The New Chat Thread!

[torsie24]

Right, I'll try to answer the questions.

Firstly yes, Quakerism is the right term - not that I'd mind if you got it wrong

Sometimes we go the whole hour without anybody standing and saying anything. There's quite a lot of silence though - a busy Meeting often only has 5 or 6 things said, maybe more, but there's definitely more silence than speaking.

You can say pretty much anything you want. Some meetings follow a theme (this theme just happens as people say things and the next person follows on, it's never planned that way), where as others are quite varied. Some people talk about their sorrows and thoughts, other people read passages from Quaker Faith & Practice (kind of like the bible, but not).

I believe the reason for only speaking once is for a number of reasons:
1) it removes the chance to have "arguments", because everybody is equal and is entitled to their opinion
2) similarly, it removes the chance to become influential within a Meeting.

There's probably another reason I've missed, but I can't think of any others.

I'll explain how I got into it in a second, once I've congratulated Torsie

Cool, sounds a nice branch of xtianity.

I really don;t like it as a religion in general....but I like the sound of quaker equality. (The lack of it is one of my main issues with your more popular religions)

 

[torsie24]

Cool, sounds a nice branch of xtianity.

I really don;t like it as a religion in general....but I like the sound of quaker equality. (The lack of it is one of my main issues with your more popular religions)

I'm still here - jack's on spore still....

 

[A Small World]

I'm still here - jack's on spore still....

Mr Small Worlds just gone up to bed. Im always last to go these days

 

[torsie24]

Mr Small Worlds just gone up to bed. Im always last to go these days

Treat them mean...lol

 

[A Small World]

Treat them mean...lol

Hes putting up with my Dis obsession at the moment - although he often reads the posts as well. When hes working from home I often come home and find him logged on

 

[torsie24]

Jack has a read over my shoulder, and LOVES the quiz.

If he joined he would totally get as addicted as me!

 

[ukstitch]

Right, where was I.

I went to my first Quaker Meeting about a year into university at Reading, which means I've been involved in Quakerism for about 3 1/2 years now. I started going because I became interested in it through my ex-GF (the same one I spoke of earlier tonight).

I became really interested, so started going to Meetings both in Reading and in Portsmouth out of my own interest, then I started becoming involved in the 18 - 30 Quaker activities as well.

When we broke up, I had taken Quakerism as my own, so (after a break due to being really busy moving back home and finishing my degree), I continued to attend Quaker Meetings when I move home.

I'm hoping to apply for Membership in the next few years, but I want to finish my degree first, because at the moment, my attendance is a little more sporadic than I would like.

 

[A Small World]

Jack has a read over my shoulder, and LOVES the quiz.

If he joined he would totally get as addicted as me!

We've often joked that if Mr Small World joined we'd speak to each other more

 

[A Small World]

Right, where was I.

I went to my first Quaker Meeting about a year into university at Reading, which means I've been involved in Quakerism for about 3 1/2 years now. I started going because I became interested in it through my ex-GF (the same one I spoke of earlier tonight).

I became really interested, so started going to Meetings both in Reading and in Portsmouth out of my own interest, then I started becoming involved in the 18 - 30 Quaker activities as well.

When we broke up, I had taken Quakerism as my own, so (after a break due to being really busy moving back home and finishing my degree), I continued to attend Quaker Meetings when I move home.

I'm hoping to apply for Membership in the next few years, but I want to finish my degree first, because at the moment, my attendance is a little more sporadic than I would like.

Thanks for that Rob- I know you asked me a question last week about which Church I attended when I mentioned Id been to Church and I neve answered you. I will one day but not tonight but will tell you that its not a normal traditional Church either - very different to Quakerism though

 

[torsie24]

We've often joked that if Mr Small World joined we'd speak to each other more

Hahaha, would be the same here.

Esssh, just saw how late it is. Deinfitely sleeping now!!

Night xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[A Small World]

Hahaha, would be the same here.

Esssh, just saw how late it is. Deinfitely sleeping now!!

Night xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Night Torsie again. Speak to you tomorrow

 

[ukstitch]

Sorry I ask too many questions

no harm in questions - if that's two less people who associate me with the Quaker Oats guy and the Amish, then I'll be happy. There's a lot of common misconceptions which drive you mad after a while

Cool, sounds a nice branch of xtianity.

I really don;t like it as a religion in general....but I like the sound of quaker equality. (The lack of it is one of my main issues with your more popular religions)

It's not for everybody - I love the calm and peace I get from the Meeting and personally struggle with a more traditional preacher style of worship; I even struggle with Programmed Quaker worship.

Equality is really important in Quakerism. There's 4 main Testimonies (pillars):

Equality
Truth
Simplicity
Peace

I have to admit, I'm not so good at the simplicity testimony, but I find the other 3 really important to me.

There's also talks of adding a 5th (the testimonies reflect the concerns of the time), which would be a testimony to the Environment.

 

[ukstitch]

Thanks for that Rob- I know you asked me a question last week about which Church I attended when I mentioned Id been to Church and I neve answered you. I will one day but not tonight but will tell you that its not a normal traditional Church either - very different to Quakerism though

Whenever (PM or public, not fussed)

I find religion (or lack of) really interesting - it's something that everybody has such a different view on and I don't think any 2 people on this planet believe the same thing.

 

[A Small World]

I thought there was a link to the Quaker Oats guy - he started the religion of something. Am I wrong?

 

[ukstitch]

Hahaha, would be the same here.

Esssh, just saw how late it is. Deinfitely sleeping now!!

Night xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Good night again Torsie

 

[A Small World]

Whenever (PM or public, not fussed)

I find religion (or lack of) really interesting - it's something that everybody has such a different view on and I don't think any 2 people on this planet believe the same thing.

Just to tired tonight to go into it but its something Im very interested in as well. I have strong beliefs

 

[ukstitch]

I thought there was a link to the Quaker Oats guy - he started the religion of something. Am I wrong?

The company Quaker (as in Quaker Oats etc) were named because of the famous Truth and Integrity of Quakers as far as I know. They actually have nothing to do with Quakers what so ever.

A lot of the famous brands of today were originally founded by Quakers though, especially chocolate companies for some reason.

Both Cadbury's and Rowntree's were originally Quaker companies, plus there's quite a few other Quaker based firms that I can't think of at the moment.

 

[A Small World]

Im going to bed in a minute as really tired now - Id promised myself an early night but once again failed - its too interesing on here

 

[Cyrano]

I did it!!

2000!!!!!!

Never doubted you could do it

 

[A Small World]

The company Quaker (as in Quaker Oats etc) were named because of the famous Truth and Integrity of Quakers as far as I know. They actually have nothing to do with Quakers what so ever.

A lot of the famous brands of today were originally founded by Quakers though, especially chocolate companies for some reason.

Both Cadbury's and Rowntree's were originally Quaker companies, plus there's quite a few other Quaker based firms that I can't think of at the moment.

Oh yes I knew about the chocolate ones now you mention it