Quaker teachings

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Permalink Reply by Les Derbyshire on October 28, 2009 at 8:29pm

I see that I probably didn't fully answer your post on the 26th. Let's see if I can fill it out a bit.

A simple one first, yes the meetings are mixed. There is no inequality in Quakerism.

About the middle man thing, I agree that most religions seem to require some sort of intermediary. Perhaps there is some significance in that Quakerism isn't really a religion as such; it's more a way of life within which members are free to express their own religious and philosophical thoughts. It has its roots in Christianity but has come a long way. Although many Quakers would consider themselves Christian, there are many more whose ideas and beliefs have gone beyond that. Personally, I was brought up in Christianity but have long held far more liberal views. I have problems with much of the dogma contained in many 'mainstream' belief systems and have really developed my own ideas on what it's all about. That of course doesn't mean that I think I have the answers, just that I've thought about 'life, the universe and everything' - to quote Douglas Adams - and come up with a few possibilties!

To me, religion is just one of man's strategies to understand and cope with his existence. Different religions have emerged at various times and within different cultures to reflect the ways in which the culture sees the whole question.

Permalink Reply by s <3 on October 28, 2009 at 8:36pm

I am getting so well informed, thank you.

I have my own ideas on what it's all about too.

I prefer to think for myself, listen to all the ideas and decide what I think is right, rather than have someone tell me.

The internet has been so good for me to learn, as all the youtubes I have watched have downloaded into my brain, reading never sinks into my brain however many times I plod through the text.

Permalink Reply by Les Derbyshire on October 28, 2009 at 10:58pm

Maybe you're a visual person. I think we've probably all sat there with a book, turning the pages, going through the motions and then realising that we can't remember a word of it!

I think we all have a spiritual side, it's part of being a whole person. That doesn't mean we have to attach ourselves to a particular belief, give ourselves a label. It just involves our connectedness with our fellow beings, the universe and all that's in it. How we choose to explain it is up to us as individuals. Some find the stories of the religions helpful, others don't.

Permalink Reply by s <3 on October 28, 2009 at 11:32pm

When Ross was statemented he went through several tests and they decided that he needed to have a visual and a practical to learn. I think we are both very similar. Sophie can learn from a book, or visual or practical.

We are all so different, it does not matter what we believe all that matters is that we truly care.

The buzz words over the last few years have been that we have to learn to love ourselves, I think we have to learn to be humble and choose to give to all living creatures and the earth. Not as easy as learning to love yourself!!!! I know quite a few personally who have no trouble loving themselves, they were born with the talent.

I don't know much about religious stories, but from what I do know there is always an opposite to each one....... turn the other cheek, and an eye for an eye...... I guess it all depends what mood you are in.

Permalink Reply by Les Derbyshire on October 29, 2009 at 12:37am

I think you're right there Sue (about the stories)!
The point is that part of, for instance, the bible, is history and we all know that history changes according to who wrote it! Much of the rest was handed down from one generation to another orally and finally written down much later. The Jews had a great tradition of story-telling and would illustrate what they wanted to say with a nice tale. I really don't see how people can seriously believe that the whole of what we have now as the bible (translated many times) is literally factual. As you say, if you take that line, you end up having to squirm out of a great many contradictions! I know well-meaning folks who pluck out little extracts to 'prove' what they want to say and I have to zip it!

Permalink Reply by s <3 on October 29, 2009 at 10:01am

The Bible has been heavily doctored from what I have learnt, the bits that were not useful to those that paid for the transcribing were left out, the bits that probably told us how powerful we were as individuals and other things on those lines.

Knowledge is power, and those who seek power like to keep knowledge to themselves, either to control others with or to profit from.

Storytelling is a wonderful way of teaching, makes you think too.

I like this short story........

An old Cherokee Indian was speaking to his grandson:

"A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. "It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil--he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is good -- he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too."

The grandson thought about it for a long minute, and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

Permalink Reply by Les Derbyshire on October 30, 2009 at 2:35am

There's wisdom to be found in most traditions if you look for it. That doesn't necessarily make it 'the truth' but it can shed some useful light on life. No-one has a monopoly on the truth.

Permalink Reply by s <3 on October 30, 2009 at 9:00am

I agree there Les, and the truth is not always with the majority, there may be only one that says the truth.

Permalink Reply by Les Derbyshire on October 29, 2009 at 12:44am

Loving yourself? Well I do think there's a healthy level of respecting yourself and having confidence in your own worth. Extreme poor self-image is as damaging as the opposite. So be realistic, learn to love yourself but keep it in proportion. Balance is a word I quite like. And yes, I know a few of those talented ones too Sue!

Permalink Reply by s <3 on October 29, 2009 at 9:51am

Yes, it's all about balance and knowing what is right.... you know a few to then!!!!!! They are everywhere....... lol :D