Written by a Quaker

 

Dear Lord and Father of mankind,

Forgive our foolish ways!

Reclothe us in our rightful mind,

In purer lives Thy service find,

In deeper reverence, praise.

In simple trust like theirs who heard

Beside the Syrian sea

The gracious calling of the Lord,

Let us, like them, without a word

Rise up and follow Thee.

O Sabbath rest by Galilee!

O calm of hills above,

Where Jesus knelt to share with Thee

The silence of eternity

Interpreted by love!

With that deep hush subduing all

Our words and works that drown

The tender whisper of Thy call,

As noiseless let Thy blessing fall

As fell Thy manna down.

Drop Thy still dews of quietness,

Till all our strivings cease;

Take from our souls the strain and stress,

And let our ordered lives confess

The beauty of Thy peace.

Breathe through the heats of our desire

Thy coolness and Thy balm;

Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;

Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,

O still, small voice of calm.

 

 John Greenleaf Whittier

American Quaker Poet 1807-1892 

This hymn was used in the film Attonement.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_yhuhp880s

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.

Who goes to a Quaker Meeting for Worship?

"I have been a member of the Society of Friends by birth-right, and by a settled conviction of the truth of its principles and the importance of its testimonies, while, at the same time, I have a kind feeling towards all who are seeking, in different ways from mine, to serve God and benefit their fellow-men."

John Greenleaf Whittier

American Quaker poet

1807-1892

Religion- Coping with all the scary bits.

For many of us, at some point in our lives, religion can become pretty scary.

This may be as a response to childhood when that set of beliefs very appropriate to someone else's condition, doesn't seem quite so relevant to your own. At times being caught up in a particular life situation can be a very alienating experience when the rules and expectations with a religion no longer seem to apply.

I remember one morning spent gazing sadly at a portion of butter beans on my plate. They refused to disappear and so I was totally stuck.With the best of intentions my mother had said that butter beans are very good for you, and that there were lots of children in Africa who would be very glad of them. I could see no evidence of very hungry children in our dining room at the time. Instead of being won over but all that healthy propaganda, it seemed far more relevant to me that butter beans have a nasty coating that flakes off like dried skin in your mouth and anyway taste disgusting.

There was also that unlikely story about white cabbage. It may seem soggy, anaemic quite lifeless and insidiously covered in salt, but for some inexplicable reason, apparently makes your hair curl. Since my hair was already curly and still has an unfortunate tendency to curl off in all directions, white cabbage did not seem particularly relevant to my condition. It seemed from an early age that not all things we are presented with in life are going to be to our taste, although, in the search for miracles, and God moving in a mysterious way, perhaps we should begin with cabbage!

In marked contrast to these more painful memories of childhood, there were times when a particular type of food was impossible to resist. Throughout history, people have associated hunger with the search for God. To illustrate this point, I can recall sitting on the back seat of our car with a hot crusty loaf in my hands. There was a nice soft accessible bit at the side and a lot you can do with a loaf of bread during the journey home. For some reason that loaf of bread was quite hollow when my mother cut into it at lunch! I was in quite a lot of trouble at the time although did discover that picking away at something can indeed stop you feeling hungry.

 At times religion isn't at all like what it says on the packet. It is incredibly off-putting, besides very hurtful for those who genuinely adhere to a particular faith, when quite terrible things are done in the name of religion. For this reason, it would seem of particular importance that we are honest, noting that in its many forms, blasphemy (including acts of violence) is a misrepresentation of religion and not a part of it.


At times it is possible to get an allergic reaction from food. Even if this is slight, gradual and you are the only person on the planet who reacts in this particular way, it matters. With religion too, it is necessary to be honest about the problems we encounter even though they may not seem particularly relevant or logical to others. It helps not to over-react, believing that all food should now be treated with suspicion or lose sight of the main objective. With any serious adventure, there will be times when it is necessary to show bravery and work around the problem.

Some of the things people believe seem very improbable, irrelevant or strange. There may be a temptation to provide a critical appraisal of everyone else's religion as an alternative to thinking seriously about your own. To judge is often a distraction, and, since we will never have all the evidence of another person's perspective, most unlikely to be very accurate or true.
I do not believe it is ever possible to be entirely right with religion or that we should be held responsible for what we believe. Instead the focus needs to shift away from knowledge. It is the kind of people are prepared to become as a result of our belief that matters.

While writing about my childhood, I was reminded of my grand-daughter who went shopping one day with her own toy supermarket trolley and an illustrated list of things she was supposed to buy. If anyone had asked her, I am sure the thought of chocolate was most in her mind, although a three year old might also realise that other less inspiring items on her list were also there for a reason.

Although it is undoubtedly true that religion contains scary bits, I think my grand-daughter would still tell me that it is fun to go shopping. The trolley is only little, so among Quakers we have no creeds. Some bits (even butter beans and cabbage!) may be right for someone else. Among Quakers, no one is going to proscribe the items on your list. With religion, it is only necessary to take on board the things that you need.

So let's not be afraid of all the scary bits. It's a fantastic opportunity to be invested with the power and responsibility to take control of that journey.  Live adventurously, be a "Seeker after Truth" and with respect for all our fellow travellers, go shopping!!

Speaking Truth to Power

Some Quotes from Margaret Fell 1614-1702

" The God of power give you to understand His will and mind, that you may make Him your joy, who has the life and breath of all men in His hand."

Letter to Charles II

 "Although I am out of the King’s protection, yet I am not out of the  protection of the Almighty God."

"From your dear Mother in y^e Lord."

 

What and where exactly are we?

Since jumping in head-first to the Social network, I have gained a great deal through reading the thoughts of other Quakers. Since these Friends have gone to some trouble sharing their insights, it would seem appropriate for me to begin this entry by thanking them. All ministry is I believe given to us for a reason.

Some of the comments I read concern me since they would suggest insecurity among some Quakers, making them unhappy. At times this feeling is reflected in very strongly expressed opinions. Whether this be towards Quakers, or others within the wider community, an intolerant approach inevitably creates barriers. Since Quakers believe that there is that of God in everyone, this form of expression would seem more of a panic reaction. The world is not always a thoughtful, kind and loving place, so at times, quite understandably, even Quakers are afraid.

Where trust would seem to be an issue, it is usually necessary for organisations to look at both their defenses and their foundations.

The first part of this process is not at all encouraging because from the onset we always have been a totally defenceless people. Through reading about the fatalities, inability to fight back and intense unpopularity of Early Quakers, it would seem quite remarkable that we did not all die out during those early years.

The foundations for Quakerism are however quite reassuring for those of us who have ever felt intimidated by the language, culture and priorities of seventeenth century England. They are not, I believe its history. Instead it would seem that any stable organisation needs to be triangular with its widest point at the base. Our continued commitment to be inclusive, welcoming and loving provides Quakerism with a strong stable foundation, grounded very firmly on this earth.

At times there would seem a temptation for Quakers to focus merely upon the base layer believing themselves to be an entirely a social group. Instead, as with any triangular shape, there should be a natural progression upwards. This process will involve some kind of spiritual journey. Our tolerance, diversity, and absence of creeds it will enable us to remain "open to new light, from whatever source it may come?" Traditionally those brave, honest Quakers at the start of a spiritual journey are defined as being "Seekers after Truth."

It can be very easy to feel an outsider among Quakers, even perhaps at a somewhat lower level to the rest. At times it is also possible to get lost and there will be times of poor visibility in Meeting. To reassure those who feel on the peripherals, it would seem of relevance to note how Early Quakers were particularly inspired (at times down-right lyrical!) by the presence of honest enquirers who were ready and receptive to their teaching.

A Quaker life involves progression. We learn through experience. I do not believe we should be too proscriptive about the travel aids each chooses to adopt, other than through the offer to share those we have found useful.

At times there may be a tendency to focus on unnecessary items for that journey. It would seem to me the search for God has very little to do with having a good imagination, intellectual superiority of being able to express yourself in a particular way. Through being humble, we might also dispense with reason. By putting our own egos on a back burner, we travel light and so there is a greater incentive to listen out for God. Having silent Meetings would seem a pretty pointless exercise were it not for this opportunity of guidance. This mountain to climb may require the support of Friends. It has many paths although, if everyone heads for the summit, we will all get to the same place given time.

No one could possibly expect to see God although at some point on this journey, a Quaker may reach a stage of "being convinced."  This very seventeenth century phrase refers to having had an awareness of God's presence.
Although there are a great many ways in which this can happen, it is always individual, tends to involve clarity, wonder, transformation and a continued sense of guidance. There is no doubt of its power, relevance and permanence to the human condition.

To me Quakerism has very little to do with appearance, sharing a particular way of life or our ability to campaign. We are vertebrates by nature and that the search for truth continues to provide us with a backbone.
In recent years we may have become a little quiet, even quite confused about our identity, but there is still is a need for unconditional love for the whole of humanity, the opportunity to be a Seeker after Truth, a shared spiritual journey, and that unchangeable focus for all of our lives at the top of the Mountain.

Does anything unite Quakers?

At the World Conference of Friends in 1991, Val Ferguson asked:

 

"Does anything unite this diverse group beyond our common love and humanity? Does anything make us distinctively Quaker?

I say yes.

Each of us has different emphases and special insights, but wherever Friends are affirming each other’s authentic experience of God, rather than demanding credal statements, we are being God’s faithful Quakers.

Wherever we are seeking God’s will rather than human wisdom, especially when conflict might arise, we are being faithful Quakers.

Wherever we are affirming the total equality of men and women, we are being God’s faithful Quakers.

Wherever there is no division between our words and our actions, we are being faithful.

Whenever we affirm that no one – priest, pastor, clerk, elder – stands between us and the glorious and mystical experience of God in our lives, we are faithful Friends.

Whether we sing or whether we wait in silence, as long as we are listening with the whole of our being and seeking the baptism and communion of living water, we will be one in the Spirit."

Quaker Faith and Practice- Fifth Edition

Chapter 29 » 29.16