Why Quakerism is not a soft option.

In the early part of his journal, George Fox portrays himself as one of a considerable number of people displaced by the recent English Civil War. He is traumatised by all that he has witnessed, disillusioned by both secular and religious leadership. It would seem that right from the onset Quakerism has tended to attract disorientated individuals, looking for security in their lives.

That traumatic loss of confidence in English monarchy which caused the Civil War came to be echoed through every layer and institution of society. It is difficult to appreciate quite how much people were afraid as their family life and normal occupation were interrupted through the need to enlist, casualties mounted, extreme suffering became a part of daily life, a strident, intolerant, partisan church reflected the views of government and the world turned upside down. Through understanding these times, the fears, uncertainties and all that people had been through, we might readily conclude that post-traumatic stress syndrome was a factor in prompting so many people at this time to become so receptive to the Quaker message.

In other ways, it would seem to me that our culture and communities are not so very different. Those Seekers in the North West of England included a considerable number of soldiers who had fought at the Battle of Preston. They had struggled to resume normal life in a way veterans returning home from Iraq, Afghanistan or other postings, might easily understand today. Through understanding the impact of seeing a mine explode for the first time, our veterans will understand George Fox's reaction in "Bloody City of Litchfield." This Quaker identity and sense of urgency is still grounded very firmly upon the experience of war. 

From the beginning it would seem Quakers have been entitled to use religion as an excuse. We might so easily have become the epitomy of those entitled to remain outside ordinary expectations because we have suffered enough. Instead however quite the opposite happened. The fears, uncertainties and loss of confidence in all other authorities came to be channelled into an uncompromising search for truth. Instead of gaining a soft option, or well-deserved retirement, Early Quakers received strength and purpose to their lives. Through such convincement, they were prepared to set themselves up as an example of uncompromising loyalty to the truth and so deliberately invited persecution. Perhaps it was this bravery and disregard for all other considerations which marked them out as being so very different from the rest.

Through having been brought up in an exclusively Christian environment, it would seem inevitable that their language should reflect this background. These days, through living in a multi-cultural world we are much more aware that an experience of God cannot be confined to one particular religion. To me it is important that we recognise diversity of insight as a resource and that these brave, stubborn, very honest individuals thoroughly deserved that no less valid an experience of God's transforming love, power and presence in their lives in union with Christ as their teacher.

These days our society is also very insecure, often betrayed through its leaders and with so many different idols offering a temporary solution. For this troubled world, should our Quaker Meetings provide just one more easy option, to escape the rest of life?

Those of us wishing to maintain a loving connection to past Friends, using the example of their lives as a pattern, might choose to disagree. Although to me it is very important that our Meetings are fully and absolutely inclusive, I think we should also make it clear that in our silence we provide an opportunity to also be Seekers after Truth. Here we may further our spiritual journeys by listening out for God. It is not the easy option. To do so otherwise, or remain silent would however be like inviting war victims into a refugee camp, then compelling them through poverty and lack of education, to stay. Presenting Quakerisim as a soft option, although initially attractive, is neither particularly enabling or kind.

Whilst rocking about the world like a chair on three legs, without an understanding of our true identity we cannot possibly expect to be stable, lasting or strong. Since no sensible person would sit down on a chair with three legs, without being entirely clear about ourselves, we cannot reasonably expect to be of very much use to others.

Instead I think there is an opportunity to be honest and brave about where we are now. There is still a compulsion to be all things to all people and through lack of direction deep divisions even among ourselves. Even from this very moment in time, we also have an opportunity to be humble, receptive, using our Meetings for Worship to focus very much more precisely upon how the love of God can become more evident in our lives.