Timbre of a TimeFree Mind
Kevin and Darren live in Portland Oregon and are a gay, committed couple. We believe in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all...regardless of sexual orientation, gender, race, nationality, financial status, and being. Erase man-made borders and "they" become "we". New Site: HERE.Tuesday, March 15
Inner Light
Quakers believe that no first hand knowledge of God is possible except through that which is experienced, or inwardly revealed to the individual human being through the working of God's quickening spirit. Broadly speaking, the office of the Inner Light is twofold. First, it discerns between good and evil, revealing the presence of both in human beings and, through its guidance, offers the alternative of choice. Second, it opens to human consciousness the unity of all human beings.
Closely related to this conception of salvation is the Quaker ideal of perfection, affirming that by "minding the Light," waiting for ever fuller revelation of divine direction, the illuminated soul may eventually find it natural to live above the power of ordinary temptation. Such a life is never static, but always in a growing frame of wisdom, "shining more and more unto the perfect day."
While some religious groups have emphasized the Bible as the final and finished charter of a spiritual governance, the Quakers believe in a "continuing revelation." As the Light has shone, in the past, it has stirred the prophets, the saints and the apostles to record their deepest experiences of life and truth. So in the future, as the Light continues to shine, it should lead to further and fuller insights, to the understanding of divine new purposes, and to new powers of fulfillment.
Closely related to this conception of salvation is the Quaker ideal of perfection, affirming that by "minding the Light," waiting for ever fuller revelation of divine direction, the illuminated soul may eventually find it natural to live above the power of ordinary temptation. Such a life is never static, but always in a growing frame of wisdom, "shining more and more unto the perfect day."
While some religious groups have emphasized the Bible as the final and finished charter of a spiritual governance, the Quakers believe in a "continuing revelation." As the Light has shone, in the past, it has stirred the prophets, the saints and the apostles to record their deepest experiences of life and truth. So in the future, as the Light continues to shine, it should lead to further and fuller insights, to the understanding of divine new purposes, and to new powers of fulfillment.
Though the Inner Light of the divine spirit has always been available, the Quakers believe that in Jesus Christ the fullness of God's divine revelation is made manifest - "made flesh and dwells among us, full of grace and truth."
Since a sincere Friend aspires at all times and in all places to be conscious of the presence of God within, ceremonies and sacraments have but minor value.
Baptism means an inward or spiritual experience, not a ritual act. Communion is also of the spirit, and entails no outward act, being but a conscious openness to all divine intimations. The sabbath may differ in observance from other days but is not more holy.
Because Friends believe so ardently in the possibility of "immediate" or direct communication, they have felt no need of elaborate ecclesiastical establishments, organizations or authority. They were and are individualists, as well as group seekers, and in their individual lives they assume the obligation of searching out and following the will of God as it applies to them.
Through their acceptance of direct accountability, they have endeavored to make of religion a way of life. Through their individual concerns they have resisted oppressions and started great movements for the righting of human wrongs.
[Excerpted from a writing of Mary K. Blackmar]
posted by jikido # 8:14 AM 
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