The Religious Society of Friends.
Can anyone help me with information about this Christian Group?
Thank you.
I can help with some information... there's one around here and these were some links on their church site:
American Friends Service Committee | Quaker values in action
"AFSC is a Quaker organization devoted to service, development, and peace programs throughout the world. Our work is based on the belief in the worth of every person, and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice. "
"Who we are
The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) is a Quaker organization that promotes lasting peace with justice, as a practical expression of faith in action. Drawing on continuing spiritual insights and working with people of many backgrounds, we nurture the seeds of change and respect for human life that transform social relations and systems.
Read our complete mission and values statement
Board of Directors | Staff Leadership | Organizational structure
History
AFSC has more than nine decades of experience building peace in communities worldwide. Founded in the crucible of World War I by Quakers who aimed to serve both humanity and country while being faithful to their commitment to nonviolence, AFSC has worked throughout the world in conflict zones, in areas affected by natural disasters, and in oppressed communities to address the root causes of war and violence.
In 1947, AFSC was a co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, on behalf of all Quakers for our work
from the nameless to the nameless
.
Read more about our history
Read reflections by people affected by our work
Our work today
From our experience, we know that peacemaking requires more than merely advocating against one war or another. Real peace is more than the absence of war. Rather, we need to change the culture, situations, and systems that lead to violence.
AFSC knows that miracles can happen when we build the capacity for peace person-by-person, community-by-community. When people understand the terrible consequences of violence and witness realistic alternatives, they come together as a powerful force to address the underlying causes and lay the foundation for lasting peace.
See a breakdown of our programs on the Our Work page
Look at some of our publications past and present
Learn more about AFSC's finances
"
About AFSC | American Friends Service Committee
"
Our work
The American Friends Service Committees programs touch a wide range of issues, countries, and communities. What unites them is the unfaltering belief in the essential worth of every human being, non-violence as the way to resolve conflict, and the power of love to overcome oppression, discrimination, and violence.
Fostering Peace in Communities
Primarily in urban settings, AFSC uses conflict resolution, summit meetings between rival groups, and simple projects such as gardens to bring together diverse elements to reduce violence.
Learn more
Our work | American Friends Service Committee
So those are their interests... human rights issues...
"
AFSC History
The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) was founded in 1917 during World War I to give young conscientious objectors ways to serve without joining the military or taking lives. They drove ambulances, ministered to the wounded, and stayed on in Europe after the armistice to rebuild war-ravaged communities.
Following that modest beginning, AFSC has responded in numerous ways to human suffering such as:
- Feeding thousands of children in Germany and Austria after World War I
- Helping distressed Appalachian mining communities find alternative means to make a living in the 1930s
- Negotiating with the Gestapo in Germany to aid Jewish refugees
- After World War II, sending aid teams to India, China, and Japan
- Giving aid to civilians on both sides of the Vietnam War and providing draft counseling to thousands of young men
- Sponsoring conferences for young diplomats in emerging African democracies
- Establishing economic development programs in Asia, Africa, and Latin America from the 1970s to the present
- Providing extensive support to the modern U.S. civil rights movement and public school desegregation
- Working with numerous communities such as Native Americans, immigrants, migrant workers, prisoners, and low-income families on education and justice issues
- Building peaceful communities all over the world
In 1947, along with British Quakers, AFSC received the Nobel Peace Prize, which recognized our work
from the nameless to the nameless
."
AFSC History | American Friends Service Committee
- Friend's Committee on National Legislation (Peace, justice, immigration seem to be their interests): FCNL
Salt and Light - YouTube
"The documentary
Salt and Light, a vivid video story of the Sixth World Conference of Friends, comes thanks to four Friends from Pacific Yearly Meeting." a la their website
Pacific Yearly Meeting | Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
FWCC Section of the Americas Programs
From Wikipedia:
Quakers - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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So... this is the social justice, peace-loving, pro-immigration, anti-slavery, humanitarian, anti-segregation, pro-integration, pro-affirmative action (liberal) line... which won a Noble Peace Prize.
Though, there are divisions it seems. The above seems to be typical, however.
That is the information I found, hope it helps.