Queer Concerns and the Religious Society of Friends

[deborahjross]

From Santa Cruz Friends Meeting (Quakers), where Dave is a member and I attend:
The Religious Society of Friends from its earliest days has valued that
of God in everyone. This value, as embodied in the testimony of
Equality, has long led Friends to work for a more just society and to
stand by those who face discrimination.

Today we recognize that discrimination is faced by queer* adults and
youth in the form of unjust laws, acts of rejection and violence.
Frequently the results are serious psychological injuries which include
a sense of inferiority, depression, risky behaviors and suicide.

Santa Cruz Friends Meeting re-affirms creating a world in which all are
honored and accepted as equal members of our society. We affirm that:

+ all queer people should have full and equal rights to live their
lives, without fear, as they are led.
+ the community environment of Santa Cruz Friends Meeting is and will
continue to be a space where queer people are safe to be open about
their identities, their needs, and their fears and concerns.
+ equality for queer people shall be reflected in our work within the
Meeting and in our community outreach.


*For the purposes of this minute, "queer" includes individuals who
identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual; individuals who identify as a
gender other than that assigned them at birth; individuals who are
classified as intersexed, such as those born with "ambiguous" genitals;
and any other individual whose sexual or romantic attractions or gender
identity differ from society’s norms or expectations for their sex.

Comments

[michele-briere.livejournal.com]

Beautiful, Deborah, thanks. Just out of curiosity, what do the Quakers think of the 'afterlife'? I know that no matter how peaceful Christians are, it's part of the doctrine that anyone who has not accepted Jesus, is doomed to hell. I cannot believe such people as Ghandi and Buddha would be denied the peace of their afterlife. So how do Quakers see the afterlife for non-Christians?

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

Quakerism is completely non-dogmatic. There are a few basic principles, notably the recognition of "that of God" in every person. Over time and experience, most came to unity regarding "testimonies" to put that principle into action, for example, Equality, Simplicity, Integrity, and Peace. (Salvation, hell, etc., are nowhere on the list!)

Although historically Quakerism has its roots in Christianity, many modern progressive Quakers do not consider themselves Christian. Our meeting includes Jews (like me), Buddhists, Universalists, and atheists who find the testimonies and traditions of Quakerism deeply nourishing on a spiritual level.

Here's a link to the subject in Faith And Practice (a sort of consensual guidebook) from Pacific Yearly Meeting. http://www.pacificyearlymeeting.org/fp/pymfp2001pg012.html

There's a wonderful story about John Woolman, an early Quaker, who visited the neighboring Indians, "That I might feel and understand their life and the spirit they live in, if haply I might receive some instruction from them, or they be in any degree helped forward by my following the leadings of Truth amongst them." On that journey, when Woolman spoke without interpretation, an Indian who didn't understand English said, "I love to hear where the words come from."

[michele-briere.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Deborah. I find it all very interesting. While I am personally not drawn to it enough to 'sign up', I appreciate the peaceful actions.

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

Quakers make wonderful allies because they're so non-judgmental about other beliefs, including no belief at all. I love just sitting in silence in a room full of loving, accepting people.

[the-resa.livejournal.com]

Just another "thanks" for the link!

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome.

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

That's a wonderful, heartening statement.

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

I wish we heard more like it.