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(cross-posted at Christian Liberals/Progressive People of Faith Group)
I'm a Quaker Catholic whose drifting back to the Society of Friends again. But while so much of Friends' practices speak to me, I'm feeling surprisingly less settled in my commitment to the peace testimony.
As an abstract idea and as an ideal, the example of love we have from Jesus its so clear. I've understood his witness and the conviction that we all have a share the inner light of God's love. --These are the basis Friends' commitment to the Peace Testimony.
But when I think about the present economic crisis and imagine a variety of potential scenarios of where it might lead (fascist genocide, military takeover of our country by a foreign power, complete breakdown of social order-- rioting & mayhem) I feel a terror that seems to take over my ideal commitment for peace. I want my children to be safe. I've never believed that a gun would keep us safe, but I'm wondering what would in the circumstances described above.
And so, recognizing that my present moment fears are simply still just fears, I'm left with the more abstract question of where I stand in relation to the peace testimony. Can I really embrace such a high minded perspective when I'm recognizing the limits of my own confidence in that approach?
Are there others who struggle with this question in this way?
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