Statements from North Branch Friends, 2009
(Transcribed from quick notes jotted down during Adult Discussion;
not polished or edited, and in no particular order)
There is that of God or The Divine in each of us. I want to honor it both in myself and in others. We each have access to Spirit or God always; sometimes te access seems foggy & dark. Living in the Light informs my living in this world which includes living with myself, with riends & family, with acquaintances, and with all inhabitants in the world.
I believe in the coporate wisdom of our meeting. I believe our shared experience and discernment is valid and essential. I believe we are held together by a Spirit of love that teaches us to listen fully to one another and to care for our fellow human beings, and that the evidence of this Spirit is visible in our actions--both among ourselves and in our wider community. This visible evidence of Spirit is our Testimony, and I believe
Faith & Practice does an adequate job of describing our shared Testimonies.
I believe that the Light (God/Goddess) is a part of everyone ... That we are all capable of having a direct connection to --- ... Under the layers of what makes us individuals is a common source--a Oneness--the Light. To recognize the Teacher and have that within oneself and others--to live from that sacred space.
- Direct experience of god
- No bible
- Pacifist
- No conscription
- Universalist
- Continuing revelation
(Jim F.)
I believe in a personal, intelligent God whose life and presence is in all things and persons, as well as "out there," and who shares his life with us. Our life is his life. All things live and exist in him/her/it and this presence/life/light can be experienced directly.
I believe that there is a divine presence in the wold & that ther exists a spark of that divine presence in each human being. The divine also exists strongly in nature. I believe that this spark, or light, can uide us if we can "listen" to it or access it. I believe that the words & actions of Jesus were strongly influenced by the divine.
Everyone has to find their own path to God. Quakerism supports and encourages the search. The destination is not as important as the journey itself. When one realizes one doesn't have all the answers, one is less likely to fight someone else wih a different view. In Quakerism it is all right not to know.
The Bible is God's word. Jesus died so our sins could be forgiven.
I believe in the inherent goodness of people. I believe that human beings should care for one another and uphold basic values. These values include basic health--mental, emotional, and physical--for all humans; education; and safety. I believe that we need to take care of our planet and the universe around us, and that we need to be kind and courteous to all people, no matter who they are. I think that ethics should be an issue completely apart from religion. People shouldn't need the desire for eternal happiness or the fear of eternal damnation to spur them into these values. People should care about other people because they're people and they deserve it--not because they'll go to Hell if they don't. --Danica Cooper, age 16