Historically, even modest challenges to hierarchy have often been treated as dangerous ideas.
My latest post explores the overlap between anarchism and Quakerism beyond the stereotypes: consensus, participation, conscience, mutual aid, and distrust of concentrated power.
New post: https://www.martinkubler.com/hierarchy-conscience-participation/
#Anarchism #Quakers #Consensus #Grassroots #SocialJustice #PoliticalThought #MutualAid #FriendsOnTheFediverse
@martinkubler The original idea behind #Quakerism is a hierarchy: God himself leads the community, without intermediaries.
However, this is a difficult concept when, for example, many members in Europe are atheists, nonthists, pathists, or agnostics. It's hard to say who would then be accepted as an authority.
If one rejects divine leadership, are Quakers essentially just a humanist association?
@olaf_radicke @martinkubler this is one of those questions where if you ask 10 Quakers you'll get 11 different answers, but I will say I have met very few Quakers who share the patriarchal conservative Christian conception of God (the Divine, the Light, the force of good in the Universe or whatever term they may use for it) as a personified hierarchical leader above us giving out instructions that we must follow. The more common conception is that it is benevolent guidance within us that we all have access to, whatever form that may take.
@afewbugs @martinkubler To avoid any misunderstandings: I don't believe that Quakers who invoke God to guide their decisions make better decisions!
However, if a decision must be made that goes against the happiness of an individual, then perhaps a shared conviction that transcends the here and now is needed to bear the consequences. I'm thinking, for example, of a slave owner whose wealth is based on the labor of others. Or the man who refuses to cooperate with a gang and is killed.
Martin Kubler 🎲 Ⓐ 🏴 Ⓥ
Olaf
Jules she/her