Comments for christian alternative

Comment on Quakers, Class, and Exogamy by Mary M

Mary M — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 00:51:34 +0000

North Carolina Friends have a story of an educated female quaker marrying an illiterate farmer, back in the 19th century. Friends Historical Center at Guilford College in Greensboro can help with this topic.

Comment on Quakers, Class, and Exogamy by Eileen Flanagan

Eileen Flanagan — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 01:59:29 +0000

I don’t know that much about the splits, but you can see the reprocussions of the class differences here in Philadelphia in the disparity between our children’s modest Quaker school and the much larger and wealthier Quaker school across the street.

Comment on Quakers, Class, and Exogamy by Bill Samuel

Bill Samuel — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 00:22:40 +0000

Maybe better than all being of the same class is transcending class so that the faith community encompasses those of different classes, but in a way that breaks down the barriers and hierarchies of class outside the faith community. I think that was in fact a Quaker ideal, but not one realized.

When I was in England on an ESR-sponsored Quaker tour a number of years ago, I learned something about the way class worked there. In the 19th century, the evangelicals among British Quakers reached out to the lower classes with a holistic approach that provided needed social services as well as proclaiming the gospel in words. Quite a number in these poor communities responded, but many Friends were uneasy with them coming into the Society of Friends. A compromise was reached whereby they could become members, but of a new separate class of members rather than regular members.

In my lifetime among liberal American Friends, it’s worked somewhat differently. I heard again and again concerns expressed that if too many of “them” (African-Americans, working class, etc.) came in, it would change us - and the change was unthinkable to them. “They” were welcome as long as, and only as long as, they would imitate those already in the meetings, overwhelmingly white, middle class, with college educations.

Comment on Quakers, Class, and Exogamy by Martin Kelley

Martin Kelley — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 13:41:38 +0000

Hi Max: interesting PBI. I’ve wondered how much class played into the schisms. I first realized this when visiting the restored house of a wealthy nineteenth century Quaker family in England. One of the plaques said they frequently traveled to America on religious missions. It only makes sense that wealthier Friends would be the ones that could travel, not just the boat costs but because they wouldn’t be earning a living for the many months they were away. When visitors crossed the “pond” they’d likely be staying with someone of similar means (and someone they might have met visiting them previously) which meant the trans-Atlantic networking was largely limited to the wealthy leisure class.

When Friends in London were trying to figuring out which side of a Quaker schism to side with (their decision determined who would remain in the world community of Friends) they naturally picked the side they knew best–the side of wealth–regardless of its relative size of the separated body or the supposed legitimacy of it succession.

Another PBI for you. Thanks for continuing the discussion on class and Friends. Fascinating, hmm?
Martin @ Quaker Ranter

Comment on Terry Wallace’s Sparrow Seed Available From Amazon by maxhansen

maxhansen — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 22:50:03 +0000

I got the information from Terry, but I may have distorted it. Perhaps he was only pointing out that FUP hoped for a wider audience, and I might have added the notion that it was their first such attempt.

Thanks for the correction, Bill.

Comment on Terry Wallace’s Sparrow Seed Available From Amazon by Bill Samuel

Bill Samuel — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 18:56:34 +0000

I was surprised to see your comment about this book being FUP’s “first-ever effort to publish a book intended for an audience beyond Quakerism.” The Howard Thurman books they have published appeal to a larger Christian audience, and the bulk of the sales are to non-Quakers. They have been the financial bedrock of FUP for a very long time.

Comment on Lisa Hubbell on Brian Drayton by Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 20:29:37 +0000

Thanks!

Comment on Quakerism’s Dirty Secret? by Mike

Mike — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 18:20:01 +0000

I wish I had the sense that I would be “discplined” if my words or conduct warranted. I think this would allow me more freedom to listen to God by spending less time listening for the unspoken reaction of my Friend’s community. Of course, if this acually happened, I might find myself in even greater anguish over my serious shortcomings; and be even less effective at listening and acting rightously.

Comment on Quaker Heritage Day 2007 by Robin M.

Robin M. — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 05:25:18 +0000

I have no pictures because I have no camera. But Wess Daniels took a few. http://gatheringinlight.com/2007/03/19/winds-of-the-spirit-convergent-friends-workshop-providence-2007-2/

Comment on Quaker Heritage Day 2007 by Max Hansen

Max Hansen — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 02:30:10 +0000

Oh, my pleasure.

I hope Robin will post some pictures of her meeting in Rhode Island.