Going to a quaker high school is hell.

So here's the deal. Silent meeting is twice a week for a half an hour each. Silent meeting is pretty much what it sounds like. 600 people sit in silence and stare at the ceiling. For 30 minutes. But oh, wait, wait, here's the icing on the cake. You can say something if you feel "moved to speak". Result: 2 or 3 people get up and say something like (and this is a real example) "So I was just sitting and thinking and I thought to myself, ya know what? Life is like a river. It flows through you and changes you. And yet not. And it was just reeeally interesting, and I think we should just think about it."

Add pseudo-profound bullshit to having to deal w/ upper-middle class guilt over going to an expensive private school in the first place (considering I don't even think that they should exist) and you get: a hellhole.

On edit: this may be a rant, but every word of it is true.

silence is lame, not golden.

"Is it because the teachers just put you in a circle and they don't talk for 45 minutes then send you to the next class?"

:-)

I love quakers.

There isn't enough silent time in people's lives. Treasure the fact that you get to calm down and sit and do nothing for a half hour a day. After you leave school, you probably won't get them again.

Still, I don't want to discount the fact that you find it a hellhole. I'm not surprised - the silence wouldn't have bthered me in high school, but the pretentious middle-class assholes I went to school with sure did.

I would be very annoyed having to listen to that sort of crap all the time.

it is very wierd. And yet not. THINK about it. And now we should close with yet another moment of silence.

to have silent meditation time to me would be heaven. But since you dislike it, you have my sympathies.

Than spending 30 quiet minutes a day, even if occasionally interrupted by some idiocy.

Sounds like a very small price for a great education.

"So I was just sitting here, and thinking, like, 'This is thirty minutes I'm never getting back, and, like, I'm being trained to sit quietly in gatherings I pretend to take seriously'."

I've no objection to people rubbing blue mud in their navels, but I spent years teaching in a "Christian" private school, and the misery coming off the students was palpable. Not entirely projected, anyway. :-)

and how you feel moved.

good one. Definetly trying that one.

Or do the quakers have nuns and priests too?

I am Quaker and am familiar with the setting. Also, have been educated in public and other private schools myself.

The idea of Quaker meeting is one of true democracy. One that offers you an opportunity to have your ideas/feelings heard within your community. Also, the opportunity to listen to what others have to offer, though you may not have anything to offer at the time. It is also a quiet acceptance of all in the community.

Of course if you don't like this you can always feel free to go, without criticism or judgment.

What is so complicated or hard about that?

Sadly, Quaker schools these days tend to serve those who can afford them. Though I know that they also do offer enormous scholarships to the underprivileged.

Seems to me that you really just want to gripe/criticize!! Well, that is your choice. And, BTW the Quakers will accept you for this too. But, few others is society will. Good luck in life, my friend!!

I have no beef with the Quaker religion. I do have beef with the fact that the whole 'sanctity of silence' thing is imposed upon me and my peers 95% of whom are A. not believers and B. find the whole silent thing to be a waste of time. I certainly have no beef with Quaker political belief. Except total passifism, and thats a whole 'nother tale.

perhaps this would help. It would be against Quaker values to force you to participate if you didn't wish to.

As you know, the basic tenant of Quakerism is tolerance and acceptance. And, you should be most grateful that your school believes in and practices this.

I personally do not like Quaker meeting. I prefer sitting quietly alone. You may as well. And, I'm sure you understand the value of quiet introspection.

I do think, however, that the community aspect of Quakerism is very important. Our society must cultivate this quality. We need to create forums where members of the community are heard. And, we need to practice this.

Perhaps, if you could try to be accepting of what goes on during meeting you would not feel so intolerant of it all. All of life is a learning experience after all. You may even find that if you offer your voice those around you would be most appreciative. And, this is certainly not the worst of circumstances for you!

you like. I used to do this in Worship time at my Christian school when I was in the HS. It saved me from falling asleep or laughing at the nut cases who jumped around and screamed in weird languages.

Make the most of it, my son.