Rust: Like Calvinists of old and the modern rationalist-philosopher Thomas Hobbes, we warn the Court of Quaker Opinion of the inherent selfishness of human nature.

Abrasive: Whether the "amicable collision" of Shaftesbury's England or the pranksters on the American frontier, basic human incivility is a natural abrasive.

Rust: Without a social contract, mayhem rules as anarchy.

Abrasive: Without the usurping power structure, people are forced to get along and encouraged…

Does nature mirror God or does God mirror nature? Even before the saving cross, there was the killing tree. Even before the muck and mire of human existence, there was the dense forest. Even before the sugar daddy or supermom to exploit, there was the giant sequoia trees.

In order to survive, some plants, as humans, cling to a supporting host. Mere survival soon gives way to the need to flourish. No longer satisfied to be hidden in the shadows of obscurity, these young upstarts climb…

Foundation: Need we point out to the Court of Quaker Opinion the essential foundation of Quakerism?

Skylight: Would that be faith and practice, reason or the Bible?

Foundation: All of the above.

Skylight: Nolo contendere - all known by, and with, the Church's one foundation, who is above your foundation(s).

Foundation: So what's the purpose of the skylight?

Skylight: To allow the Light of immediate revelation for what Oliver Wendell Holmes called the…

Welcome to 'Over and Under' with our contestants from Team Over: Ms. Religious Right, Mr. Libertarian, and Friend Ecology; and from Team Under: Miss Silence, Mr. Independent Party, and Friend Underground Spring.

Let's start with Ms. Religious Right who argues that religion is the answer to the problems of the world - provided it's the right Religion, or the religion of the Right. In other words, over-joyed at the opportunity to take on the evils of empire; forgetting, I'm sure, the…