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Archiver > BRETHREN > 2008-07 > 1215018371


From: "William Thomas" <>
Subject: Re: [BRE] Pietists & Anabaptists
Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2008 13:06:11 -0400
In-Reply-To: <815E5CB0-BDE3-4C41-BD66-28E85B6FA5A4@mac.com>


" .....would the Brethren have simply stood by and watched their family
and friends be slaughtered?


If you read the details of the famous Hochstetler Indian massacre in Berks
County during the French & Indian War that is exactly what happened. Jacob
would not fire his weapon, resulting in the death of two children and his
wife as well as the capture of himself and two other children. Jacob and
his family were Amish.

Pacifism was also the standard for the Early Christian Church. That didn't
change until the fourth Century, after Constantine's conversion. The
Church's position on pacifism changed with the onslaught of barbarian
invaders, who were pillaging the country and burning churches.

Bill Thomas


-----Original Message-----
From: [mailto:]
On Behalf Of Ron Snowden
Sent: Wednesday, July 02, 2008 12:43 PM
To:
Subject: Re: [BRE] Pietists & Anabaptists

I, too, have had some difficulty with the use of the terms Pietists
and Anabaptists--and would enjoy a good explanation.

Recently I spent some time with a Brethren couple in Indiana--whom
Merle knows--and left with much confusion over his belief in
pacifism. He, seeming like others responding on this forum, take a
certain pride in being a pacifist and I wonder how they view the
aggressors of the world.

Yesterday we learned that Daniel Boone killed only three indians--but
on the Ohio frontier would the Brethren have simply stood by and
watched their family and friends be slaughtered?

This is a serious question, not solicitous nor trying to provoke a
response.

Ron Snowden
Orem, Utah

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