In the Spirit of the 1660 Declaration
We, who are called Friends, bearing witness to the Inward Light, do solemnly declare our commitment to peace and to the removal of all causes of violence and oppression. From the beginning, Friends have testified against war and bloodshed among men and women. Today, we are also led to see that the same Spirit which forbids us to take up arms against one another forbids us to take part in cruelty, harm, or the shedding of blood of any sentient being.
Our Testimony
That which we are moved to declare is this:
- All sentient beings have the same rights to life, body autonomy and the fruits of their labours and any attempts to elevate humans above others is speciesist and inherently wrong.
- That the Spirit, which leads us into peace, calls us away from all practices that do violence to life, whether human or animal.
- That we cannot in good conscience contribute to the destruction of sentient beings, nor support systems that exploit them for gain, pleasure, or convenience.
- That the Light, which shines in every person, is also reflected in the lives of other creatures, and in the beauty of the creation we are entrusted to cherish.
Our Witness
Therefore, we cannot join in wars, nor can we join in the violence of slaughterhouses, laboratories, or any trade which profits from the suffering of others. We desire to live peaceably with all, extending compassion and justice to the whole community of life.
We seek to walk in humility, knowing that peace is not only the absence of weapons but the presence of love and reverence for all beings.
Our Calling
We are persuaded that the way of peace is the way of truth. To live faithfully in this calling, we shall:
- Choose nourishment, clothing, and daily living that do not depend on harm.
- Work for a world where compassion extends beyond our species.
- Bear witness, by word and deed, that peace is possible when we see the sacredness of all life.
And so, in simplicity and sincerity, we commend this testimony:
That in a spirit of peace, we renounce all violence, against human or animal, and commit ourselves to live in that life and power which takes away the occasion of all wars, all murder and all explotation of sentient beings.
May all beings know peace!
Aroha nui,
Tūruapō ❣
23 Aug 2025 (GMT +13)