Quakers

I’m not a Christian – at least not one of the God-believing variety – but if I was one, I think I’d be a quaker. Their commitment to peace and non-violence is admirable – but perhaps not unusual, the Jains, after all, won’t harm a bug – but it’s their active commitment to social justice, to putting their believes into action, which makes me respect them so much.
Quakers believe in equality among human beings, and have done so since they were founded in the 17th century. That belief led them to be deeply involved in the struggle to abolish slavery -including the running of the underground railroad which helped escaped slaves find freedom. In WWI they founded the American Friends Committee to allow Quakers to help ameliorate the miseries of a war, mostly by helping refugees. Since then AFC has become a force for peace and justice worldwide and has been awarded the Nobel Prize.
As a human rights activist, I run into Quakers everywhere. Indeed, like Tom Fox, they go where other activists fear to tread. Their courage and commitment awes me – but also inspires me, not just in my work but to be a better person altogether.