Comment by Nikolas Southwell on 5th mo. 10, 2012 at 1:41pm

Thank you Allistair and Jim for your thoughtful responses. Peace to you both.

Comment by Paula Deming on 5th mo. 10, 2012 at 2:41pm

Dear Jim,

I believe you picked up the wrong piece of my note when you say you disagree with me. I see now that what I wrote could be misconstrued. So allow me to make a correction. On 2nd mo. 21, 2011 at 2:01pm, Nikolas wrote:           

In my own experience i have experienced being told that religion was a "fantasy" by a "nontheist" in one meeting, in response to my ministry. I will not return to this meeting. As for being asked not to talk about Christ in a meeting as was Stephanies experience....well need i say anymore?

 

I did not mean that Nikolas's view was intolerant. He, and Stephanie, had encountered intolerant attitudes in their meetings. You and I are in complete agreement that "the nontheists are the intolerant ones," as you wrote above.

 

Yours in Faith, Paula

Comment by Jim Wilson on 5th mo. 10, 2012 at 3:34pm

Friend Paula:

Thanks for taking the time to clarify.  I misunderstood; easy to do in cyberspace, at least it's easy for me. 

Apologies,

Thy Friend Jim

Comment by Rudy Zalesak on 5th mo. 16, 2012 at 7:28pm

I'm not sure where you are posting from, Nikolas, but in the US there have been active military members in Friends' meetings for a long time. I have the impression that this is more likely in the meetings that are more "mainstream Protestant" in tone.  In any case there were certainly Friends who felt led to join the military during WWII, in all branches of Friends. 

Comment by Paula Deming on 5th mo. 16, 2012 at 8:07pm

Rudy, a Friend in our meeting labored long and hard with the idea of service in the military, feeling that he had to do something. After reading about the work of Quakers during the first and second World Wars, he enlisted as a noncom: Combat medic. He turned down an officership, in solidarity with the enlistees. He returned last July. He now speaks in classrooms about the imagery of war in our society, and how sanitized and glorified it is.

Comment by James C Schultz on 5th mo. 17, 2012 at 12:06pm

I suggest you read "Christianity after Religion" where the Author addresses your question in more detail than this space would permit.

 

Comment by William F Rushby on 5th mo. 17, 2012 at 3:24pm

Rudy Zalesak wrote: I have the impression that this (military service) is more likely in the meetings that are more "mainstream Protestant" in tone.

Actually, among unprogrammed Friends, the Hicksites were much more prone to serving in the military.  Swarthmore College even had its own ROTC unit!

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