ZOOM Summary

Summary

Quakerism and Spiritual Perfection

The group discussed the theme of perfection in Quakerism, focusing on a book titled "Our Life is Love" by Marcelle Martin. They explored the concept of perfection as a spiritual journey involving 10 stages, including longing, seeking, turning within, refiner's fire, community, leadings, the cross, abiding, and perfection. The discussion highlighted how early Quakers believed people could choose to overcome their sinful nature, contrasting with Calvinist beliefs about total depravity. Participants shared personal experiences of spiritual awakening and seeking, including how Quaker ideas influenced writers like Walt Whitman, and how modern spiritual seekers often struggle to find meaningful spiritual practice outside organized religion.

Quakerism for Modern Spiritual Seekers

Quakertown discussed how Quakerism could address the needs of modern spiritual seekers, particularly those who identify as "spiritual but not religious." There are four types of spiritual but not religious individuals, including atheists and those who attend non-denominational churches, which may be misclassified as Protestant in surveys. Quakertown outlined the project to compare Quakerism with other denominations, highlighting how Quakers focus on personal spiritual experience rather than dogma, and emphasized the practice of "living the question" without requiring immediate answers. The conversation also touched on how Quakerism differs from other religions and rejection of external authority [priests, bishops], with participants noting the challenges this creates for community decision-making and the development of unique Quaker practices like business meetings and discernment processes. The group discussed existentialism and its connection to Quakerism, with plans for a future session on Christian existentialism featuring the works of Søren Kierkegaard a Danish philosopher.