Paths to Quakerism

From the Forum on Paths to Quakerism, March 2004

Friends who attended the though provoking forum on paths to Quakerism may remember that Shirley Philips, who facilitated the discussion, had additional questions prepared that she didn't get to (or need to) use. Because the discussion was so rich, and the insights gained were so helpful, many who were there wanted the sharing to continue. To that end, here are the additional questions that Shirley had devised.

1. Does it trouble you that you do not know the “core" beliefs of others in the meeting?

2. Does it bother you that sometimes you do hear the core beliefs of someone and they are the very opposite of your own? Do you feel the need to change, inform or redirect the other person?

3. Are there aspects of being a Quaker that give you pause?

4. Do you feel that you had to give up anything to become a Quaker?

5. Are there aspects of being in the Quaker community, or using Quaker process that are difficult for you?

6. Has the meeting changed since you joined? Are you comfortable with that?

7. Have you changed in some way since you joined?

8. When you tell other people about Quakers or our Meeting, what do you stress?

9. How important would you rank the community as an aspect of what you seek in a religious experience?

10. How would you describe your personal worship experience in Meeting as compared with your previous religious practice?

If you have thoughts about how you'd like to be involved in this ongoing discussion, contact any member of the ad hoc committee on "who we are" (sometimes referred to as the Holiday committee): Hollister Knowlton, Phil Jones, Dona Garrettson, Kerry Krieger, Linda Ruthen, Johanna Barbati.