Mennonites

Nonresistance During the Revolutionary War

"We are not at liberty in conscience to take up arms to conquer our enemies."

Did you know this?

Some Americans supported neither side in the Revolution. Instead, as Mennonite and German Baptist leaders said in 1775, “We have dedicated ourselves to serve all men in everything that can be helpful to the preservation of men’s lives, but…we are not at liberty in conscience to take up arms to conquer our enemies, but rather to pray to God, who has power in heaven and on earth, for us and them.” Chief among these nonresistant Christians were the Quakers, Mennonites, German Baptists, Moravians, and Schwenkfelders.

Most nonresistant Christians were quite content with their lot as British subjects. As three Mennonite bishops in Pennsylvania wrote in 1773, “Through God’s mercy we enjoy unlimited freedom in both civil and religious matters.” Ironically, once the fight for liberty started, the freedom of nonresistant Christians became sharply limited.

Source: Anabaptists: US Anabaptists during the Revolutionary War

(Excerpted from the fifth grade social studies course produced by Christian Light Publications.)

Timo Miller Update

Here are some excerpts from the first page of an Associated Press piece I read a few minutes ago:

Now, what started as a custody battle over little Isabella Miller-Jenkins has turned into a global manhunt, with indications that Mennonite pastors and other faith-based supporters may have helped hide the two in Nicaragua and are now coming to the aid of one who the FBI says helped Miller.

Eager to keep the girl away from Jenkins and what they consider a dangerous and immoral lifestyle, they liken their roles to that of underground helpers aiding runaway slaves.

“God’s Holy Law never recognizes a gay marriage,” said Pablo Yoder, a Mennonite pastor in Nicaragua, in an email message to The Associated Press. “Thus, the Nicaraguan Brotherhood felt it right and good to help Lisa not only free herself from the so called civil marriage and lesbian lifestyle, but especially to protect her nine year old daughter from being abducted and handed over to an active lesbian and a whole-hearted activist.”

[…]

In 2009, two months before the judge ordered the custody change, [Lisa] Miller and the girl flew to Central America and took up residence for an unknown amount of time in Nicaragua before vanishing again.

So says the FBI, which revealed in April that it had arrested Nicaraguan missionary Timothy David “Timo” Miller and charged him with abetting an international kidnapping by helping arrange travel and lodging for the two. He is awaiting trial.

[…]

Timo Miller has pleaded not guilty and is free on $25,000 bail, awaiting trial.

[…]

Yoder, who works the remote village of Waslala, 161 miles from Managua, told The Associated Press she celebrated her daughter’s birthday in his house last year. He wouldn’t say more.

Read the two-page story here A fight over a girl, and God’s law.

At this point, I have no further comments to add to those I’ve already made here.

Tim Miller Case Corrections

Reports have it that Timo Miller (aka, Timothy David Miller) got involved in the Lisa and Isabella Miller case because Lisa attended the church he pastors in the US. As I understand it, that is not true.

  • Tim has never pastored a church in the United States. He pastors a small congregation in Nicaragua.
  • Lisa attended a Baptist church. Timo is not Baptist; rather, he is Beachy (also variously known — I guess — as Amish-Mennonite and Beachy-Amish).

I’ve also seen it reported that Christian Aid Ministries (CAM) was involved in this case. I understand that to be a false report as well. CAM has made it very clear they were not involved with Lisa and Isabella.

Now a few excerpts from some notes by Loyal Martin (Philadelphia, NY) after Timo’s court hearing Monday morning:

  • Tim, Joanna, and the family came in (and departed) with the appointed attorney to help avoid entanglements with the press. They appeared calm and respectful.
  • The courtroom was filled to capacity with support from 3 NY churches, 2 VT churches, and several families from PA.
  • A family support fund is being set up in PA.
  • Charges are being considered against Joanna and her mother as well.

I had this post mostly ready to post late last night, but I held off, awaiting confirmations and clarifications of some details.

This morning I read a piece that says Timo is in prison. No, he isn’t. He’s free on bail.

Mennonite Businesses in Madras

I don’t know how many Mennonite-run businesses have “set up shop” in Madras, Oregon. At least five, I suspect. Be that as it may, this post is about two owned by preachers.

First, because it’s older, is Eagle Bakery. I’ve been to their store in town…and enjoyed the mighty fine eating and atmosphere. Rob may be a conservative Mennonite but I notice in the archives of the local paper that he and his wife Faye have helped an Adventist school. And despite being non-resistant, they’ve also helped in a nice project for some war veterans. I heartily commend them for their generous spirit.

Then there’s the more-recently launched bent-and-dent store, Miller’s Discount Groceries. I’ve never been in their store but I’m looking forward to doing so the next time I’m in town. (I like that kind of store.)

Next time you’re in Madras, how about you do me a favor and stop by both places? You could even tell them, “Mark Roth said to give you his greetings.” I would like that very much. And they might as well. In fact, you might, too. 🙂

If you go to the grocery store (map) first, you’ll be within four blocks from the bakery. (I suspect it works out to the same distance the other way around also.)

Above all, love God!