Mennonites believe that all people are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). To take the life of another person - whether it be through murder, war, execution or abortion - is to destroy a being created in God's image. It is striking at the very heart of God. It is snatching the destiny of another person out of God's hands before God has finished with that person. It is placing ourselves above God. Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be the children of your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:43-45a)

"The gospel and its adherents are not to be protected by the sword, nor are they thus to protect themselves...Neither do they use worldly sword or war, since all killing has ceased for them." Conrad Grebel, 1524, founding member of the Swiss Brethren

From the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective, Herald Press, 1995.
Article 22: Peace, Justice and Nonresistance

"We believe that peace is the will of God. God created the world in peace, and God's peace is most fully revealed in Jesus Christ, who is our peace and the peace of the whole world. Led by the Holy Spirit, we follow Christ in the way of peace, doing justice, bringing reconciliation, and practicing nonresistance even in the face of violence and warfare." Click here for the full text of this article.

From the Dordrecht Confession of Faith (Holland, 1632)
XIV. Of Revenge

"As regards revenge, that is, to oppose an enemy with the sword, we believe and confess that the Lord Christ has forbidden and set aside to His disciples and followers all revenge and retaliation, and commanded them to render to no one evil for evil, or cursing for cursing, but to put the sword into the sheath, or, as the prophets have predicted, to beat the swords into ploughshares. Matt. 5:39, 44; Rom. 12:14; I Pet. 3:9; Isa. 2:4; Micah 4:3; Zech. 9:8, 9.

From this we understand that therefore, and according to His example, we must not inflict pain, harm, or sorrow upon any one, but seek the highest welfare and salvation of all men, and even, if necessity require it, flee for the Lord's sake from one city or country into another, and suffer the spoiling of our goods; that we must not harm any one, and, when we are smitten, rather turn the other cheek also, than take revenge or retaliate. Matt. 5:39.

And, moreover, that we must pray for our enemies, feed and refresh them whenever they are hungry or thirsty, and thus convince them by well-doing, and overcome all ignorance. Rom. 12:19, 20.

Finally, that we must do good and commend ourselves to every man's conscience; and, according to the law of Christ, do unto no one that which we would not have done to us. II Cor. 4:2; Matt. 7:12."