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Thursday, October 29, 2026Oct 29

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Letter to the editors: Chattanooga Quakers against war in Iran

AP Photo by Hadi Mizban / Members from the Popular Mobilization Forces attend the funeral of fighters who were killed, according to their statement, in a U.S.-Israel  airstrike, in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, March 19, 2026.
AP Photo by Hadi Mizban / Members from the Popular Mobilization Forces attend the funeral of fighters who were killed, according to their statement, in a U.S.-Israel airstrike, in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, March 19, 2026. AP Photo by Hadi Mizban / Members from the Popular Mobilization Forces attend the funeral of fighters who were killed, according to their statement, in a U.S.-Israel airstrike, in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, March 19, 2026.

The Quaker stance on the war in Iran

No, no, no! The Quaker testimony against war dates back to the 1600s when England was in a civil war, and the Religious Society of Friends, commonly called Quakers, wrote a letter to the king stating they would not take up arms against another person or government. Quakers believed then and still believe that war and violence are contrary to the teachings of Christ and the divine light within us all. Chattanooga Friends Meeting says NO to the current war in Iran and all wars.

The Trump administration has bombed boats in the Caribbean “suspected” of drug trafficking, killing their occupants, without any proof. We consider that to be murder. It invaded Venezuela, just for the purpose of a regime change. It has allowed Israel to bomb Gaza, destroying the entirety of the infrastructure while killing thousands of humans — Muslims, Christians and others. Now, the Trump administration has invaded Iran for reasons unknown (the reasons keep changing). This invasion has killed thousands of people, including innocent men, women, and children, and it may lead us into a world war. When will our United States legislators, including Rep. Fleischmann, Sen. Blackburn and Sen. Hagerty, stand up against this president?

Charles Jones

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