02-08-2007 13:42

thoughts from a Conservative-leaning Fri

Thanks to Michael for pointing me here. ...I find myself reluctant to add my take on Wallace's article, and equally reluctant to NOT add my take on it. Hmmm. 
 
Some of what you offer, Gerry, reflects on writing I have done elsewhere, such as some thoughts about my own understanding of creeds and the discipline of living into the many dualities and paradoxes that exist within Quakerism. 
 
So I have appreciation for the concern you raise, Gerry, that Wallace's article may seem to polarize Friends, along with your own reconsideration of whether your initial remarks would do the same. 
 
It is in fact a discipline to speak passionately about our inward conversion/conviction without assigning judgment about other's faith tradition or participation in our own--in this case, Quakers.  
 
I identify as a Conservative-leaning Friend: one who has been learning about and exploring Conservative Quakerism, who carries a concern for how we conserve our tradition and convey it to others, and who worships among Liberal Friends (there are as yet no Conservative meetings or worship groups in the area).  
 
Because of my experience among Friends and the concern I carry, I read Wallace's article with a lens of  
 
"Here is someone who like me is wanting to remind Friends that there ARE things we can say about our faith, what we believe, and what we don't believe; how we practice and how we don't practice and why those practices have come about." 
 
Especially among Liberal Friends, it seems to me, the breadth of theological diversity within our meetings may be--MAY be--tipping too far to the side of becoming an all-inclusive ETHICAL society rather than remaining a RELIGIOUS society that has parameters of who we are and who we aren't. 
 
So I wonder if Wallace doesn't write from that concern... 
 
My Jewish upbringing has given me a model from which to draw: 
 
In Judaism, the various sects range from ultra-orthodox to reform, with conservative in the middle. Synagogues in large metropolitan areas can embrace Jews according to their level of religious orthodoxy or religious liberalism.  
 
I have not heard Reform Jews cry out that they are excluded from Judaism because Orthodox Jews want them to practice their faith in a certain way; neither have I heard Orthodox Jews cry out that Reform Jews have got it all wrong and should ultimately be excluded or discounted as Jews. 
 
But it comes down to Jews are Jews are Jews, and it's widely accepted that Reform Jews will seek out a Reform synagogue; Conservative Jews will seek out a Conservative synagogue; etc. And Reform Jews and Orthodox Jews will write about their respective experience in their faith tradition, always lifting up concerns as they see them. 
 
But among contemporary Quakers, and perhaps peculiar to American Friends, for some reason we think that Conservative-leaning Friends or Evangelical Friends or Liberal Friends should keep their opinions to themselves, lest we have in-fighting and nastiness. Many of us get stuck in the "We're right/they're wrong" sort of thinking that closes down conversation rather than opening up dialogue that will grow all of us into our full measure of Light and understanding of Truth. 
 
I would say, Wallace and the growing internet phenomenon of Quaker blogs may be--MAY be--providing Friends the opportunity to wrestle with other parts of our faith tradition, other perspectives and other branches that still comprise the larger whole: the Religious Society of Friends. 
 
A dear Quaker friend of mine reminds me when I don't like what I've heard or what I've read:  
 
Well, are you looking for the kernel of Truth in what has been said? 
 
It's not a question I like to consider, but by considering it, I allow myself to be transformed by the Light... 
 
Well, this response didn't exactly touch on things I had thought I would share, but it is what emerged on this day. Thanks to Mike and Gerry for the exchange. 
 
Blessings, 
Liz, The Good Raised Up

http://thegoodraisedup.blogspot.com

IP: 75.72.186.144

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