tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36295725.post9221739127044388000..comments2023-12-25T14:38:40.017-05:00Comments on Holy Ordinary: The Sacraments of Everyday Life: Faster than a speeding Bible -- Superheroes and FaithBrent Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01351957537347562545noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36295725.post-36143627311111891032008-03-29T11:09:00.000-04:002008-03-29T11:09:00.000-04:00I've been doing more thinking about being a "Radic...I've been doing more thinking about being a "Radical [fill in the blank with Testimony of your choice]."<BR/><BR/>Our Peace Testimony isn't the only one we have, but it's the one that comes most quickly to mind if you put the modifier "radical" first. But I wonder if we can also think about being "Radical Eqalitarians" or "Radical Simplicity Seekers" or "Radical Persons of Integrity."<BR/><BR/>The being radical part is something that is troublesome to folks, sometimes because we often associate that word with in-your-face agitating.<BR/><BR/>But if we think of our Testimonies as *already* radical, then perhaps it's easier to see ourselves committed to them. It's counter-cultural (in the developed world, at least) to live a simple life, for example. And so, the person who has made a sincere commitment to live that life, in spite of the discomfort of being different or the lack of convenience is a person I want to know--and learn from.<BR/><BR/>We all have the opportunity to think about our Testimonies, figure out how they might work in our lives and then go foreward with a plan to live them.<BR/><BR/>I wonder how often we (including myself) take a break from being in the world--attached to life as defined by media, trends, and affluence--to comtemplate the spiritual nourishment we might receive by acting upon our already radical spiritual tradition.<BR/><BR/>cathAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36295725.post-51777036355790415832008-03-28T16:21:00.000-04:002008-03-28T16:21:00.000-04:00Several years ago a Meeting member brought me a co...Several years ago a Meeting member brought me a copy of a book/comic book her eight-year-old son had been given. In this edition, Captain Underpants was called upon to battle the evil environmental tyrant, the Earth Quaker. Who was dressed, as you might imagine, like the Quaker Oats guy, and who shook the ground, collapsing streets and bringing down buildings, with every step. So we're not absent from comic books entirely.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36295725.post-73210516651811275382008-03-28T10:56:00.000-04:002008-03-28T10:56:00.000-04:00Interesting to know about the Methodists in D.C. :...Interesting to know about the Methodists in D.C. :)<BR/><BR/>cathAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36295725.post-363814511858508832008-03-28T09:24:00.000-04:002008-03-28T09:24:00.000-04:00Yes, Cath, well, of course, you're right on a numb...Yes, Cath, well, of course, you're right on a number of counts. I was thinking mostly of pastoral type Quakers and even that group I painted with a rather broad brush (one might even say in old comic book style -- no shading there!).<BR/><BR/>And I am proud (well at least as proud as a Midwesterner is allowed to be) of being from here. But that apologetic tone is, I think, natural to native Midwesterners. It comes from the voices of our ancestors saying "Now don't be gettin' a big head about yourself."<BR/><BR/>And, while FCNL was the first religous lobby, it's not the only. The Methodists and others have their presence on Capitol Hill now -- following our lead.<BR/><BR/>Up, up and away -- to go plant some trees on this rainy day!Brent Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01351957537347562545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36295725.post-2313956701239365792008-03-27T23:28:00.000-04:002008-03-27T23:28:00.000-04:00You said: "Well, as anyone who knows Quakers (at ...You said: "Well, as anyone who knows Quakers (at least Midwest Quakers) will tell you, there’s a big difference between “Quaker” and/or “Radical Pacifist” "<BR/><BR/>I think that portrait is perhaps painted with a pretty broad brush. For one thing, you haven't defined a Radical Pacifist and I suspect that there are more than you know here in the Midwest.<BR/><BR/>That aside, what I admire about f/Friends I know is that they are comfortable being radical pacifists who aren't in it for the publicity--they just quietly go about their business of seeking to take away the causes of war and engaging in conflict resolution, and generally trying to live up to the Peace Testimony--which doesn't need a war to exist, but it does need people who are willing to live it day in and day out without become known as superheroes. <BR/><BR/>To perservere this way is "radical" in my mind.<BR/><BR/>And, come to think of it--is there another faith tradition with its own lobbyists? That's pretty radical. :)<BR/><BR/>p.s. I've noticed that you seem to apologize for the Midwest in some of your posts. I don't think the Midwest needs that. Every region has unique qualities. We're doing fine with ours, IMO. <BR/><BR/>cath (east coast gal who's grown to appreciate the midwest) :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com