Why I am not a Friend (Christian, Budhist, Atheist...)

[Otto]

"If we study the history of the Quakers, we cannot but admire the strength
they have acquired through their faith and through their efforts to live up
to that faith in their daily life. They have always been opposed to violence
in any form, and many considered their refusal to take part in wars the most
important tenet of their religion. But it is not quite so simple. It is
certainly true that the Declaration of 1660 states: «We utterly deny all
outward wars and strife and fightings with outward weapons, for any end and
under any pretence whatsoever. And this is our testimony to the whole
world.» But that goes much further than a refusal to take part in war. It
leads to this: it is better to suffer injustice than to commit injustice. It
is from within man himself that victory must in the end be gained."
Gunnar Jahn, Chairman of the Nobel Committee
http://www.nobel.se/peace/laureates/1947/press.html

What are Quakers? A minority taking the example Jesus gave literally, a
difficult thing in the world we're in. And quite different from intolerant
Puritanism in 17th century America.

Technically Daniel Boone cannot be called a Quaker because the became Roman
Catholic and "volunteered in the War of 1812, and was disgusted to be turned
down because he was 78 years old."
http://websites.quincy.edu/~hardeja/cemeteries/Boone-obit.html

Is Dixon still one when he encounters the classical Quaker-dilemma? He
proves to be a brave man, a victory for humanity, but personally it's a
defeat for a Quaker. But nevertheless it's a Quaker quality he shows, he's
not afraid of getting into trouble to help other people.

For our European view Quakers have always played a prominent role in the
history of slavery in the USA; they were the ones who gave shelter to
runaway slaves, helped them to get to the North. While their ideas of
equality and tolerance found their way into the constitution the society in
large parts has not gone that way.

>
> Franklin, Poe, Melville, Cooper, Whitman, Hawthorne, Irving,
> Dickenson, Alcott, Alger, Stowe, Lippard....lot of Quakers in American
Lit.
>

Since there are not that many Quakers living in America an impressive list.

Otto

----- Original Message -----
From: Terrance <lycidas2 at earthlink.net>
To: <pynchon-l at waste.org>
Sent: Monday, March 11, 2002 12:05 AM
Subject: Re: Why I am not a Friend (Christian, Budhist, Atheist...)