Well, they say there's not such thing as bad publicity, but... when I heard that "Clark Rockefeller" claimed to be a Quaker, that, to me, proved that cliche' false. This is the guy that abducted his 7 year old daughter off a Boston street and then eluded a massive manhunt while hiding out in the Baltimore area.Sounds very Quakerly to me. Kidnapping. Hiding. Lying. I don't' think those exactly fit the Quaker testimonies of peace-making, truth-telling, or much of anything else, for that matter.
But then, of course (because I do think too much), I began wondering about other bad Quaker apples -- John Dillinger and Richard Nixon come to mind. And some of the "good" ones were odd ducks, too. Like James Nayler -- led into Bristol astride an ass with women shouting "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." Or George Fox with his reputation of confronting Puritan preachers. Or Brent Bill who often doesn't live up to the testimonies as he should.
So I guess I should cut old Clark a break. After all, there's only been one person who lived up to our ideals -- "What a Friend we have in Jesus."
-- Brent
4 comments:
Hi there. I found your blog through QuakerDave (and had previously glanced through your book at the bookstore), and was considering adding you to my blogroll. Is that okay? You're under no obligation to reciprocate, but I like to ask people before I add them.
My blog is at: http://innerquiet.wordpress.com/
Hi Kelsey -- thanks for writing. You're more than welcome to add me to your blogroll. I am familiar with yours and read it regularly.
Hope all is well w/ you.
Friends,
Brent
You already know of it and read it regularly? I'm flattered. Thank you!
I hear that bad guy Abe Lincoln was from Quaker stock, as well. Him and his thinly veiled Quaker beard.... oh the nerve!
Post a Comment