It is refreshingly thoughtful. I like the idea that God is still speaking.
We talked about nations. Reading passage -- in the third edition of the 'Quaker Bible' (which is a collection of materials that have been uttered or penned by Quakers in the last few hundred years). The passage is as follows:
Our principle is, and our practices have always been, to seek peace, and ensue it, and to follow after righteousness and the knowledge of God, seeking the good and welfare, and doing that which tends to the peace of all. All bloody principles and practices we do utterly deny, with all outward wars, and strife, and fightings with outward weapons, for any end, or under any pretence whatsoever, and this is our testimony to the whole world. That spirit of Christ by which we are guided is not changeable, so as once to command us from a thing as evil, and again to move unto it; and we do certainly know, and so testify to the world, that the spirit of Christ which leads us into all Truth will never move us to fight and war against any man with outward weapons, neither for the kingdom of Christ, nor for the kingdoms of this world.
And as for the kingdoms of this world, we cannot covet them, much less can we fight for them, but we do earnestly desire and wait, that by the word of God's power and its effectual operation in the hearts of men the kingdoms of this world may become the kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ, that he might rule and reign in men by his spirit and truth, that thereby all people, out of all different judgments and professions might be brought into love and unity with God and one with another, and that they might all come to witness the prophet's words, who said, `Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more'. (Isaiah 2:4; Micah 4:3)
The primary thing we, collectively, got out of this was, basically: war sucks. That's a pretty quick and obvious translation, we actually spend a good hour discussing this passage, but what I want most to talk about here is a thought of mine that this corroborated.
I mean no disrespect by the following, I realize that there is a lot to be said against it and that many people have spent their lives in opposition to it. But I don't like the idea of fighting for nothing more than the name of your country and it's symbols. For it's people... Well, maybe. That's another story, really. But the basic idea of a nation isn't something you should serve, but something that should serve you!
Ask not what you can do for your country, ask what your country can do for you!
That is why it's bloody there.
Following the Quaker service in Bismarck, I attended the Unitarian fellowship which was preached to by Clay Jenkinson, a radio star and reporter in the area.
He articulated very clearly many ideas which I hold dear. Which is the advantage of the UU set up: there are people who know things you don't and can say them better than you. So listen. Perhaps someday you can share something that you can articulate very well.
Like a Quaker, Clay is interested in modern theology. How the world is now and how to interact with it spiritually. He uses Thoreau's Walden as his bible, but wants to create a contemporary bible for the North American plains. Filled with songs and literature and excerpts from people who have actually lived in on these planes and preached what wisdom they had.
Such a compilation would be pretty useful, I do think.
You might be able to acquire a copy of this 'sermon' by going here.
It's good for you.
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