore and many others gathered to discuss their attitudes on what they called “the Japanese Crisis.” A document recording the opinions shared that day reveals that although opposed to war, they believed Unity could still serve and support the war efforts while advocating for peace.
“We are all soldiers in the Lord. We know that no great victory is ever gained in the world about us, nor within our own characters, except … based upon Spiritual law. … But we are cooperating on a PEACE basis.”
Still, there were those with doubts. One woman asked if preparing bandages would create thoughts of wounds and injury. “If we are called upon to make bandages, what better thing can we do than put the HEALING THOUGHTS IN THOSE BANDAGES!” responded Lowell Fillmore, eldest son of Charles and Myrtle Fillmore.
“Instead of saying, ‘Oh, isn't it terrible!' Think, all these people are going to be healed. Say: ‘This bandage is filled with the healing power of God's love, and this will heal and protect anyone who needs it.'”
Rev. Tom Thorpe, faculty member at Unity Institute and Seminary says, “Some people claim that doing anything to support a war effort is giving approval to it and feeding the element of human consciousness that perpetuates it. Just as certainly, strong arguments can be made in support of the Unity leaders' statement after Pearl Harbor that it is possible to actively participate in a just war effort while continuing to advocate for peace.”
Thorpe notes that Unity has always sought to provide a practical response to real-life situations, and “armed conflict is a real-life situation,” he says. “Unity's response, as I interpret it, focuses on responsibility to the community AND emphasizes the responsibility of each individual to continue his own work in consciousness.”
Service Through Christ Consciousness
According to Rev. Kelly Isola, a Unity minister and certified peaceworker for Unity Worldwide Ministries, peace is not the absence of conflict. It is standing in peace despite the conflict. “Being a peacemaker is simply being a nonanxious presence,” Isola says. “It's about being coherent in our hearts, tapping into our wisdom, and connecting with every person at the level of universal needs. This is compassion. Every person has the need to be honored, valued, acknowledged, and loved—to have peace of mind and happy lives.”
By connecting in this way, Isola says, we can promote peace in the presence of conflict. “We become connected to all life, not separate from one another. Just like Jesus said, ‘We are in the earth, but not of it.'”
Rev. John Strickland, senior minister at Atlanta Unity Church, says that one can be opposed to armed conflict and still serve their country and pray for peace. ”Unity stands for peace and believes in the sacredness of all life. We see the divinity in all beings, even those who disagree with our views, and even those who would seek to do us harm and destroy our way of life.”
Strickland continues: "There have been Unity students who have, as a matter of conscience, chosen not to serve in the armed forces. And there have been others who have served admirably in the armed forces. Unity has always encouraged everyone to pray and follow the guidance they receive. I believe that the finest soldiers have always sought peace first."
A Prayer for Peace
During the Association for Global New Thought's Season for Nonviolence, please join Unity in promoting peace by affirming this prayer by Rev. Gail Dobert, director of Unity's Telephone Prayer Ministry, Silent Unity.
There is One Presence and One Power we call God in which we live and move and have our very being. From this place of Oneness, we remember the love we have for our country and for those who have served and are serving in our military. Those who have given their human life in service to our country are eternally alive in Spirit and in Truth and we honor their memory deeply. Those who have served and are actively serving we honor with our love and appreciation for their dedication, bravery and honor. We see a time when all weapons are laid down, all soldiers are called home and only love prevails. And so it is, Amen.
Request prayer support from Silent Unity.
Read Gandhi's Peace Prayers From the World Religions.
Listen to a podcast of a related discussion, "Pacifism or the ‘Just War' Theory: Which Works for You?" on the program Let's Talk About It on Unity Online Radio.
