Truth, Authenticity, Faithfulness, and Wholeness
“The Testimony of Integrity can be articulated and practiced by Friends in four distinct ways. The first is truth-telling, or simply not telling lies…
Second, Integrity calls for authenticity, for genuineness, and for veracity in one’s personhood. It calls us to be truly who we are and not be two-faced by trying to be something or somebody we are not…
Third, Integrity calls for obedience, or if you prefer, faithfulness to conscience illuminated by the Light Within… It is truth which may well have objective validity, as I believe it does, but if it is not truth which is internalized in each of us, and for which we take ownership, then it is not truth which is valid and binding for us…
Fourth, the root meaning of the word “integrity” calls for wholeness… Integrity forms the basis for a covenant relationship in which persons exercise a sense of responsibility and accountability toward one another.”
— Wilmer A. Cooper, 1988
American Quaker, founding Dean of Earlham School of Religion
“The Testimony of Integrity,” Friends Bulletin
Today’s Invitation
Which is the most challenging of the four aspects of integrity for you? Find someone you love and trust and discuss what a practice of mutual accountability would look like.
This Week’s Query
Have you ever had to choose between your beliefs and the law?
Historically, Quakers have refused to take oaths because of their commitment to telling truth all the time. How does this resonate (or not) with your personal spiritual practice?
Photo credit: “Stone Sky,” copyright James Turrell
