Simple Living --- by Elizabeth Glew

Why is a peace church so interested in simple living?

The Church of the Brethren has been a peace church for over 300 years. We strive to continue the work of Jesus simply, peacefully, together. We believe that war is never the right answer and violence is not a good solution to any problem. We are conscientious objectors who do not join the military or participate in war because we believe that God does not want us to harm each other. Instead we are very active in relief work, seeking to heal rather than to destroy, because we believe that God does want us to help each other. War and violence are not what God wants for creation.

As part of our effort to continue the work of Jesus, we make a concerted effort to keep our lives simple. A simple life is not necessarily the same as an easy life. A simple life is one that eliminates the unnecessary in order to focus on the important. What is important and what is necessary are entirely individual decisions. Each person must follow his or her own conscience in making these choices. As examples, some things that most Brethren find important are:

• doing the work to which God calls us 

• living in community and supporting each other

 • worshipping together 

• helping others 

• making peace

Some things that most Brethren find unnecessary are:

 • keeping up with the latest fashions 

• always driving a new car

 • belonging to exclusive clubs

• owning the most advanced electronic gadgets

 • frequently eating at restaurants

 • wearing expensive jewelry

Simple living is an integral part of our work for peace because, by ignoring the unnecessary, we free our time, energy, and money for the important. The personal and material resources we save by not “keeping up with the Joneses” can be devoted to working for peace in our communities and in the world.

We are also committed to simple living because it reduces our impact on the natural environment. Depletion of natural resources is a major cause of violence and war. When vital resources become scarce, individuals and communities become desperate and are more likely to turn to violence in an effort to meet their basic needs. By living simply, we leave more available for others, reducing their need to resort to violence.

Much violence results from injustice. The strong take from the weak. The powerful ignore the needs of the powerless. The rich get richer while the poor get poorer. These situations often induce the weak, the powerless, and the poor to behave violently in an effort to obtain justice for themselves or for their children. By living simply, we reduce our contribution to such injustices, thereby reducing violence in our world.