This is not an effort to just postpone war, but to create a society that people resolve their issues non-violently. In order for this, we must have respect for others and their ideas regardless of how radical they are. The second role of Pacifists in a time of war is to try to do away with war and violence. These changes require us as humans to change our habits of war and violence. We cannot eliminate all conflicts in society, but we can reduce the number of conflicts and use non-violent methods of settling conflicts before it reaches the violence stage. (Greggs, 1-2) There are many steps to follow in order to be a Pacifist doing the time of war and peace.
The first step is to commit yourself to being a Pacifist and not participate in any war. This is not a refusal to support something on moral grounds. But this is to demonstrate that all humans are free and all humans can resist dictatorship and slavery in a time of war. This is a step to support deeper freedom and a society of utopia. (Greggs 4) .
The next step is to follow the Pacifist ways in a time of war. This means refusing to join the military service no matter what the sanction is for not doing so. (Greggs, 9) A good example is the Anabaptist movement during the 16th century. Many Anabaptist held their Pacifistic morals, even though reformers who rejected their views persecuted many Anabaptists. (Bender, 1) These Anabaptist died because they refuse to retaliate in a form of violence against the reformers. This was one of the most tragic events in Christianity history. .
Before the time of war comes, all Pacifists most work to the new order of a peaceful society before the time of war. If these actions are not taken, he or she leaves the initiative to the government. This result in war and all people in the Pacifistic movement will be maneuvered into a tight place of being considered a coward. (Gregg 12) In other words, if a Pacifist does not act in a time of peace and waits till the time of war to protest against violence, he or she leaves their deciding fate to the government regardless of their beliefs.