Quaker Heaven
From: Melissa Elliott
Sent: Friday, May 28, 1999 9:21 AM
Subject: Quakers & heaven
Here's a little something from the Quaker-L list about
heaven and what it means to Quakers. Some of you probably
read it this morning. It is a response to a woman who
inquired about the Quaker view of heaven. The responses
have ranged from, "This is it, so deal with it," to "I
believe in bodily resurrection." This one made
me laugh:
A friend was asking me about the Quaker view of heaven.
She hasn't heard much about it, knows that we emphasize
this world as opposed to justice in the beyond, but
that doesn't necesssarily negate the latter. Anyone
have references or personal opinions that would allow
me to present a thoughtful answer, despite my lack
of official intelligence?
Someone once asked a weighty Friend if he thought that
only Quakers go to heaven.
He answered, "It wouldn't pay to keep the place
open just for Quakers."
We could have some fun thinking up the characteristics
of the Heaven Friends Meeting. Things like:
--No arguments in house and grounds committee.
--Everyone is completely happy with whatever time everyone
else shows up
for Meeting for Worship.
--Business Meetings end early.
--Popcorn Meetings have real popcorn.
Feel free to add to the list.
Web Clerk: Maybe we should put it on the website and solicit additions.
Meeting Clerk: Hmm. A crude indicator of who's looking (that is, who looks and bothers to reply!). And then we can get their e-mail addresses and bombard them with Quaker junk mail!! Build a mailing list that we could then sell to merchandisers of sensible shoes, gray clothing and small, unsafe, underpowered cars (not to mention granola, recycled paper products and other sacred objects). I like it.
If, after this warning, you wish to add to the (on-line) list, send additions to the Web Clerk.
Additions/comments to date:
Sensible shoes are stylish. 5/30
When you have a 3-6 week first-day school program organized, all of the children who showed up for the first class, show up for all of the other classes and no new comers in the subsequent classes. Janet Boys