1911 Peace Witness

I have heard many references to the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War I. Supposedly that war was going to end all wars. We still don't seem to have learned that war does not cause peace. We can not seek peace through war. I find it very challenging to integrate God's love into every part of my life, not just when it's convenient, and to try to see everyone through God's eyes. Fortunately God is willing to help me along this path, even when I slowly drag along. Working for peace involves what I do with my time, what I wear, how I use my money, how I interact with others, where I live... I have only started on this path toward peace. I find it reassuring to know that many before me have chosen this path. Below is a statement from Alfred Neave Brayshaw, 1911, Young Adult Friends Conference in Swanwick, England : "Our testimony concerning war is not something that we can put in or leave out just as we like. It is a necessary outcome of our root belief. "Our testimony is not, in the first instance, against the outward act of war, but is a witness to that spirit which makes war impossible. Our testimony against war is worth nothing if we ourselves, in our own private relations with others are cherishing the same spirit which, on a large scale, leads to war between nations. "The Quaker testimony concerning war is based ultimately on the conception of 'that of God in every [one]' to which the Christian, in the presence of evil, is called on to make appeal, following out a line of thought and conduct which, involving suffering as it may do, is in the long run the most likely to reach to the inward witness and change the evil mind into the right mind. This result is not achieved by war. "May not we go away from this place strong for the work that lies before us to put away all things that keep back the work, and together build the Holy City. [May we follow] the way of perfect peace. The highest happiness is not known apart from the fellowship in the sufferings of Christ."

April, 2013 Letter

14 April, 2013

Operations Mgr., Exam SC Support
Internal Revenue Service
1973 N. Rulon White Blvd. M/S 4210
Ogden, UT 84404-0040

Dear ____________,

I received your letter dated Mar. 21, 2013 on the 26th of March. I am sorry that you consider life and death decisions and the Ten Commandments “frivolous.” Your determination that I am being frivolous does not change my deepest beliefs, nor my leading to support life instead of death.

I read your letter and the accompanying brochure thoroughly. Most of the information provided in your letter does not apply to me. I am well aware of my legal obligations, and am not arguing against the payment of taxes. I am simply stating that my conscience does not allow me to disobey God’s law in favor of U.S.A. law. When human laws are made contrary to my understanding of God’s commandments, I do my best to change those laws by legal means, but ultimately I can not keep paying for what I see as murder. I am aware of the possible consequences and if necessary, I will accept my country’s punishments rather than kill people or pay for others to kill people.

I understand that many people see war as a necessity and a legitimate way to protect the people we love. I have come to understand “defense” spending and support of war -- paying for the deaths of thousands of people, most of them civilians – as contrary to God’s commandments to put faith in God first, to love our neighbors as ourselves, and not to kill. I ask you to try to see my point of view. I understand that your job is to collect taxes, not to question their use. However, I see it as a citizen’s duty in a democracy to question our country’s expenditures and the values they reflect, and to hold our country to high standards of behavior.

Regarding some specific points in your letter, here is why I do not see how they apply to this situation :

1) You talk about legal requirements for filing tax returns, and penalties for fraud. I file an accurate, honest tax return every year. I do not lie on my tax returns, and keep receipts and W2s and all other data necessary to prove the accuracy of my annual tax returns.

2) You stated in several ways that you have the right to examine all of my papers and records, and say that you can issue a summons “for ascertaining the correctness of any return filed…” Any IRS official is welcome to view my records. I have nothing to hide.

3) You talk about “people who encourage others to violate our nation’s tax laws by arguing that there is no legal requirement for them to file income tax returns or pay income taxes.” I have never argued this, I have never told others that they aren’t legally required to pay taxes, and no one has told me this. I am perfectly aware of the need to file income tax returns (this is the reason that I do so every year), and I am perfectly aware of legal obligations to pay income taxes. My employer deducts taxes from every paycheck. As stated in previous letters, I approve of the idea of taxes and I want very much to fulfill my legal obligations. Unfortunately, paying all of my taxes involves paying for war, and I can not do this. I have much respect for the law and it pains me deeply to have to take this stand. As I stated above, I will deal with the consequences rather than pay the full amount of war taxes.

4) You state that people who violate the tax laws also may be subject to federal criminal prosecution and imprisonment. So be it. That is better for me than murdering others. I am concerned that your keyword for information on the criminal enforcement program is “fraud.” Fraud is lying. I am not a liar.

5) You talk about the IRS and Department of Justice work against “people who promote or join in abusive and fraudulent tax schemes.” Please explain to me how I am being abusive. I am not paying war taxes because I abhor abuse and violence. Who am I abusing, and how? Regarding fraudulent tax schemes, again, feel free to examine my records. My tax returns are simple and straightforward. I am not scheming against the IRS. The only scheme I am guilty of is an open and honest attempt to change USA law and change USA war-making, but that has not changed my annual submission of honest tax returns.

6) The brochure you enclosed refers to myths. One of these myths is that filing violates First Amendment rights based on religious beliefs. Again, I am fully aware of the current law implication that my religious beliefs have nothing to do with my legal obligation to pay for war. I believe this is wrong, but I am aware that it is the law, and I have not said otherwise. However, everyone does have the choice to disobey the law and accept the consequences. When given the awful choice of supporting torture and thousands of deaths through war or going to jail, I’ll take jail. It is certainly not what I want, but it is the lesser of evils, and I have more chance of affecting change in prison than I do paying for war.

This year, once again, the Federal tax amount I owe ($656.00) will be paid to Friends Peace Teams, a remarkable organization bringing together warring peoples and working in violent areas to defuse tensions and prevent future wars. From families to communities and entire countries (DR of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Colombia, Guatemala, El Salvador, Indonesia, the Phillippines, Kenya…), Friends Peace Teams is demonstrating real change toward building a more peaceful world. As usual, I will send a receipt to show that I am not trying to get out of paying the amount I owe. I just can’t pay it toward continued war-making.

Please tell me : How is giving up claim to all property, risking loss of my job and livelihood, dealing with the higher costs and inconveniences of living without credit or a credit card, and risking Federal imprisonment, “frivolous?”

In peace,
Susan Lee Barton

October, 2012 Letter

26 October, 2012

The Internal Revenue Service
P.O. Box 9052
Andover, Massachusetts 01810-9052

Dear Friends,

On the 15th of April I mailed you a letter with my 2011 tax return, explaining why my conscience will not allow me to pay what my tax return says that I owe. My conscience and faith have not altered in the past 6 months. Paying for war goes against the core of my understanding of God’s will.

War involves murder. Murder is illegal. If I were to hire someone to murder someone else, our government would put me in jail, and yet you are asking me to pay for the murder of hundreds of people in various parts of the world. The fact that my country’s government is asking me to do this does not change the fact that it is wrong. I try to live the ten commandments, including the command not to kill. For me, that commandment includes refusing to pay for killing. Exodus 20:3 (NIV) tells us, “You shall have no other gods before me.” My interpretation of this is that God’s guidance has to come first, even if contrary to human laws.

I wish that I could pay taxes. I like the standard that those of us who can should contribute financially to meet human needs in our own country and beyond. I take my responsibilities as a U.S.A. citizen very seriously, and it grieves me to have to choose between U.S.A. law and my faith. I sincerely hope that a time will come when our government will not force its citizens to make this choice. I also hope that we will stop glorifying war and violence and start using our money to save lives instead of destroying life.

To show that I take my debt seriously, I saved up money for months to get the amount I owed with my tax return, and recently gave a gift to Friends Peace Teams. This organization is doing remarkable work to in violence prevention and trauma healing in several “hot spots” around the world. A copy of my receipt is enclosed.

I look forward to discussing taxes with the IRS and other government representatives.

In peace,
Susan Lee Barton

April, 2012 Letter

17 April, 2012

U.S.A. Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Kansas City, MO 64999-0002

Copies to : Rep. Chaka Fattah, Senator Bob Casey, Senator Patrick J. Toomey, President Barack Obama
To my government representatives,

I am a member of the Religious Society of Friends. Since the 17th century, we Friends have tried to live out our testimony of God’s desire for peace, both within ourselves and with all of God’s children. I am writing to tell you that I can no longer pay for war, and I ask you to do all in your power to change our country’s direction along the war path.

My faith is central in my life. My belief in God’s power to transform ALL of us, no exceptions, and my attempts to follow Jesus’ teachings and commandments, have led me to spend most of my life working for peace and justice. For 29 years as I paid my taxes as required by U.S.A. law, the amount of taxes paid for war has continued to increase. This goes directly against my deeply held religious beliefs, and my conscience will no longer allow me to continue paying. I can not on the one hand say in letters and peace demonstrations that I oppose war, while on the other hand pay for war.

I do not make this decision at all lightly. I know of the good things our government can do with my money. I believe in supporting each other in community, and I see taxes as a method of doing that. I support the idea of paying taxes for peaceful purposes. That is why it pains me to have to take this step. However, I see no other way to stop paying for murder.

I have already paid over 80% of my taxes for 2011. Meanwhile, a long list of human needs in our own country and abroad are going unmet for millions of people. In addition to other actions to work for peace, I am now adding my refusal to write a check for war. As much as I value human laws, I believe that God’s laws must come first, and God tells us, “Thou shalt not kill.”

According to my tax form, I currently owe $548.00. This year I will donate at least $548.00 to Friends Peace Teams, a group working to heal the wounds of war and prevent future wars in various parts of the world.

As my representatives, I urge you to think deeply about what changes need to be made to live out God’s command to love our neighbors.

In peace,
Susan Lee Barton

Shopping Habits

On Wednesday I attended a prayer vigil outside the Allegheny County jail, focussing on the destructive effect of current U.S.A. immigration policies on families. Today I heard that my favorite department store gave money to support a candidate who is outspoken against immigration reform (unless it involves a more militarized border) and against marriage and other civil rights for gays and lesbians. Below is a letter I wrote to Target's corporate headquarters in Minnesota.

"I am very disappointed in Target! I read that you gave a very large amount of money to MN Forward to support Tom Emmer's campaign. Tom Emmer is quite outspoken against human rights for segments of our population including immigrants and gays and lesbians. I have long been very enthusiastic about Target and have encouraged others to shop there because you support the communities where you locate and you support your employees. I usually prefer to use local stores, and Target has long been my exception. I have seen evidence that you care about the communities you are in, and you have good quality products. This recent donation is a far cry from the standards I expect from Target. Your donation is a slap in the face to many people who work and shop in your stores. Your statement said the donation was in support of economic issues. Denying the humanity and civil rights of major segments of the U.S.A. population does NOT help our economy!

"I am sorry to say that I no longer want to shop at Target. I try hard to have my shopping habits match my beliefs. I can not spend my volunteer time working for immigration reform and civil rights for gays and lesbians, and then spend my dollars at a company working against my friends. If I see evidence that you have changed your minds or at least are trying to balance your giving, I will reconsider. I will miss Target, but I miss my friends being deported even more!"

Action Request From Students

Facebook Post Friday, October 2, 2009 at 1:05am

This is not just for Pittsburghers. Everyone, please call!
Please call and get answers from our elected officials, and the University of Pittsburgh chancellor. My main ministry this past week has been to listen, to help people process, and to validate and support victims' experiences. You can help! Just ask questions and listen. The Pitt & CMU student appeal is below.

"The mayor, county executive, Pittsburgh police, and the University of Pittsburgh need to make clear the policies and command structure they had in place that led to the mass arrests (primarily of Pitt & CMU students) on Thursday and Friday nights. Specifically, they need to address the following questions :
1. What were the people in Schenley Plaza, on each of those nights, doing that was illegal?
2. Why were there so many security forces present?
3. Who was in charge, what were the orders, and were they followed?
4. Given that most people have injuries on their backs, were police firing indiscriminately, or were they purposefully firing on people attempting to disperse?
5. Why the violently enforced curfew?

Chancellor Mark Nordenberg : 412-624-4200
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl : 412-255-2626
County Executive Dan Onorato : 412-350-6500 (just announced he wants to be PA governor)
City Police Chief Nate Harper : 412-323-7800
Capitol Switchboard (for your rep. or senator) : 202-224-3121
White House Comment Line : 202-456-1111
White House Switchboard : 202-456-1414"

My Personal Venting

Facebook Post Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 11:54am
I am wondering why the entire country is not rising up in outrage at what happened in Pittsburgh Friday night. I can only assume it is because of the lack of mainstream news coverage, although there is plenty on the web about what happened. If a single crazy person had attacked students, it would have been front-page news everywhere, but a large force of police officers attacking students and others gets almost no press at all. When one public official sexually harasses an employee, women's organizations all over get in an uproar, but when multiple young women felt threatened with rape while under arrest, no one says anything. Does someone have to die in order to get any attention? Friends, this is VERY SERIOUS!! Please spread the word! Ask your elected officials why this happened. Ask what pressure is being put on Pittsburgh for accountability of innocent people hurt and wrongfully arrested. Your town may be next!
I know from my own personal experience of sexual harassment that validation of an experience is crucial in beginning to heal. It is important to hear from others that this is serious and important and that others care.