"I have found that relationships, patience and perseverance are essential to moving forward together.  As a gay man, I was advised early on that I needed to give others time to adjust.  For many of us, we had years to adjust to accepting…"

"Ken - I think your connection of pacifism and passivism is the very thing we need to pull apart from.  In my work with youth, I've been encouraging that pacifism does not mean to be passive at all, but to be extremely active in pacifying…"

"Let me preface that everything I say here is from a layman's perspective, as much intuitive and some amalgamation of thoughts, observations and experiences.  For me, pacifism, as an "ism", is about action (as in…"

"You raise some excellent points and dilemmas.  For me, pacifism is very different than "non-resistance" or "non-violence".  The last quote you put here about the doctrine of pacifism is one that I agree with only IF…"

"Intersting question and discussion. I think Friends do speak my mind on some of these issues.  It is often that the quest for a 'perfect' wedding and the continuous corporate marketing strategis that often leads to one…"

"simply answer. No"

"Thanks, Paula.  Just to help me as I try and communicate (and struggle with these issues), in what I wrote, did you see a litmus test?  What I try to do is challenge those with whom I share the most in common (white, gay middle class,…"

"Dear Friend Brad, There is no question that we overconsume as a nation. I am in full agreement with your position. As a Quaker and an environmentalist (and a bunch of other "ists"), I am not and never will be in unity with waste and…"

"I appreciate the weight of your comments, Paulsa.  Two thoughts; about the consumption, if we lived in silos I would agree, but the world has limited resources.  Just because one can afford to consume as much energy as he/she wants,…"

"Dear Friend, I have joined this discussion group in order to sit with you to consider this question. I confess to being alarmed by the question. On the face of it, as an American, I see no problem with people having ostentatious ceremonies…"

"Sounds like you are doing great work in the world. I am grateful for your service and bridge building work. I think a lot of these categories are generally meaningless, as we inhabit many spaces and identities in our lives.  It is absolutely…"

"Thanks, Rosemary.  I don't lose heart at all.  I'm just speaking up to see where it goes.  I totally agree that we should celebrate love when and where we can.  I just don't want to lose sight of the bigger…"

"Perhaps this is an opening for those of us who are both lgbtq and Friends to seek those answers by getting out in the world for greater equality. When I started a scholarship for high school kids impacted by HIV in Illinois about 10 years ago, I…"

"I agree that there is a problem of class inequality in our society, and globally. I also know that for those who have been denied access to social and cultural rites and rituals, the YES of a vivid and conspicuous marriage can have a lot of…"

"I also think it's sad to see this kind of conspicuous consumption from anyone, especially those who ought to have more compassion. But to me it doesn't really matter as far as civil rights are concerned. If someone has a right to get…"