Quakers

I've discovered that there are several Quaker Friends Meetings in my area (none within convenient driving distance, of course...and I hear NC just increased the state tax on gas...) and I've been reading about Quakerism.  Not all Quakers are Christian, but many (possibly most) are, and most are at least deist (obviously, I'm generalizing here).  They (generally) believe there is a divine force that is at work in our world, probably the single God of Abrahamic religions (Christianity, Judaism, Islam), but, as you can see in the blog post I link to below, this God may not require the belief in Christ Jesus as the Savior. 

This post, "Quakers and the New Covenant", questions how Quakers (a discussion from one Quaker to other Quakers) build their theology around the idea of God's New Covenant, that which Christians believe took effect with the coming of Jesus (as Christ or not).  

When you check out this post, I hope you notice one of the wonderful things that I've found almost ubiquitous in anything related to Quakers and Quakerism.  That is: a respect for discussion, thoughtful questioning, and utmost mutual respect for the input and opinions of others.  And a lack of knee-jerk anger, defensiveness, or judgment.  This quality is what has attracted me to Quakerism over and over again.  (Again, I understand I am generalizing and do not have much experience in Friends Meetings, but, well, I've found in my reading that I'm not the only one to see and be attracted to these qualities, even if they aren't present in all Meetings.)

"Quakers and the New Covenant", from Susanne's Quaker Musings.

http://quakersusanne.wordpress.com/2010/12/12/quakers-and-the-new-covenant/

More Than a Blog

Check out the tabs at the top of the page, below the explanation of the blog's name.  I have two web pages attached, so far: "Expanding Minds" and "About this Blog."

"Expanding Minds" has links to a wealth of online information and, hopefully, items to help us all call our assumptions and stereotypes into question. I can only speak for myself, so these are items that have certainly made me stop and think more carefully.  

I'd like to have a discussion page, but I'm still working on how to manage that from the technology side.  I'd like to keep that side of the blog free, which means I have to do more by hand, in terms of HTML.  And I'm a tad rusty...

Right Now

I'm leaving a secure career as a school librarian to go back to school for another bachelor's degree.  My first was in English.  This one is Religion and Philosophy.  In addition, I'll be dedicating time to regular yoga practice.  I can tell you that this is what I'll be doing for at least the next year and approximately six months more.  Beyond that, I cannot see. 

My goals for these upcoming months is a serious personal investment in studying why / how / what humans do and think about what is underlying our existence; in exploring my own personal existence and beliefs as I enrich myself with more knowledge and experiences, hopefully drawing me closer to understanding our shared humanity more; and to create a constructive, nurturing, and sustainable lifestyle for myself based upon what I learn and explore. 

Now, some may scoff and call these ridiculously noble and high goals, even say they're the luxury of a middle class white girl...but these folks wouldn't say that:

• the Dalai Lama (who preaches compassion and seeks inter-faith and religious harmony, despite death threats and murders of his fans and followers)
• members of the Freedom From Religion Foundation (who just wish people wouldn't try to kill them or shut them up in America because they are atheists, agnostics, humanists, deists, or simply don't want evangelicals interrupting their day by trespassing with pamphlets)
• American Christians who are slowly realizing that separation of church and state also protects them from being ruled by Muslim Sharia Law (despite no solid proof that such a threat is close to being realized, the fear certainly helps lots of people suddenly understand the whole logic behind the separation and why America's founding fathers thunk it up in the first place)
• the 23% of Americans who are not Christian and still think the Constitution applies to them, too

...well, these people don't think such goals of understanding philosophy and religion better are ridiculous or luxuries.

Personally, I feel that the only life worth living is the examined one.  I think Socrates muttered something about that once upon a time.