Month: January 2007

(This is a part of my “Top Ten things that drive me crazy about Quakers” list.) 3. The separation of Jesus and social action I know that the identity wars among Quakers in the early 20th century were painful and rooted in the deep convictions …

(This is a part of my “Top Ten things that drive me crazy about Quakers” list.) 4. Why aren’t U.S. Quakers exploding in growth? Our combination of inward, deep spirituality with outward, passionate social activism is one that a postmodern world is crying out for. …

(This is a part of my “Top Ten things that drive me crazy about Quakers” list.) 5. Our “Just Say No” attitude toward anything charismatic We believe God speaks to us all, but hush the prophetic voice. We want to yield completely to God’s Holy …

(This is a part of my “Top Ten things that drive me crazy about Quakers” list.) 6. Our lack of humility in wider Christian circles There are Nazarenes who earnestly want to hear from God. There are Baptists who long for God’s justice to roll …

(This is a part of my “Top Ten things that drive me crazy about Quakers” list.) 7. Individualistic, self-defined faith George Fox famously described the power of a real encounter with God in his journal: “When all my hopes…in all men were gone, so that …

(This is a part of my “Top Ten things that drive me crazy about Quakers” list.) 8. Pride in our peculiarities While we often give lip service to our frustration at being a marginalized minority, we can also take a quixotic pride in our uniqueness. …

(This is a part of my “Top Ten things that drive me crazy about Quakers” list.) 9. Our jargon “Are you FGC or EFI?” “Are all hearts clear?” “Is that an FUM or EFM field?” “That of God in each person.” NWYM, AFSC, YAF, FWCC. …

(This is a part of my “Top Ten things that drive me crazy about Quakers” list.) 10. That oatmeal guy Yes, that cherub-faced grandfather figure on the Quaker Oatmeal container is ubiquitous, but please-I’m tired of hearing people use the Quaker Oats guy as a …

When I finished my “Top Ten Reasons Why I’m a Quaker” list, I caught myself mentally making another, quite different list. I want to be clear: I’m completely committed to being a Quaker. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. But that doesn’t mean we are …