SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

What are the five parts of God’s plan that helps each of us to live peacefully in the world?

1. We are created in the image of God so we can be like Him peaceful, loving and good.
2. Christ lives within us as the Light and gives us knowledge and understanding.
3. We can witness too, and “answer the peace and goodness in all persons.”
4. We live in God’s peaceful Kingdom on earth; we will live in God’s heavenly Kingdom for eternity.
5. We can live a simple life and share with others.

What is the Quaker heritage of witnessing for peace?

Everyone's job is to keep the Peace of the Prince of princes.

Christ leads us into all Truth and never asks any one to make war.
The Quaker Peace testimony tries to build trust between people and nations.
The Peace testimony has found expression as conscientious objection, disarmament, and relief work for victims of war.
The Peace testimony demonstrates Fox’s belief in universality, the brotherhood of all people.

Who does God love the best?

Me, myself, and I. You too. God loves everyone the best.

What is genuine equality?

Genuine equality means that everyone may have spiritual insights and come to know God.
Both men and women have equal access to God, equal responsibilities and obligations in marriage.
Everyone may use the gifts that God has given them.


How do we answer the God within every person?

     Answering means finding the God or the Good within every person.

1. The truth and goodness within one person speaks to the truth and goodness in the other person.
2. We can understand others, have empathy with tothers.
3. We can respond to that which is equal, just and true in ourselves and in every other man and woman. 

What does it mean that Christ lives within us as the Light and gives us knowledge and understanding?

     This is the central belief of the Religious Society of Friends. Christ Jesus is the way who enlightens, i.e., gives knowledge and understanding.

Who is the Light Christ, and what does the Light do for us?

     The Light comes from God the Father and is glorified with Him.

     The Light is not of the world, being immortal and eternal.

     The Light gives knowledge of God.

     The Light lives within everyone, helps us, shows us what is right and wrong.

     The Light reconciles sinners to God and to one another.

     The Light destroys the devil.

     The Light is the healer; He is the Mediator between God and man, reconciles us to God, justifies us to God.

 

How does having the power of an endless life make us free?

 

When will the kingdom of God come?

      God’s kingdom has both come and is coming. It is “come;” present within each person who tries to do what God wants them to do with their lives, and who gives Christ first place in their lives and loyalties.

 

     The Kingdom is present right now so we needn’t be concerned about necessities like food, drink and clothes because they will follow. It has also “come” with Christ reigning over the world.

     “Coming.” is the final stage of humanity. This Kingdom shall never to be destroyed; this Kingdom is not a human kingdom, but spiritual and eternal.

What is the Kingdom of Peace and how do we relate to it?

     We must seek and enjoy the everlasting Kingdom of Peace in which we come to know peace and the end of war. In the Kingdom of Peace all people live in harmony and neighborliness. Friends live in the Peaceable Kingdom of Christ Jesus. (The Peaceable Kingdom is the vision of all people living in harmony and neighborliness, seeking the good and welfare of all.)

Why must everyone suffer?

     Christ suffered; the Godly must also suffer. We show our love for Christ by sharing His sufferings. Saints will see the end of all wars but we must suffer first. Suffering is a gift of God.

How can Friends, under persecution, help themselves?

     Although Fox expects everyone to have total allegiance to Christ the Light and accept suffering, he still gives detailed instructions about confronting persecutors,

• preparing documents,
• going to court, 
• and how to behave there.

     Today we can do the same sorts of things by writing letters, emails, and confronting people with power gently.

 

     Fox also wrote a great many booklets and pamphlets confronting the persecutors and trying to change their minds.  If he were living today, he would write a blog.

     If early Friends had to go to court, they kept a copy of all their sufferings and the names of their
 persecutors. Two or three who saw the events take place should witness these documents. These documents should be either taken to court or sent to the king.

     Evidence should be written down, signed, and witnessed and presented o the judge when he comes.

     Today, this would be an appeal to the president and congress.

What does Fox feel are the principal duties of Peacemakers?

• to know God,
• to seek peace,
• to be righteous,
• to provide for the welfare of others,
• to encourage peace for all.