Advices and queries, 5
Jun. 23rd, 2019 10:32 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
notreallystarsAs I couldn't be at Meeting today I thought I'd do another one of these. Moving house has taken up almost all of my brainspace recently and it will be good to think about something else for a bit!
5. Take time to learn about other people’s experiences of the Light. Remember the importance of the Bible, the writings of Friends and all writings which reveal the ways of God. As you learn from others, can you in turn give freely from what you have gained? While respecting the experiences and opinions of others, do not be afraid to say what you have found and what you value. Appreciate that doubt and questioning can also lead to spiritual growth and to a greater awareness of the Light that is in us all.
- Quaker Faith and Practice, Advices and Queries
I'm fascinated by other people's experience of religion and faith, not only within my own pagan/polytheist and Quaker communities, but more broadly. I love reading about people's faith journies, their religious practices, the way their faith makes them feel. I've always considered this valuable to my personal and spiritual development and I love that Quakers actively encourage this. Although this isn't explicitly pro multi path spirituality, it feels pretty affirming to me as a polytheist going into Quakerism.
I do wander, though, whether I do give as freely from my own knowledge and experience. The Meeting I go to at the moment is pretty firmly Christian Quaker, and although I'm definitely welcome I would feel rather awkward trying to share with these people the way the particular form and style of my faith and practice works. Now that I think about it, I can't say for certain whether I hold those things back out of respect or fear. Quakers really don't turn away people who don't agree with them, but I grew up queer in the Anglican Church, and my experiences there have made me wary.
5. Take time to learn about other people’s experiences of the Light. Remember the importance of the Bible, the writings of Friends and all writings which reveal the ways of God. As you learn from others, can you in turn give freely from what you have gained? While respecting the experiences and opinions of others, do not be afraid to say what you have found and what you value. Appreciate that doubt and questioning can also lead to spiritual growth and to a greater awareness of the Light that is in us all.
- Quaker Faith and Practice, Advices and Queries
I'm fascinated by other people's experience of religion and faith, not only within my own pagan/polytheist and Quaker communities, but more broadly. I love reading about people's faith journies, their religious practices, the way their faith makes them feel. I've always considered this valuable to my personal and spiritual development and I love that Quakers actively encourage this. Although this isn't explicitly pro multi path spirituality, it feels pretty affirming to me as a polytheist going into Quakerism.
I do wander, though, whether I do give as freely from my own knowledge and experience. The Meeting I go to at the moment is pretty firmly Christian Quaker, and although I'm definitely welcome I would feel rather awkward trying to share with these people the way the particular form and style of my faith and practice works. Now that I think about it, I can't say for certain whether I hold those things back out of respect or fear. Quakers really don't turn away people who don't agree with them, but I grew up queer in the Anglican Church, and my experiences there have made me wary.