QuakerInfo.com Forum

[billmc]

Hi all! My name is Bill and I'm here to explore. I've been a Christian for 40 years but have moved beyond the conservative, fundamentalist paradigm of my youth to a more open Christianity. I recently took the Belief-O-Matic quiz, just out of curiousity, and it said I was 100% Quaker -- interesting seeing as I don't know much about Quakerism and have never attended a meeting. But, seeing as this quiz said I exhibited that sort of faith, I figured it wouldn't hurt to look into this form of Christianity and see if it might be a good fit for me.

As way of personal testimony, I feel that I am a Christian because I want to love God and love others. But institutional Christianity as a religion based on creeds and dogmas has become less meaningful to me over the years. I am more interested in experiencing God in a real way in my life and in living a life where, hopefully, others can see something of that love in me.

I'm married, have 2 grown children, 2 growing children, 3 grandchildren, and a Maine Coone cat that thinks she is God's gift to the world.

As I've stated, my main interest in learning about contemporary Quakers and how their faith transforms them and the communities where God has placed them.

Regards,
billmc

[Shay]

To be fair- she's a cat. They all think that.

So what, in particular, do you want to know?

[billmc]

[Shay]

Hmmm... the last thing I can think from a pragmatic standpoint is that I was at a hotel in the bar by the pool, it started raining, and I ran out in the rain to move some people's bags/shirts under the eaves that they'd forgotten.

I came back in and my friends spent a good 20 minutes talking about how nice I was, but I wasn't being nice, I was Doing Things That Needed Doing.

Capitals needed because well, that's the kind of everyday/little stuff that few people take responsibility for, but because of the history of Friends, I feel like if something needs doing, there is a history of service that needs living up to, even in the smallest ways.

Is that what you mean?

[james]

Welcome, Bill.

Shay, good example, that. And I know what you mean about doing what needs doing rather than being nice. That's humble in a way people ought to be humble. But being nice, in the simple sense of treating each other well, is underrated. Being nice is something that needs doing. Doing it makes the world better; not doing it makes the world worse.

Also, being nice is not being milquetoast, they way it's too often understood. Part of being nice is speaking out against meanness, against injustice, on behalf of what's right.
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James Riemermann
www.nontheistfriends.org
www.liberalquakers.org

[Gracie]

"but I wasn't being nice, I was Doing Things That Needed Doing."

And that fabulous quote is why I adore the witches in Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels.

Bill, it's obvious to me and to Astrid and Mim lounging here on my computer desk that you should drop everything else and start worshiping the cat. But if you insist on pursuing the Quaker thing against all feline-centered logic, I'd recommend The Quaker Reader by Jasmine West, and a look at the life and actions of John Woolman.

Welcome!
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http://sowingmildoats.wordpress.com

When will our consciences grow so tender that we will act to prevent human misery rather than avenge it?
Eleanore Roosevelt

[RJFoster]

You might consider dropping by the Dallas Meeting. It's at 10 on Sundays or 7:30 PM on Wednesday, located on Worth St.
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Robin Foster