From: Wim Nusselder (wim.nusselder@antenna.nl)
Date: Tue Jun 08 2004 - 06:51:11 BST
Dear Platt,
You wrote 7 Jun 2004 15:20:40 -0400:
'Even at a young age ... I was attracted to Quaker handicrafts because they
were so unembellished ... It didn't appeal to me to sit for an hour or so
and wait for the Spirit to move me to speak ... If pacifism is not a part of
the Quaker doctrine, as you report, I'm happy to be corrected. But I do note
that you seem extremely reluctant to wage war against tyrants, terrorists
and other assorted criminals..'
So creating and contemplating art and pursuing beauty IS your natural
religion.
Quaker pacifism, the essence of which is very well described as 'extreme
reluctance to wage war' (or use violence in general) indeems stems not from
any doctrine, but from practising reluctance to speak (and to justify action
as 'religious' or 'moral') unless moved to do so. I don't exclude the
possibility that I may be moved to use violence in a future situation.
Neither were Quakers excluded from their communities when they chose
conscientiously to take up arms against Hitler. Quite a few did.
With friendly greetings,
Wim
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