tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-265511791146423221.post1188763147052819048..comments2023-10-28T02:59:37.028-07:00Comments on E m e r g i n g ...Q u a k e r i s m ..L i t e r a t u r e ..R e l i g i o n ... L i f e: On Quaker community: A dose of humility?Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12396312339372162866noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-265511791146423221.post-60912097088245900672015-07-30T18:15:24.058-07:002015-07-30T18:15:24.058-07:00Thanks Bill! And I should have said we don't e...Thanks Bill! And I should have said we don't exist SOLELY to be nurturing communities--I was thinking that we nurture for a purpose ... to pay it forward perhaps?Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12396312339372162866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-265511791146423221.post-81923702134660091912015-07-30T16:02:50.990-07:002015-07-30T16:02:50.990-07:00Hello, Diane! This essay offers lots of food for ...Hello, Diane! This essay offers lots of food for thought. I continue to marvel at the high opinion Friends have of themselves. This self-congratulatory assessment makes objectivity difficult and convinces us that we have little to learn from others. Drastically shrinking numbers should raise questions about whether we are "getting it right," but I don't see much critical self-examination happening. In relation to Conservative Friends, I am reminded of Einstein's definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results!<br /><br />I do question some of your statements; for instance, "We don't exist to be nurturing communities." I would say that nurturing Christian community should be our primary mission! When we can't make our own communities work well, what business do we have trying "to change the world?" To my way of thinking, nurturing a genuine and compassionate community of faith is what would really "change the world."<br /><br />My best to you!Bill Rushbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00579099372065932809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-265511791146423221.post-64576377082103492862015-07-28T11:34:31.013-07:002015-07-28T11:34:31.013-07:00By the time someone has arrived at a way of being ...By the time someone has arrived at a way of being they feel half-way comfortable in -- It would be unusual to want to change.<br /><br />But anyone who can't change is, of course, dead. To go on breathing in such a state is a waste of time -- unless it's a profound act of faith.<br /><br />But people, fortunately, are far from consistent. Thus there is hope for us!<br /><br />forresthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13861950371962268402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-265511791146423221.post-66873079666595287232015-07-28T03:41:17.120-07:002015-07-28T03:41:17.120-07:00I agree, Friend. And it is good to see the somewh...I agree, Friend. And it is good to see the somewhat humbled reassessments of ourselves taking place at your yearly meeting and mine.Marshall Masseyhttp://journal.earthwitness.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-265511791146423221.post-74766697652430851812015-07-27T18:01:44.707-07:002015-07-27T18:01:44.707-07:00Yes!Yes!Johan Maurerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13771067774042071617noreply@blogger.com