May 2, 2002 ~ A Quaker
It was just a short line in an article about environmentalism. A line about how there are a lot of Quakers who work for environmental protection because of their belief that to "stand by and watch injustice taking place without protesting in some fashion is to implicate oneself in that injustice."
I stopped reading. I had realized something. It was one of those self-reflective moments when suddenly several aspects of your life snap into place and connect.
I had realized that I am a Quaker. I may not attend Quaker meetings, I may not call myself a Quaker, but I am a Quaker. I thought back to all of my experiences with Quakers, what I had read of them, and what I had heard. And it all made sense, suddenly.
But I wonder how I can explain it to you. Maybe you're only experience of Quakers is the man on the Quaker Oats box. If that is the case, this may be hard.
Quakerism only has one tenant: that there is that of God, of the sacred, within every person. "Inner Light." Much of Quakerism is about listening to that "still, small voice within" and learning to recognize it within others. The rest is entirely up to personal experience.
Quaker meetings (I've been to a few) involve everyone sitting in silent mediation, listening to that inner voice. When someone is moved, that person speaks to the group about an insight that has come to them. There are no pastors. Each and every person is, in a way, a pastor, capable of insight into the sacred. This is because Quakers believe that contact and communication with God is direct, available to every person.
Quakerism has no sacred text, though it evolved (by founder George Fox) out of Christianity. In a given Quaker meeting group, there may be Buddhists, Wiccans, Christians, Jews... Generally, lines are not drawn.
There are no main tenants, but there are tendencies. Quakers tend to value truth, non-violence, simplicity, equality, and social justice. They tend to work for peace. They tend to be very passionate. Quakers were amongst the first to speak out against slavery and for women's rights.
And it's hard to explain, but it just fits me. I'm tired of trying to qualify what I believe in with a hundred categories. I'm tired of saying, well, I'm kind of Christian, but with leanings toward these ten other faith groups, and I really like this and that philosophy, but this other thing doesn't ring true with me... And on and on. It gets tiring. I am a spiritual seeker, with many different leanings. A non-creedal faith like Quakerism would be perfect for me, for it would give me a faith group that wouldn't have to be qualified, something that would give me plenty of room to grow in the ways that I need to grow.
So, as soon as the craziness of the next few weeks and graduation are over, I think I may start attending the Meeting in town. I have been attracted to Quakerism for years. I think it's time to step toward that Inner Light, rather than shy from it.
|
