Liberal Quakers

Former Friend talks of Pagans, Quakers and a self-centered Christian identity

While Quakerism is (still) Christian, it often comes over a. separate religion. law unto itself i. sense. They talk primarily about the Quaker heritage, while the Christian character is not adequately covered. (Posted by martin_kelley on 2008-05-09T15:59:13Z.)

Paul L thinks Orwell's got us pegged

"Socialism" draws with magnetic force every fruit-juice drinker, nudist, sandal-wearer, sex-maniac, Quaker, 'Nature Cure' quack, pacifist and feminist in England." (Posted by martin_kelley on 2008-05-05T21:38:39Z.)

West Rindge Frederick on quaking then and now

We look back at that ag. and say they received spiritual gift. hundredfold, an outpouring unstoppable of the water of life. We think they had some secret. Did we not both quake? Were we not both smitten to the ground, and despairing? (Posted by martin_kelley on 2008-04-10T23:33:26Z.)

Anna seeing the path through the disunity

There will b. time when we can say God is with our Friends who struggle in Kenya, with our Friends we worship in Indiana, with our Friends all across NY, with our LGBTQ Friends. If our relationship with FUM has done nothing else it has shown us this. (Posted by martin_kelley on 2008-04-06T00:43:28Z.)

Marshall Massey on cultural values that can substitute for faith

if you ask around. think you'll find tha. great many at liberal meetings do not experience that ocean [of light]. Much of what draws liberal Friends to one another is their shared affection for the Power that we identify with cultural "liberalism". (Posted by martin_kelley on 2008-04-06T00:34:29Z.)

Ecstatic Scott on Quaking and Evangelicals

Evangelical Friends hav. heritage particularly rich with the Power and its workings because it wasn't only the early Quakers that quaked. For man the "born again" experience was often accompanied by manifestations of the Power. (Posted by martin_kelley on 2008-03-14T22:31:38Z.)

Eastern liberal Friend on bridging geographic & theological differences

I don't want to gloss over things and make it sound like we're exactly the same?we're not, and some of the differences are difficult and painful to deal with. But differences also spice things up sometimes, giving us new avenues to find similar tr (Posted by martin_kelley on 2008-03-12T02:13:03Z.)

Will T: the awkward role of ministers among liberal Friends

Today, people wit. ministry often find themselves in an awkward position. Our Quaker culture says to wait until you are recognized. But then we don't recognize anyone. [The] people who do come forth are people who are willing to put themselves forward. (Posted by martin_kelley on 2008-03-07T05:09:44Z.)

Susanne K on why she's a (liberal) Quaker

Form of worship, reliance on unmediated revelation, potential for living into the Light and decision-making assumptions top the list. She also lists issues she didn't discuss, including freedom of belief. (Posted by martin_kelley on 2008-02-26T01:52:52Z.)

Robin M on music and worship among unprogrammed Friends

Since our worship is unprogrammed, it means that if we want to practice something together, like reading the Bible or singing, o. string quartet, we do that outside of worship. (Posted by martin_kelley on 2008-02-09T12:54:25Z.)

A Snapshot of Friends in the Americas from Friends Journal

The general secretary of Friends World Committee for Consultatio. Section of the Americas, Margaret Fraser, looks at the trends of Quaker meeting membership (FUM, FGC, EFI, Conservative, and independent; programmed and unprogrammed) in the Americas over (Posted by friends.journal on 2008-01-31T14:34:27Z.)

Pagan Cat on Quakers' Light and Christianity

Is that Light "Jesus"? Seems lik. small name to me...I love that Light. rejoice in it. am trying to listen to it, to be faithful to it, and perhaps to grow into it. Is that Christian? (Posted by martin_kelley on 2008-01-24T11:22:12Z.)

Ben L on Quaker Quest's arrival in staid Philadelphia

Quaker Quest, with its commitment to 21st century P.R., well designed glossy posters and brochures i. way to draw new and "frightening" people to us. QQ i. direct affront to the Quietest pall which has been hanging, smog-like, over my Yearly Meeting. (Posted by martin_kelley on 2008-01-21T21:26:56Z.)

Peterson Toscano recommends a little programming in worship

In the old days people hung out more and spoke about what happened in worship and learned about faith and practice ove. meal or while working o. project. But today most people blow into meeting and blow out. (Posted by martin_kelley on 2007-12-28T14:39:13Z.)

Sheffield Craig on prophetic leadings and questionnaire Quakerism

My understanding of discernment is that it i. process of seeking the will of God i. particular situation. Can this be done wit. questionnaire? (Posted by martin_kelley on 2007-12-10T11:29:56Z.)

Peter B on reading Marcus Borg on reading the Bible

That's me i. nutshell?my personal faith and practice in five simple sentences?and the first bit could just as well have bee. quote from George Fox with the language updated and the thee's and thou's taken out. (Posted by martin_kelley on 2007-12-03T11:44:33Z.)

Mark D recounts same-sex marriage discernment at his suburban Philadelphia meeting

What my folks most wanted, it seemed, was to comfort themselves wit. cost-free demonstration of their own tolerance. Inthis, they revealed what may be liberalism'??s central failing -- its refusal to deal respectfully with facts. (Posted by martin_kelley on 2007-11-01T13:25:35Z.)

Among Fds Carol wonders what Quakers would you most like to be rid of?

Are they the image of Christ? What does it mean if they are? And who a. the image of Christ to? Who are you? (Posted by martin_kelley on 2007-10-26T21:25:40Z.)

Social class Jeanne on Cool Whip and alterna-culture values among liberal Friends

Some might sa. selection of the values above are specifically Quaker or come out of our testimonies. Bu. bet if you show this list t. Unitarian or any other lefty, they'd agree with it a. list of things to disdain. (Posted by martin_kelley on 2007-10-19T23:38:56Z.)

Bill Samuel on class differences among Friends traditions

The differences between my home yearly meeting and Eastern Region were very evident when they presented it a. way to help people within their churches. In my or other liberal YMs, it would have been presented a. way to help "them" not us. (Posted by martin_kelley on 2007-10-11T18:50:48Z.)

Agitator Dave has a lightbulb moment about "that of God"'s meaning

All of us are God's creation, God's children: we all hav. place in the choir. It's not about looking for the "goodness" or the Light in people, as much as it's recognizing that, above all, we are all "of God." (Posted by martin_kelley on 2007-10-08T15:26:22Z.)

Sheffield Maurice responds to recent post on what might unite British Friends

I believe that if Quakers, as individuals or as groups are in 'opposing camps' as [one commenter] suggest we might be, then it is likely that the spirit of tolerance' has been taken over by our private ego positions'... (Posted by martin_kelley on 2007-10-08T14:12:32Z.)

Please Stop and Talk

What begins to matter is not what words sa. nothing they say can ever capture the realit. but what they do. What they do is releas. power and strength and focus and integrity which shapes and informs the work done in the world. (Posted by walkinthelight on 2007-10-03T14:20:33Z.)

Sheffielder Craig B on Quaker save spaces vs a Quaker way

"For many people the Quaker Meeting is primaril. 'safe space. a place to be themselves, where they will be accepted ... without expectations or demands.... But for me there is something missing from this image. (Posted by martin_kelley on 2007-09-25T13:00:26Z.)

Johan Mauer starts a discussion on Baltimore's FUM report

"It may be the most useful document ever produced b. member yearly meeting's representatives in my memory, but only [if it's] not mined for 'bombshell' value [and] the document's users are willing to tease out management issues from theological issues." (Posted by martin_kelley on 2007-09-22T20:51:17Z.)

Baltimore Yearly Meeting report on Friends United Meeting

"It is difficult to remai. part of an organization which exhibits so little concern for our own BYM history and suggestions for policy and direction....It is also difficult to sever ties with part of our history." (Posted by martin_kelley on 2007-09-22T12:11:23Z.)

Nancy A wonders if we're complaining and "looking at our buttons" too much

"Maybe what's important now is not for Quakers to be uberQuakers -- or even Quakers at all. Maybe many are each being called to be Spirit-led i. more nameless, formless way, just following those inner nudges..." (Posted by martin_kelley on 2007-09-21T14:51:05Z.)

Johan M tackles the real problems within Friends United Meeting

"The blunt reality: only by changing that majority will Friends succeed in changing FUM policies, an. see little likelihood that FUM's critics will invite African and Caribbean Quakers.. int. serious. dialogue on sexuality and biblical ethics." (Posted by martin_kelley on 2007-08-24T22:36:37Z.)

Zach A with an Early report on New England's session on FUM

"[i}t's clear that this yearly meeting does not yet have unity about leaving or defunding FUM, and that we won't find unity in the next few days either." (Posted by martin_kelley on 2007-08-08T05:09:19Z.)

Benjamin Lloyd on Phila YM sessions

"Over all. had the same sens. had last year, that of joyful co-mingling and fellowship with my spiritual community... spoke in my speech about nurturing the experience of love in our communities, and this past weekend, we did. felt loved there." (Posted by martin_kelley on 2007-08-01T22:01:26Z.)

Will T on Barclay and the condition of the Fall

"Liberal Friends.. often sound as if the Light was something that they can lay claim to... They also often sound as if they think that they can change themselves and the world by their own efforts. Propositio. i. reminder that this is not possible..." (Posted by martin_kelley on 2007-08-01T20:37:50Z.)

Earthfreak Pam on the name we give "the Fire"

"But the big mystical 'IT' is there anyway, and probably not terribly interested in the words... we use as we bumble around. If it's Jesus. gues. assume he can get through to me (being God and all) even i. don't know his name..." (Posted by martin_kelley on 2007-07-26T07:44:43Z.)

Friendly Funnel on religious labels

"The past few months have been trying for me, as I've struggled with labels: whethe. can call mysel. Christian or not, whether I'. Buddhist or not. never questioned whethe. wa. Quaker, becaus. am that to the core of my being..." (Posted by martin_kelley on 2007-07-09T06:42:45Z.)

Micah B on suprising Christian language and sexual ethics ministry

"I must admit that the aspect of this gathering that most surprised me was the amount of Christian language.. At the risk of unfairly maligning some of my brothers and sisters. did not expect this from liberal-unprogrammed Friends." via QuakerQuaker.org (Posted by martin_kelley on 2007-07-04T19:51:24Z.)