White Poppy

Are you saying that war is a better way to solve things soon. I wonder if those who we are commemorating by wearing red poppies, and their families and friends, would agree.

I like absent's summary of this debate about the pro's and cons of red or white poppies.

I find myself (as ever) bemused by soontobe's post. Never seen a white poppy or anyone wearing one soon? See it as disrespectful. Do Methodists never mix and mingle with Quakers. Friends (that is Quakers) often wear a white poppy and not in a disrespectful manner either.

No, war is not a better way to solve things.
But sometimes it turns out to be the only way eventually.
And sometimes it is better to get to that point sooner rather than later, as millions of people are suffering, when no peace is found.

While we sit and contemplate, people in war zones suffer.

Again and again, the west has gone to war for oil, and caused untold suffering- whilst ignoring those people who suffer where there is no oil or minerals we need.

Back to poppies, I used to wear both.

how true is it to say the only reason for going to war?
And while in no way condoning war, don't we, and others need oil ?

People in war zones suffer soon because we in the west continue to supply arms to all and sundry. The arms trade needs conflict to maintain and improve its profits.

soon, I now understand why you have scant knowledge of Donald Soper,

Do many people on here ' mix or mingle with Quakers'? I have never met any at all, nor have I seen anyone either wearing or selling white poppies.
We are now seeing the re-emergence of pacifist high horse moral values again .Sigh.

absent's post sums it up very well, I think.
And granjura I agree with what you say about the reasons for going to war.

The other reason I will buy and wear a red poppy is to support the efforts of the RBL to help servicemen and women, ex- servicemen and women and their families who have been affected.as a consequence of decisions made by politicians in their ivory towers.

Incidentally, we wear a sprig of rosemary (for remembrance) at a service on Gallipoli day (Anzac Day).

With the further implied nonsense that anyone who only wears a red poppy is warmongering. So, one word which is apt to that....Poppycock!

That was not to do with your post RQ btw.

My headmistress was a Quaker (but I don't remember it having any impact on my conscious mind)
Interestingly, JBC's mother was also a teacher at my school.

Are you ignoring my request to explain what you meant, roseq, or did you just not see it?

How do you recognise a Quaker? How do you know if you have never met a Quaker?
Have you never walked past a Friends Meeting House, soon, and wondered what it meant? Loads of people going in and out of them wearing white poppies.

I mix and mingle with Quakers rosesarered, some of my family are Quakers , I am wavering , I join the Quakers in our town on silent memorial days such the anniversary of bombing of Hiroshema , the day is spent standing in the Middle of town in a silent group , same on Remembrance Day , have done so for years

The red poppy doesn't mean the wearer is supporting war, but war mongers do wear them , . I wear the white poppy and the red poppy.

I don't think that everyone who wears the red poppy is a warmonger- I wear one myself for 11th November and a white poppy before and after. However I do think there has been a significant change in attitudes towards the armed forces and conflict in general, and that this has to a certain extent been orchestrated by the media and those in power. Anyone who remembers the public outrage when soldiers killed in Vietnam were returned to the US, and the ensuing anti-war movement, must wonder about the way the dead and injured of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars were brought quietly home. I am wary of the red poppy because I fear there are those who would use the services of remembrance for their own nefarious ends.

We knew many Quakers in the UK- one admirable couple were neighbours, she a daughter of the Cadbury's family and an amazing person.

MIL was educated alongside a member of another Quaker family who were chocolate makers - the Fry family.

Has anyone on this thread actually said/intimated/hinted that people who wear red poppies are a warmongers?

Would I wear a white poppy definitely NO. THE RED POPPY SAYS IT ALL
Those who have worn the queens uniform understand this perhaps better than most.

I was taken to a Quaker house when I was a child so can just about remember where one is. That is it.

for a visit I should add.

I tend to think we do too much remembering of last century's world wars. If we think the battles were against fascism, and for individual freedoms, perhaps we could start by respecting people's choice to wear a red poppy, a white poppy, or none.

The byline of the remembrance service is "lest we forget".

"A nation that does not learn the lessons of history is destined to repeat it."