" .....would the Brethren have simply stood by and watched their family and friends be slaughtered? If you read the details of the famous Hochstetler Indian massacre in Berks County during the French & Indian War that is exactly what happened. Jacob would not fire his weapon, resulting in the death of two children and his wife as well as the capture of himself and two other children. Jacob and his family were Amish. Pacifism was also the standard for the Early Christian Church. That didn't change until the fourth Century, after Constantine's conversion. The Church's position on pacifism changed with the onslaught of barbarian invaders, who were pillaging the country and burning churches. Bill Thomas -----Original Message----- From: brethren-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:brethren-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Ron Snowden Sent: Wednesday, July 02, 2008 12:43 PM To: brethren@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [BRE] Pietists & Anabaptists I, too, have had some difficulty with the use of the terms Pietists and Anabaptists--and would enjoy a good explanation. Recently I spent some time with a Brethren couple in Indiana--whom Merle knows--and left with much confusion over his belief in pacifism. He, seeming like others responding on this forum, take a certain pride in being a pacifist and I wonder how they view the aggressors of the world. Yesterday we learned that Daniel Boone killed only three indians--but on the Ohio frontier would the Brethren have simply stood by and watched their family and friends be slaughtered? This is a serious question, not solicitous nor trying to provoke a response. Ron Snowden Orem, Utah ------------------------ Search the Archives at http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/BRETHREN ------------------------ Support Our Sponsoring Agency The Fellowship Of Brethren Genealogists (FOBG) For further information contact Ron McAdams mailto:McAdamsr@hotmail.com ------------------------ ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to BRETHREN-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message