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sparklemc



Joined: 08 Nov 2005
Posts: 1

PostPosted: Tue Nov 8, 2005 8:48 pm    Post subject: Questions to Quakers Reply with quote

Hello, I'm doing a religious paper on Friend/Quaker. I have a couple questions.
What opressions/prejudice/discrimination do Quakers experience today?

Also, do Quakers show signs of affection like hugging, kissing or touching family or friends?

Thank you.

Holly
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james



Joined: 11 Jun 2004
Posts: 1108
Location: Minneapolis

PostPosted: Wed Nov 9, 2005 9:19 am    Post subject: Re: Questions to Quakers Reply with quote

sparklemc wrote:
Hello, I'm doing a religious paper on Friend/Quaker. I have a couple questions.
What opressions/prejudice/discrimination do Quakers experience today?

Also, do Quakers show signs of affection like hugging, kissing or touching family or friends?


Hi, Holly. In my own limited experience, modern North American Quakers are not systematically oppressed in any way, though I wouldn't be surprised if some of that small minority who still practice "plain dress" or "plain speech" may suffer some for their visible non-conformity.

I have read from Friends on this forum that much more substantial religious oppression of Quakers occurs in some third-world countries. Others might speak to that.

The Quakers I know are VERY big on hugging, and probably kiss and touch as much or more than the average American.
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newyawka



Joined: 04 Nov 2005
Posts: 50

PostPosted: Wed Nov 9, 2005 10:43 am    Post subject: Re: Questions to Quakers Reply with quote

sparklemc wrote:
Also, do Quakers show signs of affection like hugging, kissing or touching family or friends?


they shake hands at least once a week - of that i'm sure Razz
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Taogypsy



Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Posts: 75

PostPosted: Thu Nov 10, 2005 4:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hello Holly,

I can only speak for myself in this and have no inhibitions in any way regarding interaction with people, as they indicate. My family is a demonstrative family that hugs and kisses upon meeting.

We are seemingly very pleased to see each other again, especially as we live far apart, and see each other not nearly often enough.
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To make it work again, try to see it from the side of misunderstanding.
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walkinlight



Joined: 09 Nov 2005
Posts: 11

PostPosted: Thu Nov 10, 2005 11:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

On average, Quakers don't experience any oppression these days, but I must confess that I converted to the Religious Society of Friends when I was over in Afghanistan as a combatant ... Quakers have a tendency to be pacifists, following Christ's nonviolent loving Example. Needless to say, my commander was *not* happy about that, and, um, I received an unhealthy amount of oppression for that.

As a result, I (personally, I cannot speak for any other Friends on this) recognize no earthly human government except those events which God Almighty wills be done. If the government does not follow Christ's will, it does not exist in my opinion. I do not pay Bush's war tax, much to the dismay of the IRS, and I refuse to aid in the Petroleum Wars anymore than I already have done.
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wsamuel
Site Admin


Joined: 28 Jul 2002
Posts: 699
Location: Silver Spring, MD, USA

PostPosted: Thu Nov 10, 2005 7:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
What opressions/prejudice/discrimination do Quakers experience today?

In the USA, as someone else indicated, Quakers don't encounter much of this as Quakers per se.

As a people with a peace testimony, Quakers sometimes experience imprisonment, being barred from certain kinds of employment, denial of benefits open to others in the same situation except for conscientious objection to war, etc.

In some other parts of the world, Friends experience oppression/prejudice/discrimination primarily for being Christians in non-Christian cultures where there is a great deal of hostility to Christians. In addition to this because they are associated with the faith itself, they suffer it because of the consequences of the faith in the social structure - e.g., that it is incompatible with the caste system because it holds all people as equally valued by God.

Quote:
Also, do Quakers show signs of affection like hugging, kissing or touching family or friends?

Quakers really don't have any particular distinction in this area. Some are quite demonstrative, and others are not.
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newyawka



Joined: 04 Nov 2005
Posts: 50

PostPosted: Fri Nov 11, 2005 10:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

i'm moved by walkinlight's testimony, and continue to wonder how the christian message can be turned to the justification of such as the invasion of iraq.
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