Europe in the Age of the Reformation

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The Anabaptists

Oaths and Pacifism

Anabaptists found explicit prohibitions in the Bible against oath-taking (Matthew 5:34, and James 5:12). This alone made them poor citizens, for they could not participate in most juries and could not swear oaths of allegiance. It also meant that they could not serve in public office.

Use of force was ordained by God for use by the magistracy and was denied to Christians, even in self-defense. This removed them from military service. Their ideal was almost monastic: to withdraw from the world in true Christian fellowship to await the Judgement Day, which they expected at any time. This is a dangerous position in any religious society, but it was doubly so in 16th century Europe because of the high religious and political passion engendered by the Reformation.