Protestants, Quakers, and the Narrative of Religious Persecution in England
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Islamophobia and Religious Intolerance: Threats to Global Peace and Harmonious Co-Existence
Qudus International Journal of Islamic Studies (QIJIS) Volume 8, Number 2, 2020 DOI : 10.21043/qijis.v8i2.6811 ISLAMOPHOBIA AND RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE: THREATS TO GLOBAL PEACE AND HARMONIOUS CO-EXISTENCE Kazeem Oluwaseun DAUDA National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Jabi-Abuja, Nigeria Consultant, FARKAZ Technologies & Education Consulting Int’l, Ijebu-Ode [email protected] Abstract Recent events show that there are heightened fear, hostilities, prejudices and discriminations associated with religion in virtually every part of the world. It becomes almost impossible to watch news daily without scenes of religious intolerance and violence with dire consequences for societal peace. This paper examines the trends, causes and implications of Islamophobia and religious intolerance for global peace and harmonious co-existence. It relies on content analysis of secondary sources of data. It notes that fear and hatred associated with Islām and persecution of Muslims is the fallout of religious intolerance as reflected in most melee and growingverbal attacks, trends anti-Muslim of far-right hatred,or right-wing racism, extremists xenophobia,. It revealsanti-Sharī’ah that Islamophobia policies, high-profile and religious terrorist intolerance attacks, have and loss of lives, wanton destruction of property, violation led to proliferation of attacks on Muslims, incessant of Muslims’ fundamental rights and freedom, rising fear of insecurity, and distrust between Muslims and QIJIS, Vol. 8, No. 2, 2020 257 Kazeem Oluwaseun DAUDA The paper concludes that escalating Islamophobic attacks and religious intolerance globally hadnon-Muslims. constituted a serious threat to world peace and harmonious co-existence. Relevant resolutions in curbing rising trends of Islamophobia and religious intolerance are suggested. -
The Rise of Buddhist-Muslim Conflict in Asia and Possibilities for Transformation by Iselin Frydenlund
Policy Brief December 2015 The rise of Buddhist-Muslim conflict in Asia and possibilities for transformation By Iselin Frydenlund Executive summary Violence against Muslim minorities in Buddhist societies has increased in recent years. The Muslim Rohingyas in Myanmar are disenfranchised, and many of their candidates were rejected by the official Union Election Commission prior to the 2015 elections. Furthermore laws about religious conversion, missionary activities, and interfaith marriage are being pro- moted to control relations between religions and prevent conflict. The danger, however, is that increased control will lead to more, not fewer, conflicts. Discrimination against religious minorities may lead to radicalisation. In addition minority-majority relations in a single state may have regional consequences because a minority in one state can be the majority in another, and there is an increasing trend for co-religionists in different countries to support each other. Thus protection of religious minorities is not only a question of freedom of religion and basic human rights; it also affects security and peacebuilding in the whole region. Anti- Muslim violence and political exclusion of Muslim minorities take place in the wake of in- creased Buddhist nationalism. This policy brief identifies local as well as global drivers for Buddhist-Muslim conflict and the rise of Buddhist nationalism. It then shows how Buddhist- Muslim conflict can be addressed, most importantly through the engagement of local religious leaders. Introduction Buddhist countries are generally at risk of persecution. But Attacks on Muslim minorities in Buddhist countries have weak state protection of Muslim communities leaves these escalated in recent years (OHCHR, 2014). -
A/69/261 General Assembly
United Nations A/69/261 General Assembly Distr.: General 5 August 2014 Original: English Sixty-ninth session Item 69 (b) of the provisional agenda* Promotion and protection of human rights: human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms Elimination of all forms of religious intolerance Note by the Secretary-General The Secretary-General has the honour to transmit to the members of the General Assembly the interim report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Heiner Bielefeldt, submitted in accordance with General Assembly resolution 68/170. * A/69/150. 14-58756 (E) 250814 *1458756* A/69/261 Interim report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief Summary In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Heiner Bielefeldt, provides an overview of his mandate activities since the submission of the previous report to the General Assembly (A/68/290), including his reports to the Human Rights Council and on country visits, as well as communications and highlights of presentations and consultations. The Special Rapporteur then focuses on means to eliminate religious intolerance and discrimination in the workplace, a theme which he thinks warrants more systematic attention. The sources of religious intolerance and discrimination in the workplace can be manifold and include prejudices existing among employers, employees or customers, restrictive interpretations of corporate identity or a general fear of religious diversity. After clarifying that the human right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief also relates to manifestations of religious diversity in the workplace, the Special Rapporteur particularly deals with measures of “reasonable accommodation” that may be needed to overcome discrimination. -
Religious Tolerance - Intolerance in India
RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE - INTOLERANCE IN INDIA Dr. Xavier Kochuparampil India is the cradle of four world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism. Two other world religions, namely Christianity and Islam came to this country in the first century of their existence. For centuries Christians were living in India side by side with the vast majority of non-Christians, mainly Hindus. Though known for centuries as a land of religious tolerance and non-violence, in India communal disharmony, religious intolerance, fundamentalism, and all kinds of violence are on the increase. Why this paradigm shift in the attitude of the Indian people? This short article is an attempt to understand some of the new trends in the realm of communal harmony in India. A Democratic Republic The question of religious tolerance or intolerance depends very much on the encounter between the different religions that co-exist in the same land. For centuries Indians have lived in a religiously pluralistic society. Though all the major religions of the world have their followers in India, Hinduism is the most dominant religion of India with about 80 % of the whole population of about 950 million. Yet one has to acknowledge the fact that the Indian nation is not constitutionally Hindu nation like the numerous Islamic or Christian nations of the world. Constitutionally India remains a democratic sovereign republic where all religions are of equal status. Moreover, the so-called minority communities (religions) do enjoy certain constitutionally granted privileges. Attitude of Tolerance The traditional Hindu attitude to Christianity and Islam was one of tolerance. The existence of the small community of Christians in South India from the very first century of Christianity is the best proof for this attitude of tolerance in Hinduism. -
The Experience of Early Friends
The Experience of Early Friends By Andrew Wright 2005 Historical Context The world of the early Friends was in the midst of radical change. The Renaissance in Europe had strengthened the role of science and reason in the Western world. The individual’s power to understand and make sense of reality on their own was challenging the authority of the Catholic Church. Until recently there had been only one church in Western Europe. Martin Luther’s “95 Theses” that critiqued the Catholic Church is generally seen as the beginning of the Reformation when western Christianity splintered into a plethora of various “protestant” churches. In order to fully understand the significance of the Reformation we must realize that political authority and religious authority were very closely aligned at this time in history. Political authority was used to enforce religious orthodoxy as well as to punish those who expressed unconventional views. Meditating on the intensity of feeling that many have today about issues like abortion or gay/ lesbian rights or end of life issues might begin to help us to understand the intensity of feeling that people experienced around religious issues during the Reformation. Many people felt like only the triumph of their religious group could secure their right to religious expression or save them from persecution. The notion of separation of church and state only began to become a possibility much later. The English Reformation and Civil War In England, the reformation developed a little later than in Germany and in a slightly different way. In 1534, King Henry VIII declared the Church of England independent of the Roman Catholic papacy and hierarchy. -
From Plainness to Simplicity: Changing Quaker Ideals for Material Culture J
Chapter 2 From Plainness to Simplicity: Changing Quaker Ideals for Material Culture J. William Frost Quakers or the Religious Society of Friends began in the 1650s as a response to a particular kind of direct or unmediated religious experience they described metaphorically as the discovery of the Inward Christ, Seed, or Light of God. This event over time would shape not only how Friends wor shipped and lived but also their responses to the peoples and culture around them. God had, they asserted, again intervened in history to bring salvation to those willing to surrender to divine guidance. The early history of Quak ers was an attempt by those who shared in this encounter with God to spread the news that this experience was available to everyone. In their enthusiasm for this transforming experience that liberated one from sin and brought sal vation, the first Friends assumed that they had rediscovered true Christianity and that their kind of religious awakening was the only way to God. With the certainty that comes from firsthand knowledge, they judged those who op posed them as denying the power of God within and surrendering to sin. Be fore 1660 their successes in converting a significant minority of other English men and women challenged them to design institutions to facilitate the ap proved kind of direct religious experience while protecting against moral laxity. The earliest writings of Friends were not concerned with outward ap pearance, except insofar as all conduct manifested whether or not the person had hearkened to the Inward Light of Christ. The effect of the Light de pended on the previous life of the person, but in general converts saw the Light as a purging as in a refiner’s fire (the metaphor was biblical) previous sinful attitudes and actions. -
An Introduction to the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
An Introduction to The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) Origins and Background The origins of the Society are found in the seventeenth century in England, a time when many were questioning the established beliefs of the age. George Fox (1625-1691) did not find answers to his questions in any of the churches of his day. Out of his searching came the spiritual message which swept a large part of the country and which resulted in the formation of the Religious Society of Friends. Friends witnessed to an Alternative Christianity quite distinct from the churches of the time. As a result they were persecuted both by Cromwell’s Puritan government and by the restored government of Charles II. Fox did not intend to start a new sect. He wanted to persuade the church to return to what it had been in the days of the Apostles. He proclaimed the early preaching of Peter (Acts 2,3) that Jesus, who had been present in the flesh, had risen from the dead and was now come in the Spirit, that Jesus acted in the hearts of his followers, purifying and empowering them. Pursuing Peter’s teaching, Fox called for a radical, egalitarian, spirit-filled Christianity that would not be oppressive of people on account of race, sex, or class. He maintained that the message of the early church had been lost when 1 the church became institutionalized and believed that he, and others with him, could stand in exactly the same state as Apostles, with the same power to teach, to heal, and to prophesy that the Apostles had. -
Flavors” of Quakers in the U.S
“Flavors” of Quakers in the U.S. Today It is hard to delineate clear cut branches of American Quakerism because different branches define themselves differently, and because there is much variation and overlap. You can sort Quakers in several ways: by our qualities and characteristics, by the major affiliating organizations we associate with, or by historical lineage (which group is an offshoot of which other group). These different ways of categorizing us will produce similar, but not identical groups. Following is a rough sorting. Liberal Friends Generally, liberal Friends practice unprogrammed worship, do not have formal clergy, and emphasize the authority of the Light Within. They value universalism, meaning they include members identifying with a variety of theological traditions, such as Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Wicca, and increasingly nontheism. You find them most often in the eastern and western parts of the U.S. and in college towns. There are two major groups of Liberal Friends: ● Those affiliated with Friends General Conference (see www.fgcquaker.org). These meetings often trace their roots back to the Hicksite side of the major division (see historic notes below) but there are other histories mixed in. FGC includes yearly meetings in the U.S. and Canada. ● Independent or Western Friends. Located mostly in the Western part of the United States, these Friends are sometimes called “Beanites,” because they trace their roots, to some degree, to the leadership of Joel and Hannah Bean, who came out of the Orthodox side of the major division, but parted ways. Independent Friends have no affiliating organization, but they do have a magazine, Western Friend (https://westernfriend.org). -
The Changing Face of Faith in Britain: How Should Quakers Respond? Part 2: the Spirituality of New Quakers
The changing face of faith in Britain: How should Quakers respond? Part 2: The spirituality of new Quakers Francesca E. S. Montemaggi Q Logo - Berry - CMYK - Black Text.pdf 1 02.02.2015 01.27 pm C M Britain Yearly Meeting Y CM and Woodbrooke MY CY working in partnership CMY K Contents Preface 3 Summary of findings 4 Methodology 5 The spirituality of new Quakers 1. Discovering Quakerism 6 2. The religion andnon-religion of Quakers 7 3. Theological openness 9 4. Finding home 13 5. Members, attenders, and community 16 6. The prominence of silent worship 19 7. An ethical way of life 22 8. Quakers andChristianity 26 Conclusions 31 Bibliography 32 Appendix 1: Survey results 34 Appendix 2: British Quaker Survey 2013 results for those involvedfor less than three years 50 Part 2: The spirituality of new Quakers Preface The Quaker Committee for Christian & Interfaith Relations (QCCIR) is given the task of keeping Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) informed of the various movements towards cooperation within the Christian church and opportunities for interfaith dialogue, and responds on their behalf to other Churches and faith communities (Quaker faith & practice 9.13). In the rapidly changing world in which we live, the religious landscape in which we operate is also continuously on the move. Becoming aware of this, QCCIR began to ask questions, such as: • How do Quakers fit into this changing religious landscape in Britain? • What are the implications for British Quakers? • What does it mean for the work of QCCIR now and in the future? Do we need to consider changing how we work, what we do or who we work with? These are big, open questions and QCCIR agreed to commission a piece of work that would help us along our way. -
Quakers Simplicity
History of the simplicity time strict adherence to plainness was abandoned. testimony in Britain In 1911 and 1919 London Yearly Meeting discussed the simplicity testimony with greater confidence, but not until 1959 did a book of In the past simplicity was associated with a discipline include Margaret Fox’s plea that, rather puritanical or priggish show of ‘plainness’, so than adopting a mere costume of simplicity, ‘it is Friends today are cautious about our simplicity more fit for us to be clothed with God’s Eternal testimony and what it may mean to embrace it. Spirit and clothed with his Eternal Light’. Quakers and Early Friends were persecuted and imprisoned, The testimony of outward simplicity began as a protest and many died for their conviction that against the extravagance and snobbery which marked English society in the 1600s. In whatever forms this all people can be guided directly by God, protest is maintained today, it must still be seen as a by ‘the Christ within’, by their inner light. testimony against involvement with things which tend simplicity Living in the spirit was, for them, expressed to dilute our energies and scatter our thoughts, reducing in the simplicity of their faith and practice. us to lives of triviality and mediocrity. In less than 40 years 60,000 people became ‘Faith and practice’, North Carolina Yearly Quakers; they risked everything for that direct Meeting (Conservative), 1983 communion with God. When they celebrated *An old name for compilations which Quakers publish at intervals for mutual guidance. In Australia Yearly the light within themselves, and opened Meeting we have a book about Quaker faith and prac- themselves to the light of others, they saw the tice entitled this we can say (2003) and a Handbook of need to live simply and truthfully as equals. -
Christian Belief in the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers): a Response to the Claim That British Friends Are Post-Christian
CHRISTIAN BELIEF IN THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS): A RESPONSE TO THE CLAIM THAT BRITISH FRIENDS ARE POST-CHRISTIAN By Katharine A. Mellor A dissertation submitted to The University of Birmingham For the degree of Master of Philosophy The Graduate Institute for Theology and Religion School of Historical Studies The University of Birmingham October 2009 University of Birmingham Research Archive e-theses repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and/or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any successor legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Introduction 1 x.1.Introductory Definitions 2 x.1.1. Definition of Members and Attenders 2 x.1.2. Comments on Insider Research 3 Chapter One: Quaker and Christian Identity: Origins of the Current Debate 5 1.1. Background of Quaker Theology 5 1.2. Official Quaker Documents 7 1.3. The Modern Debate 8 Chapter Two: Academic Attempts to Uncover the Nature of Quaker Belief 11 2.1. Surveys of Belief 11 2.2. Dandelion’s and Rutherford’s Questionnaire Design 12 2.3. Dandelion’s and Rutherford’s Aims 12 2.4. Dandelion’s and Rutherford’s Definition of Christian and 13 Question Phrasing 2.4.1. -
Duke University and the Methodist Tradition1
,... ____________________________mm ___ _,, ____ _ ' ' Methodist History, 42:3 (April 2004) I' '· DUKE UNIVERSITY AND THE METHODIST TRADITION1 WILLIAM E. PIKE Ever since William F. Buckley, Jr.'s 1951 work, God and Man at Yale, a debate has raged openly in the United States and beyond regarding the "sec ularization'' of once-Christian institutions of higher learning. Proponents of universities free of church ties have argued that religion hinders the free' exchange of ideas, the growth of scientific research, and the open expression of differing student personalities. Critics of secularization feel thatby shed ding years of Christian tradition, universities go adrift without a moral com pass or a true appreciation for the historical pillars upon which they were founded . ., As with so many of its counterparts, Duke University faces these ques- tions. Undoubtedly once a solidly Christian school .:... and in particular a Methodist school - it now exhibits the characteristics of a modem, secular university. Its solid ties to the church amount to an overtly Christian divini ... ty school, with a decisive United Methodist bent, and a traditional, informal , · tie between the university Board of Trustees and the North Carolina Annual Conferences of United Methodism. This paper explores to some degree the journey the school has taken to this point, and also asks the important ques tion, Is Duke still a United Methodist university? I In its earliest days the institution which would someday become known as Duke was operated mainly by Christians, and more specifically, by Methodists. However, that does not mean it was automatically a Methodist institution. Indeed, for some years during its early history it was not offi..