Minute in Support of
Muslims in America

Minute in Response to the Wisconsin Budget Crisis

Minute In Support Of
Gender Equality

Minute Concerning
Pre-emptive
War against Iraq

Minute Objecting to
Building of Drone Support Facility

Public Minutes approved by MMM

► Minute of Support for Muslims in America◄

We stand with Muslims in America and affirm their right to worship and to build houses of worship in this country without harassment.  As Friends (Quakers) we are called to “answer that of God in everyone.”  The Society of Friends gives us many examples of this practice with respect to the Muslim world.  The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) has a long history of working with people on all sides of conflict.  AFSC currently has an office in East Jerusalem and supports young Israeli peace activists challenging militarism in their society, and the AFSC Palestinian Youth Program in the West Bank and Gaza helps Palestinian youth to become contributing citizens in their communities.  The Christian and Interfaith Relations Committee of Friends General Conference has recently joined in a dialogue with Muslim scholars around our common acceptance of the two great commandments: “Love thy God” and “Love thy neighbor.”

Quakers have benefited from the protections of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America which begins “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof….”  Today we are witness to the persecution and marginalization of Muslims in America by people who do not understand Islam as a religion, by those who blame all Muslims for violence perpetrated by a few, and by those who exploit these fears and prejudices.

It is important for us to state our support for Muslims’ right to worship.  But we also recognize that the existing fear and stigma can only be overcome by increased personal contact between Muslim and non-Muslim Americans.  Madison Friends Meeting has begun a dialogue with local Muslims in order to better understand the varieties of Muslim faith and experience.  We pledge to continue this dialog in our search for truth and for common positive values of peace and tolerance.  We invite other faith communities to join with us.

Minute approved at Meeting for Business, December 5, 2010

► Minute in Response to the Wisconsin Budget Crisis◄

The Madison Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) is deeply grieved about Gov Walker’s budget proposals, the manner in which they were proposed, the process by which some were approved, and the growing divisiveness among Wisconsin legislators and citizens that has accompanied them.  Friends traditionally value responsible stewardship of financial resources.  We do not, however, support the proposed solutions to our budget problems, because we believe that the proposed short-term savings will lead to unacceptable long-term costs.  We believe that public education, worker’s rights, care of the earth, accessible health care, and services and supports for the most vulnerable are important functions of the government.  The experience of our Meeting is that not only the people we personally know and love, but all citizens of Wisconsin, will be hurt by this budget.

Wisconsin is rich in resources, including the creativity of our people.  We believe that through respectful dialogue and honest negotiation Wisconsin can rebuild a thriving economy.  In order to prevent an even greater concentration of power, that process of dialogue and negotiation needs to be increasingly democratic, participatory, open and transparent.  There is a particular need to include voices not traditionally heard in debates at the Capitol.  More creative and equitable ways can be found, including increasing revenue sources, to address our state’s economic problem.  We call on legislators and citizens alike to reach out to one another and to listen deeply to each other’s concerns.

Minute approved at the Called Meeting for Business, March 13, 2011

► Minute In Support Of Gender Equality ◄

In several states recently, citizens have voted to move forward with amendments to state constitutions to define marriage so as to exclude same sex couples from the sanctity and benefits of marriage. Two major networks have refused to air advertisements in which one of our country's major Christian denominations declares that all are welcome, including gays and lesbians, stating that the ad is too controversial. As a community of faith the Madison Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) finds these recent events troubling, and we believe that we can speak from experience regarding the inclusion of gays, lesbian, and transgender individuals, couples, and families in the spiritual life of our community.

In 1977, a nationwide Quaker organization called Friends for Gay and Lesbian Concerns was formed to provide voice to previously disenfranchised and suppressed homosexuals and their allies. In 1978, the American Friends Service Committee added gays to their affirmative action plan. In 1987, Madison Quakers wrote a position statement, which we call a `minute', to affirm equal status in marriage. In that minute. it was stated: "Madison Monthly Meeting . . . intend[s] to follow the same customary and careful process of arriving at clearness for all couples who wish to unite under our care. At every stage we intend to treat all couples with the same respect, the same care, and the same status." We took these steps, in part, because we believe that there is that of God in all people and that the voice of all is sacred. Love, honesty, commitment, and compassion are the measures of a successful and fulfilling relationship in love and community, not sexual orientation or gender identity.

In response to the current environment, in which the voices and gifts of lesbian, gay, and transgender individuals are being suppressed in government, the media, and in religious institutions, we are moved to speak out. We affirm that spiritual gifts are not distributed with regard to sexual orientation or gender identity. Our experience has been that the spiritual quality of our faith and practice has been enriched over these years by the full participation and leadership of lesbian and gay Friends.

We affirm our commitment to remain an inclusive community of faith and to acknowledge how enriched our spiritual life has been because of this. We celebrate the inclusion of individuals, couples, or families in all aspects of the life of our Meeting and provide care and nurture without regard to sexual orientation or gender identity. We will work to support the rights of same sex couples within the State of Wisconsin.

The January 6, 2005 Meeting for Business approved the Meeting Clerk writing this minute and distributing it as appropriate.

 ►Minute Concerning Pre-emptive War against Iraq ◄

We, the Madison, Wisconsin, Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, observe with deep concern the rising tension between the United States of America and Iraq, including our U.S. government's assertion of the possible need for a 'pre-emptive' war.

We wholeheartedly oppose such a war, waged for any reason. We believe the current conflict can be resolved if we join in a spirit of reconciliation and love and build bridges through peaceful, good faith efforts. Therefore, we call upon the leaders and the people of Iraq, the United States, and all nations to begin dialogue now to construct the common ground that can take away the occasion for war and take away war itself.

This minute was approved at the September 5, 2002 Meeting for Business and incorporates the subsequent minor final editing requested of the Peace and Social Concerns committee.

► Minute Objecting to the Building of a Drone Support Facility at Volk Field◄
Written to the Governor of Wisconsin, President of the State Senate, Speaker of the State Assembly, Members of the State Legislature, Chair of the State Building Commission, the Adjutant General of the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs and the Wisconsin Air National Guard at Volk Field.

We strongly object to the proposed $8 million, 10,298 square-foot building at Volk Field to provide training, maintenance, operations and storage space for the RQ-7 Shadow 200 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).  The Shadow 200's camera is used to identify targets for the armed Predator drones being used in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as Yemen and Gaza.

As Quakers we object to war as a means of solving conflict and we work toward preventing the occasion for war.  The use of UAVs, and drones particularly, does not sit well with us.  It creates distance between the operators and the people being watched, making it “easier” to ignore their humanity and to kill them.  It increases the likelihood that noncombatants will be mistakenly targeted.

In the six years that drone strikes have been used, researchers at the New America Foundation estimate that between 1,283 and 1,971 people have been killed.  Many more are wounded including children.  In July 2009, the Brookings Institution released a report stating that in the United States-led drone attacks in Pakistan ten civilians died for every militant killed.  As more civilians are killed or wounded, recruiting of militants increases and U.S. diplomatic efforts to prevent or curtail military action are undermined.  Any government that is seriously interested in reducing military interventions would not be well served to invest in increased use of UAVs.

The state is being asked to contribute $415,000 toward the cost of this 8 million dollar facility - at a time when we have a budget shortfall.  Even if you don’t agree with our stance against war you must take into consideration the use of our state and federal tax dollars when there are pressing needs at home - food and shelter for children and adults who are in need, including the one quarter of our homeless citizens who are veterans.

We ask that you not allow construction here in Wisconsin.

Minute approved at the May 1, 2011 Meeting for Business