Quakers are my kind of people

[zacronos]

Yesterday I went to the Charleston Friends Meeting -- i.e. the Quaker worship service here in Charleston. I was struck by just how well I fit in with these people; I'm actually inclined to think that at that Meeting, the term "eccentric" probably wouldn't accurately describe me. Compared to most Americans, I'm pretty unusual (maybe bordering on

Comments

[adarjapheth]

I'm not sure if you knew this or not, but bitterlight (Elaine, my light, my love, my inspiration) is a Quaker. She doesn't completely live her life by it, but she was raised as one, and still has many aspects of it in her personality.

The thing is... you and I have discussed my feelings on religion or anything resembling it, so by all rights I should A) disapprove of Elaine, and B) disapprove of you right now, however as she's explained it to me, I actually think Quakerism is something I could really get into were I so inclined. Most everything she tells me about them makes good sense and gels with a lot of my principles.

So I say, you're not crazy at all. If you find something that moves you, go for it. And if you want/need more information on the subject, I'm sure bitterlight would be happy to enlighten you.

[zacronos]

Hah! Awesome, I didn't know that. I probably would like to discuss it with her at some point, though I've already done a good bit of exploring on my own. I've read up on them (to be expected from me) and the differences in the subcategories of Quakers, and I've attended meetings at 4 different places (each of which had a somewhat different feel, but were more similar than not as far as Meetings go). I guess neither of you will be in Lexington very often by the time I get there, but if the chance comes up to talk with her about it I might take it.

WARNING: Joe-ramble ahead.

I admit, I've been through some misgivings about getting into organized religion again. I wasn't looking for a place to go, or even passively keeping an eye out for someplace I might like to attend. But I took the belief.net Belief-O-Matic quiz (which includes the statement "Warning: Belief-O-Matic(TM) assumes no legal liability for the ultimate fate of your soul.", just so you know they're not taking themselves too seriously), and it pegged me as Unitarian

[adarjapheth]

Hmm, neat. Yeah, I understand where you're coming from on this... I think I'd research it more if I wasn't so hesitant to choose labels myself.

Good ramble though, I liked it.

hi *waves* Colby said I should drop by

[finding_helena]

Hmm... that's an interesting point you make about refusing labels for the sake of not reinforcing the label thing. That never really bothered me much, because like you say, Quakerism is very individualistic. It's been especially so for me, because I was raised in an unprogrammed background (that is, silent worship). My mother got into Quakerism when I was about five. She always advanced the theory that Quakers could believe almost anything and still qualify as Quakers, and so I've retained that--though I was loath to call myself Quaker when going through my obnoxious atheist adolescent phase, but y'know, you'll get that with anything. I've always liked Quakers for their willingness to be at odds with the world in pursuit of what they want, and in general, I really like the Quaker community. I keep forgetting to go to Meeting, though, but when I do go, it feels rather like coming home. I just graduated from a Quaker school, and it did have its share of disappointments, especially some due to people not really wanting to be part of the

Re: hi *waves* Colby said I should drop by

[findtara]

I've been given very few impressions about Quakers, but the belief in Christ as savior was one. It's really interesting to find out that for some, it is not a requirement. That's something I've never run into before, and it really makes me want to look into it more.

Re: hi *waves* Colby said I should drop by

[zacronos]

> It's really interesting to find out that for some, it is not a requirement.

That's one of the things I like best about the Quaker beliefs -- believing that it's okay for others to believe significantly different things. Quakers care more about how to live life than what a person specifically believes. Actually, I just found a link to an article about non-theist Quakers: http://nontheists.quaker.org/QUF_umbrella_expanded_2_2_02.pdf

In my experience over the past several months with Quakers (I've talked to Quakers at two congregations (called Meetings) in Maryland, the one here in Charleston, and the one in Lexington; I've also looked around quakers, and done some reading online), they are pretty unconcerned with dogma and doctrine. There are "typical" Quaker beliefs that most ascribe to (such as pacifism), but there is no real requirement for those either. Here's something from the Lexington Friends web-page (at http://lex-ky.quaker.org/): The

Re: hi *waves* Colby said I should drop by

[zacronos]

Hey, thanks for stopping by. :-) I appreciate hearing about your experience as a Quaker. To bad Colby's moving away from Lexington -- you seem like a really cool person, from what Colby's said about you and now from looking at your journal a bit. :-( Ah well, I'm sure I'll get the chance to meet you at some point.

The bike ride was awesome, though it turned out to be about 250 miles when it should have been around 225 (due to not watching my compass and a poorly drawn/labeled map). In a couple weeks, I'll probably make the return trip. I think I can pare it down to about 210 miles and do it in 3 days this time. :-)