Activism Is a Species of Worship

“[Though the legacy of John Woolman,] we are invited to see our activism as a species of worship. For activists, this is an invitation to root our activism more fully in the transforming power of meeting for worship and the love of God we encounter there. For those who are more of a contemplative than an activist orientation, it challenges us to broaden our understanding of the boundaries of the meetinghouse, and the boundaries of worship itself.

Next, John Woolman’s life and example encourage us to see worship as a form of action — that the events and experiences within meeting for worship can truly exert an influence on the wider world. Prayer is not just wishful thinking; it can effect results. It can further the cause of justice.

Finally, we are invited to see the ideal spiritual life is an integrated one. When religion is truest to itself, we are moved ‘on an inward principle to love God as an invisible, incomprehensible being.’ ‘On the same principle’ we are moved to ‘learn to exercise true justice and goodness toward all’ creation.”

— Michael Birkel, 2002 (source)
Quaker academic and mystic