The Vital Message of Quakerism

The Vital Message of Quakerism

“We attend meetings to escape the agonies of an unjust society and to find personal refuge among like-minded Friends. Because our hearts are not stirred or our minds made sensitive to the injustices of the communities in which we live, we accommodate ourselves to a whole system of personal and group relationships in our neighborhoods and places of business—a system that has served to reinforce the assumption of white superiority. This way of life denies that there is that of God in every man, the vital message of Quakerism that provides the basis for the “blessed community” in which everyone can achieve freedom from want and fear and can realize his full potential as a human being.”

Power that Speaks in Women

Power that Speaks in Women

“Those that speak against the Power of the Lord, and the Spirit of the Lord speaking in a woman, simply, by reason of her Sex, or because she is a Woman, not regarding the Seed, and Spirit, and Power that speaks in her; such speak against Christ, and his Church, and are of the Seed of the Serpent, wherein lodgeth the enmity.”

That These May Be Exalted

That These May Be Exalted

“…We are not for Names, nor Men, nor Titles of Government, nor are we for this Party, nor against the other, because of its Name and Pretense; but we are for Justice and Mercy, and Truth and Peace, and true Freedom, that these may be exalted in our Nation; and that Goodness, Righteousness, Meekness, Temperance, Peace and Unity with God, and one with another, that these things may abound…such a Government are we seeking and waiting for, wherein Truth and Righteousness, Mercy and Justice, Unity and Love, and all the Fruits of Holiness may abound; and the contrary be removed, cast out, and limited.”

Find the Way to Love

Find the Way to Love

“What have we left to protect if in the process of defending our freedom we give up both democracy and principle? How can we love God, whom we have not seen, if we cannot, in times of crisis, find the way to love our brothers whom we have seen?”

Why I Blockaded 40,000 Tons of Coal with a Lobster Boat

Why I Blockaded 40,000 Tons of Coal with a Lobster Boat

“We had no idea we were supposed to get a lobster boat, until we ended up with a lobster boat, and then that became the symbol: this little white lobster boat in front of this big, hulking black ship of coal. We opened ourselves to a place of love and humility, knowing that we were supposed to be there but not having any sense of anger or opposition.”

Those in Power Need to Hear the Truth

Those in Power Need to Hear the Truth

“Policies, laws and received wisdom held by the powerful are extremely path dependent. When a Quaker speaks truth to power we are saying ‘I know what you think the truth to be, or are constrained by circumstances to think it must be, but somewhere along its way through the hierarchies of power, the basic humanity or morality of the question has been lost.’”

The Story of Mary Fisher and the Sultan

The Story of Mary Fisher and the Sultan

“In 1658, at the age of 35, Mary Fisher felt prompted to travel in a group of six Quakers to the Mediterranean and visit the Ottoman Empire to expound her faith to the Sultan. When their ship reached Smyrna, she asked the English Consul how to contact the Sultan. He told her that to proceed would be unwise and tricked the party of Quakers into boarding a ship bound for Venice. Realizing this when at sea, Fisher asked the captain to land her on the Morean Coast of Greece.”

Quakers Sue the Department of Homeland Security

Quakers Sue the Department of Homeland Security

“A group of Quaker congregations is suing the Department of Homeland Security for changing a policy that prevented Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from carrying out operations in so-called ‘sensitive locations’ such as houses of worship, playgrounds, schools and hospitals without approval from supervisors.”

Letter to Jefferson on the Hypocrisy of “All Men Are Created Equal”

Letter to Jefferson on the Hypocrisy of “All Men Are Created Equal”

“Sir, suffer me to recall to your mind that time, in which the arms and tyranny of the British crown were exerted, with every powerful effort, in order to reduce you to a state of servitude […] This, Sir, was a time when you clearly saw into the injustice of a state of slavery, and in which you had just apprehensions of the horrors of its condition.”

Witnessing for Peace in a Military Town

Witnessing for Peace in a Military Town

“We are two Quaker women who raised our families in towns dominated by the U.S. military. Rather than shun the military and look away, we have lived our witness amidst strong military presences. […] The military has certainly created plenty of occasions for us to talk about our testimonies and our practices in the face of headwinds. Both of us have found that our situations have actually helped strengthen our faith, since we often have to live our witness when sustained by faith alone.”

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