Page 46 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 12 February 1991
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Commonwealth of Australia and a subject of Queen Elizabeth II. Since 1971, for 20 years, I have been a member of the Society of Friends.
I do not wish to speak directly about the so-called Gulf war or west Asia war. I do support the general, positive, peace related aspects of paragraph 3 of Mr Jensen's motion; but there is no way that I could support some other parts of that motion. I also, at this time, wish to congratulate and thank the Chief Minister for his positive and peace-loving statement made to the World Council of Churches at the excellent reception he held for those leaders.
I have to make it clear to this Assembly that at this very moment I am actively involved in a large group under the general title of Network for Peace. I went, with two other members of that group - the other two were not Quakers - to see Senator Gareth Evans, and we delivered over 12,000 signatures, after the war began, in opposition to that war. We are having, this coming Sunday, at 1 o'clock, at our Quaker meeting, a large meeting at which all the Quaker delegates to the World Council of Churches Assembly will be present, to oppose the war and to put forward reasons for opposing the war.
In connection with this specific motion, I ask that all members recognise, even if they do not agree with, the formal and longstanding position of the Society of Friends, usually known as Quakers - a formal position dating at least from 1661, as I have yet to indicate, but, I would argue, 2,000 years ago, as Mr Moore has already suggested.
Now, a very brief word - forgive me - on the Society of Friends. The full title is the Religious Society of Friends. There is that magnificent body of Christians known as the Society of Jesus. I wish, in a way, that we had SF after our names, because it is the Religious Society of Friends of Jesus. Mr Moore has already made reference to two sections of scripture. Bear with me, please. This is from the gospel according to St Luke:
But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. If anyone hits you on one cheek, let him hit the other one too ... If you love only the people who love you, why should you receive a blessing? ... And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you receive a blessing? ... Love your enemies and do good to them; lend and expect nothing back.
I quote from a Catholic approved version of the Bible that 13 of us received here two years ago. Mr Moore has made other references.
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