Editor’s note: During this election season, when our political life in the United States seems especially contentious, Friends United Meeting has invited a variety of Friends to share their thoughts on how to navigate as a Quaker through these divided times. Our second installment is by Paul Anderson, of George Fox University.
With the Quaker Peace Testimony, delivered by Margaret Fell to King Charles II in 1660, a new political possibility was introduced to Western political philosophy. In contrast to the prevailing idea of the divine-right of kings, Quakers asserted that governors could be disagreed with without risking a capital offense.
While “theocracy” has been associated with autocratic rule, a democratic system of governance, where the people (the demos) determine their own rule, can also be seen as a distributed form of theocracy: God’s rule.The Quaker point is this: no single person has sole access to God’s will, and no one is devoid of such access. Rather, the Divine Will can be ascertained more faithfully by a plurality of discerning persons—if seeking the truth, goodness, and justice are of prime concern.Aristotle thought that politics—people seeking the betterment of society for the good of all—is the highest form of virtue. However, in these days, politics has become deformed: a quest for influence and power rather than integrity and truth.
Further, journalism has succumbed to partisanship, and media have suffered a bipolar disorder. So, running up to an election, how should Quakers respond to polarized ideolatries (making an ideology a god)?
First, refuse ideolatry. No political platform or agenda is Lord; Christ is.
Second, become bi-bubble. Take in news and media sources differing from your favorites so that you understand where others are coming from; they might not be as evil as your favorite outlets claim.
Third, seek truth above all else; listen to others and why they think the way they do.
And finally, pray. Pray that truth, goodness, and love will prevail and challenge the demonization and angelification of others. Such is rhetorical violence, reflecting the lack of trust in God and the capacity of others to attend, discern, and obey God’s leadings among his people.So, get bi-bubbular! Listen to all sides of issues, not just your favorite outlets: a Quaker witness during divisive times.
Paul Anderson - George Fox University
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