Short answer to the question: Do you have to be a pacifist to be
a
Quaker?
In a word - No, although a large proportion of Quakers consider
themselves pacifists.
But the "peace testimony" - dating from the very beginnings of
Quakerism - is upheld by Quakers of all theological persuasions all
around the world.
"Whilst some Quakers have chosen to fight in wars across the
centuries,
outward war as a means of resolving conflicts and creating peace has
been rejected by Quakers throughout their history... Quakers have built
a reputation for war relief work,
reconstruction and conflict transformation.
From The Quakers - a very
short introduction by Dandelion, OUP 2008
See much more on the Quaker Peace Testimony
here.
