Dan Snyder, ’72, spoke 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23 in the Gallery of Founders Hall on “Nonviolence and the Dynamics of Transformation” as part of the week’s Quaker Initiative on Faith and Practice.
Snyder’s talk focused on the necessity of nonviolently resisting violence. “We are living in a world of violence with little compassion,” Snyder said in his opening remarks. “We all need hope.”
Nonviolence is the most effective and long lasting approach to the peace movement, according to Snyder. “If you want to work to see something that’s still going to be here when your great-grand children are going to be here and you are not, than do nonviolent work.”
Snyder warned against social activism not rooted in nonviolence. “[There are more] voices wailing against the darkness than following the light.” he said. “Nonviolence is a work of hope and joy.”
An engaging dialogue followed the talk, and some salient issues were discussed.
“You have to be able to listen to each other,” senior QLSP member Brynne Kirk said. “Love the people that you disagree with.”
“It is so important to not lose faith,” senior Katie Holmes said.
Snyder, on leave from Pendhill Hill, a Quaker school in Pennsylvania, is currently living in Germany and working on a book. “He is especially interested in research and writing about bridging the gap between the life of contemplation and the life of activism,” Max Carter, the Director of the Friends Center and Campus Ministry Coordinator, said.
Also a psychotherapist, Snyder has worked especially with domestic violence offenders.
“I really see myself as more of a minister to activists than an activist myself,” said Snyder in an interview.
For Snyder, the peace movement is a long process. “I wish it were quicker,” he said. “But you don’t create change by wishful thinking.”
“If you’re just throwing yourself up against the Bastille of social activism, but don’t have an inward life feeding and sustaining you, you could easily become a burnt out corpse,” Carter said of Snyder’s philosophies.
Snyder is excited about his return to the college. “I’m so heartened by what I see going on here in the Peace and Conflict department,” said Snyder. “There’s an obvious devotion to trying to understand how you go about getting lasting peace.”
As part of the Quaker Renewal winter series, “Peacemaking and the Life of the Spirit,” Snyder is leading two workshops. The first, titled “Prayer and Peacemaking,” was held Feb. 21. The next workshop, “Forgiveness and Reconciliation,” will be held 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Feb. 29 at Deep River Friends Meeting. One, titled, “Prayer and Peacemaking,” took place last Saturday.
The following Saturday’s (February 29) workshop, “Forgiveness and Reconciliation” will be held at Deep River Friends Meeting from 9:00 to 4:00.

For more information, contact Max Carter at 316-2445.