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author ht
date Wed, 13 Dec 2017 12:26:48 -0500
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119:3658b1fa657e 120:191550c1e091
22 <p>The key, mistaken, assumption is that what we need to talk about as 22 <p>The key, mistaken, assumption is that what we need to talk about as
23 Quakers is what we <emph>believe</emph> (or don't believe). There are a few 23 Quakers is what we <emph>believe</emph> (or don't believe). There are a few
24 oblique mentions of alternatives in the book, but it's almost all about belief. 24 oblique mentions of alternatives in the book, but it's almost all about belief.
25 That's not the right place to look for what unites us as Quakers. After all, 25 That's not the right place to look for what unites us as Quakers. After all,
26 we've all heard it said, indeed many of us have said ourselves, that the 26 we've all heard it said, indeed many of us have said ourselves, that the
27 <emph>single</emph> think we can confidently say unites the membership of 27 <emph>single</emph> thing we can confidently say unites the membership of
28 Britain Yearly meeting is that when we can we meet together in something called 28 Britain Yearly Meeting is that when we can we meet together in something called
29 Meeting for Worship. Our identity is not fundamentally determined by what we 29 Meeting for Worship. Our identity is not fundamentally determined by what we
30 believe, but by what we <emph>do</emph>.</p> 30 believe, but by what we <emph>do</emph>.</p>
31 <p>If you only look at the language of belief, you miss a whole different 31 <p>If you only look at the language of belief, you miss a whole different
32 way of looking at religious identity. Choices with respect to the language of 32 way of looking at religious identity. Choices with respect to the language of
33 belief are what distinguish many, even most, Christian denominations from one 33 belief are what distinguish many, even most, Christian denominations from one
94 contemporary Judaism were/are founded on practice, but we're not about water 94 contemporary Judaism were/are founded on practice, but we're not about water
95 baptism or attending Mass or circumcision keeping kosher. What's so special 95 baptism or attending Mass or circumcision keeping kosher. What's so special
96 about Meeting for Worship that it can sustain us in unity, preserve the 96 about Meeting for Worship that it can sustain us in unity, preserve the
97 effectiveness of our business method and allow our disagreements about belief 97 effectiveness of our business method and allow our disagreements about belief
98 language to be recognised without fear?</p> 98 language to be recognised without fear?</p>
99 <p>It's simple, readlly. In Meeting for Worship, on a good day, we 99 <p>It's simple, really. In Meeting for Worship, on a good day, we
100 experience two things: a presence and a possibility. That's why we keep 100 experience two things: a presence and a possibility. That's why we keep
101 coming back, because at some level we know we need to keep having that experience.</p> 101 coming back, because at some level we know we need to keep having that experience.</p>
102 <p>What presence? The technical term for it is 'transcendence'. We're not very good at talking about it. We refer to a 102 <p>What presence? The technical term for it is 'transcendence'. We're not very good at talking about it. We refer to a
103 "gathered" meeting. We say "Meeting for Worship is not just meditation". We 103 "gathered" meeting. We say "Meeting for Worship is not just meditation". We
104 know it when it happens. It's 104 know it when it happens. It's
111 Meetings around the world today.</p> 111 Meetings around the world today.</p>
112 <p>What possibility? The technical term for it is 'immanence'. We see and 112 <p>What possibility? The technical term for it is 'immanence'. We see and
113 hear it in the witness of those around 113 hear it in the witness of those around
114 us: the possibility of living an inspired life. We <emph>recognise</emph> it 114 us: the possibility of living an inspired life. We <emph>recognise</emph> it
115 most vividly in Meeting for Worship, when we hear authentic ministry, 'authentic' because it comes from someone 115 most vividly in Meeting for Worship, when we hear authentic ministry, 'authentic' because it comes from someone
116 we know is speaking as they live. It cannot be be faked, it is unmistakeble, 116 we know is speaking as they live. It cannot be be faked, it is unmistakable,
117 terrifying and uplifting in equal measure. It 117 terrifying and uplifting in equal measure. It
118 calls us to what we aspire to. It is at once daunting (how can I possibly do 118 calls us to what we aspire to. It is at once daunting (how can I possibly do
119 what they do) and reassuring (it is possible). These are not celebrities or 119 what they do) and reassuring (it is possible). These are not celebrities or
120 distant missionaries, they are each <emph>one of us</emph>.</p> 120 distant missionaries, they are each <emph>one of us</emph>.</p>
121 <p>Whole books have been written about both of these, I have barely scratched 121 <p>Whole books have been written about both of these, I have barely scratched