Men of War, Men of Peace: Brethren Ideologies and the Civil War

Nonviolent religious groups have often stood apart from general society by choice. Specifically, Brethren beliefs and actions tended to resist mainstream culture, and the degree that the religion clings to its principles speaks to the commitment of its members. No period makes these commitments more prominent than in times of war, where patriotism and propaganda often serve to push public opinion in favor of military action. This paper will focus on Brethren ideals of non-resistance in the Civil War era by studying a small sampling of men in Pennsylvania and Maryland. How did their religion shape their actions, and how different were those actions in comparison to the broader population? Did the war have any effect on their religious beliefs in turn, and if so, how