We May Never See this Place in Time Again

Reader Responses

When have you spoken truth to power?

Were you following your inner guide? What were the consequences?

Ever since I discovered that faith and religion is more than evangelizing and calling people to Christ for soul salvation, I began to speak truth to power. I realized that the body and soul on earth are just as much worthy as in heaven. I began to understand that advocacy and action against injustice and inequity is God's call in my ministry also. The words of the prophets and Jesus affirmed my call to do what is just and right.

To make it personal, "And what does the Lord require of you O Joseph, but to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8)

Also Jesus says in his inaugural sermon, "The spirit of the Lord is upon me to... set free those that are oppressed." (See Luke 4:18-20)

Joseph J., Milwaukee, WI, USA

It's interesting that this query has been paired with the Edward Burroughs quote; they actually seem at odds. Perhaps it is natural to frame such things around speaking, when here in the United States our minds have been shaped by the existence of the 1st Amendment for so long we may have come to see speaking as the most sacred act. But Burroughs isn't talking about speaking. He's talking about acting. 

Certainly there was some speaking to those in power that the early Friends did, but much more critically they acted. They acted in accord with the Truth even if it ran afoul of the laws of the powers and principalities around them. And that was their witness to a power beyond themselves. So perhaps the query should be "When have you been faithful to the truth when it ran counter to those in power?"

Jay O., Belfast, ME, USA