Today was the second day of the Gathering of the Friends General Conference in Johnstown, Pa., and I’m in a fantastic workshop called “Beyond Hearsay Testimony.” It looks as the history of testimony in Quaker traditions, how it changed in prominence, meaning and importance, and what it’s role is today. It’s very nerdy and esoteric, and right up my alley.
Today we discussed the age-old practice of reading Quakers out of meeting (also known as excommunication), a practice which is never seen today. Not that I bemoan the loss of such a practice, but it bring up an interesting dilemma – where have the discerning, judging, guiding Quakers gone?
Judgment is certainly not new to Quakers, and traces back to Quakerism founder, George Fox. It is rumored that his journal once contained a section named “The Book of Rewards,” in which he kept track of God’s treatment of others. Any time something terrible happened to someone Fox disliked, he attributed it to divine retribution, and if nothing bad happened to his enemies, he imagined horrible punishments for them in the afterlife. The existence of this book is not certain, however, as his journal was severely edited after his death by other Quakers, and the juicy parts were eliminated.
Quakers continued to excoriate those who went against their ways, be they Anglicans or other Friends. In the century before the Declaration of Independence, tens of thousands of Quakers in America were read out for charges like pre-marital sex, marrying a non-Quaker, joining the military, or owning slaves. Here’s a nice one from Goshen, Pa. in 1741:
“J.Y. disowned because he hath given way to a libertine spirit as to strip off his shirt in order to fight with another person with blows at a public house, they being playing a game called hustle cap. John, informed he must make a public acknowledgment, refused, saying he was assured to be at his liberty. And was disowned.”
The alternative was a Testimony of Acknowledgment. Essentially, those who had committed wrongdoings repented openly in meeting, and their sorrows were written in the minutes. Here’s a humorous one from Wilmington, Del. in 1751:
“Friends, Whereas I contended with my neighbor, W.S., for what I apprehended to be my right, by endeavoring to turn a certain stream of water into its natural course, till it arose a personal difference; in which dispute I gave way to warmth of temper so far as to put my friend W. into the pond; for which action of mine, being contrary to the good order of Friends, I am sorry, and desire, through Divine assistance, to live in unity with him for the future. From your friend, J.W.”
But all that fizzled out. As time went on, Quakers didn’t disown as much, and judgment became calmer. Oversight committees stopped making it their duty to be the watchdog of the community.
But now, where are the Quakers? Quakers no longer spend as much time warning others not to tread the wrong path, as they do highlighting the right path. But as many meetings allow for Jewish Friends, non-theist Friends, gay Friends, and even militarily employed Friends, the right path has multiplied. It’s gotten to the point that meetings are often so preoccupied with politeness and pleasantries, that keeping those from “walking in a disorderly fashion,” has become moot.
But even when the straight and narrow goes in many directions, there are still wrong paths. Even a multi-facted faith such as Quakerism must make room for the wrongs that humans commit, as no one is perfect enough to simply dwell in the right. A faith that only addresses the good in a human being does not address the whole person.
I’m not saying that Quakers should go back to reading out its members, but some checks and balances are healthy. Allowing time in meeting for worship for indulgences such as Testimonies of Acknowledgment provides relief, guidance, and a learning moment for the greater meeting.
In other news, I played volleyball on the beach with young Quakers today. I wasn’t half bad!
Also, my sister referenced me on her blog, which is very cute. She also makes me mention how funny it is whenever I talk to her.
