Wednesday 21 May 2014

Paradise Island.

During my time at secondary school we were set the task of reading a book that scared me. Its content was so shocking, I cannot recall reaching the end even though "The Lord of the Flies" was very strongly recommended at the time. The feeling of horror I had was further aggravated by our local butchers shop which for some reason best known to themselves, decided to put a pig's head in the window. For me, this was one of those horrible visual images that you cannot help looking at, and remember for ever, however hard you try.

"Lord of the Flies" recalls the consequences of a plane crashes on a desert island. The only survivors are a group of schoolboys. Despite being in an effectual paradise they become victims to their own group dynamics, priorities, superstitions. As the plot progresses they become increasingly idle, gullible to superstition, unable to help themselves escape and violent.



This quite shocking dark narrative has since been made into several films. For those who have not encountered the book before, I will put in a link as a Summary of the plot.

It may be argued that this story is a huge exaggeration, contrived though being a particularly exclusive group of pre-pubescent boys, who despite being placed in the most perfect environment, were in other respects particularly unlucky. Instead of involving an inspirational Peter Pan and magical Neverland where life can afford to be a very big adventure, this alternative vision of the "lost boys" seemed to present a terrible indictment of human nature.

During the very early years of Quakerism as Britain reeled from the effects of Civil War most people felt they had been betrayed in some way. It seemed through their recent sufferings, lack of consistency in government and various transformations of the Church that their entire world was turning upside down. At this time of intense suffering and fear, a very similar book to "Lord of the Flies" was produced. Called "Leviation" it also reflected a belief that

“Life is nasty, brutish, and short”
Thomas Hobbes

Despite the recent past and observations about the nature of humanity, Leviathan argued that civil peace and social unity could be achieved through the establishment of a commonwealth by social contract. In an ideal situation this would be ruled absolutely by a sovereign power who would in turn provide for its defense.



Through having experienced these times of terrible uncertainty and hardship, it would have been inconceivable for Early Quakers to dispense with all forms of government, choosing to promote instead an entirely individual approach, or system of Church Government in which a majority would decide. Instead there was a particularly strong emphasis on accountability, where instead of following creeds and clerics, Christ was believed to have come among his people to teach them himself. In practical terms, besides their Meetings for Worship, this meant Early Quakers were regularly referring back to the Scriptures for guidance. Typically, an almost unanimous decision not to take the Oath of Allegiance, could be justified through a reading of the gospels and that they were following Christ's instructions.

These days it might seem we are enjoying unprecedented freedom and opportunities. For many of us there is a particular way of life, so it could seem our Quaker paradise has a tendency to become an island. Perhaps our Meetings long to become more inclusive and diverse. We have access these days to so many different insights and sources of wisdom, but might there also be a risk of not giving them the respect they deserve. Lack of clarity may so easily lead to superstition so instead of living out our testimonies in the context of our belief, we settle for a way of life. Our paradise island may so easily lead to a power-struggle, becoming tainted by human needs and priorities, if we choose to forget what it is like to be human and that Meetings for Worship are for seeking and listening out to God.






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