'Rooted in Christianity': What does this mean for Quakers?
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- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- In this video, I discuss the term 'rooted in Christianity' when describing both Quaker history and theology. I discuss how my understanding of this phrase has developed, why I think it is helpful, why it might be unhelpful.
The page from Quakers in Britain that I refer to:
www.quaker.org....
My experience of Friends is in the U.S. The "rooted in Christianity" approach is, I would argue, what has rendered liberal Quakerism theologically incoherent. Obviously it's a subject too complex to fully navigate via this comment, but I would maintain that what lies at the heart of liberal Quakerism is more so a liberal political orientation than a spiritual or theological one. The Quakerism of Friends General Conference, for example, has been spiritually impoverished by the (I would argue near total) loss of commitment to the foundations of even basic Quaker concepts. These concepts are Christian, albeit a distinct form of Christianity. Terms such as non-theistic Friends (Friends of what? Of whom?) signify to me the extreme forms that this now takes. I have attended meetings at which the mention of Christianity is literally offensive to people. An openness to new light, new revelation, doesn't require us to so utterly "run ahead of the Guide," that we end up divorced from that very guide. I feel that a commitment to inclusion is a fine thing, but not to such an extreme that it renders Quakerism into a quiet form of Unitarian Universalism.
Oh wow. Yes. Well said. I have never been able to express it so clearly.
we’re all united by the Light, and that should be the source of our strength and unity. whether you see the Light as coming from Christ, as simply a part of humanity, or any other view, let us continue to be held together by our love for each other and our belief in the eternal spirit we hold in ourselves.
🙂🙂
do you have any videos about quakers relationship with the bible?
I haven’t yet, no! But it would be an interesting one! I shall add it to my list!
I have no problem with the phrase 'rooted in Christianity', it's the phase I hear occasionally that describes Quakers as they 'came out of Christianity' that bothers me. It implies Quakers were something other than Christian from the begining - which just isn't the case.
Ooh yeah, definitely agree!
Thank you for the video, as a Christian myself who has in the last few days discovered Quakerism from one of my colleagues i find so much of what youre saying in your videos to resonate with something on the inside of me, I find im becoming heavily drawn to these beliefs and maybe held the same or similar views as ive journeyed through faith. Your videos on the the advices and queries make me feel the same too. Thank you ❤
This is great to hear, thank you for reaching out and let me know if you have any questions!
I know this video is several months old, but I just wanted to share a little of my experience. That I grew up Christian and subsequently felt... pushed out because of being queer. I went through a difficult time and lost my faith to some degree, but as I grew older, I realised I felt spiritual. I felt there was something, but couldn't establish what and then I discovered Quakerism. So I wouldn't say I'm nontheist, but the Christian language sometimes doesn't vibe with me and I start to question whether I would actually be welcomed by Quakers or whether it is for me even though I feel that it is. I can accept the roots within Christianity as well though.
Hello @rehtea4!
First off, I suppose your experience might differ depending on what sort of Quaker meeting you go to. If you are in the US, there are huge differences on issues surrounding Christian language and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community with Liberal meetings being more accepting of the latter and more 'liberal' on the former and Evangelical Quaker meetings which would be more focussed on the former and perhaps (though I do not want to speak for all meetings, having no experience myself as a British Quaker) less accepting of the latter. In the UK it is much simpler as the Liberal tradition is the only one that exists in any meaningful way. I have found Quakers highly accepting and curious about those who come to meeting . Have a read of the Advices and Queries and see what you think! Let me know if you have any questions!
@Quake-It-Up Thank you for responding and providing an explanation although it still makes me sad that even though there is a Quaker testimony to equality there are some Quakers that don't view LGBTQ+ individuals as equal. I also wanted to re-read the Advices and Queries before responding to you. I find that a lot of them really speak to me (living simply, learning from others, not being prejudiced etc.), but I found a few in the first section difficult to understand when looking at it from a nontheistic perspective. It's easy to see from a Christ-centred perspective, but I was wondering how non-theistic Quakers reconcile their faith with the advices and queries regarding following Jesus' teachings (which they can still do) and following the spirit of Christ. Is it just a matter of changing the language in accordance with their beliefs like Light or just Spirit? Or is it something more? I understood as well that you don't have to pay to be a Quaker, but you're encouraged to give some portion of your money to support Quaker work. How do you deem what is a 'right' portion? Maybe I'm reading too much into everything, and I'm sorry for rambling! Oh, and I'm also British, so I'm used to the Liberal setting too.
This is why we don't have a creed-- let your life speak-- did you really just say "this Jesus narrative??" very funny!!
waiting worship on the inner light... of christ-- that which has saved us from our own self destruction- that is rooted in CHRIST ianity-
I thought the 'Rooted in Christianity' came from a Elders meeting at Balby in 1656.
"the Christian stuff?'" what does it really mean to be a Christian but that you live in the footsteps of christ to do the will of God and the will of God is love.
Eager to get home and watch this one! Home now...
I enjoyed your equanimous consideration for and reflection on the two extremes.
how many times does George Fox refer to Jesus in his journal?