While preparation for Nontheist Center activities at the online Gathering was a bit challenging, as were some technical glitches during the week, overall it was fairly successful. We ranged from 5 – 17 participants in each of the afternoon sessions, and the content was well received, at least from the responses we were given.
We, the undersigned members of the Nontheist Friends (Quaker) Contemplative Sharing Group, stand united in our commitment to the principles of equality, integrity, and the worth of every person. Guided by these fundamental values which stand in accord with the United States Constitution, we strongly oppose the unconstitutional actions taken by President Donald J. Trump … Read more
by Mattias Karlsson Nontheism is a term that covers a range of both religious and nonreligious attitudes characterized by the absence of — or the rejection of — theism or any belief in a personal god or gods. It is in use in the fields of philosophy and general liberal theology. “Nontheism” should not be … Read more
The 2024 FGC Gathering, “Rooted in Story”, will be held at Haverford College in Haverford, PA, from June 30 – July 6, 2024. Workshop: Nontheism Among Friends Workshop Number: P-17Leaders: Robin Alpern and Mary PagureliasWorship/Worship-Sharing: 15%Lecture: 10%Discussion: 20%Experiential Activities: 55% The goal of this workshop is to provide a safe, loving, and inspiring space for … Read more
Listening, speaking, reading, and writing from the heart are ways Friends interact in diverse families, meetings, and organizations. This can take place during worship and in conversations. It is a way to be individuals and a community at the same time. In this practice we each speak in our own characteristic way, and as we … Read more
This is an article, for theists and nontheists alike, in the December 2021 issue of Friends Journal (pages 16-17 & 49). You may read it by going to the journal’s home page, www.friendsjournal.org. A collection of excerpts on this approach to language among Friends is posted here at nontheistfriends.org. It is titled Listening and Speaking … Read more
Godless for God’s Sake: Nontheism in Contemporary Quakerism Order from Amazon.co.uk (in the UK) Order from Amazon.com (in the US) In this book edited by British Friend and author David Boulton, 27 Quakers from 4 countries and 13 yearly meetings tell how they combine active and committed membership in the Religious Society of Friends with … Read more
This abridged version of “Roots and Flowers of Quaker Nontheism” was compiled for the convenience of students of Quaker nontheism. An ellipses ( . . . ) or brackets ([ ]) indicate where material has been omitted. The original is a chapter in Quaker and Naturalist Too (Morning Walk Press of Iowa City, IA, in … Read more
This first appeared in Quaker and Naturalist Too (Iowa City, IA: Morning Walk Press, 2014, pp. 135-145). The list is divided between earlier publications (1962-1995), and later publications (1996-2013). Unfortunately some publications have been missed and the list is not being kept up to date. Please send copies of material to be included, or their … Read more
As a convinced Friend, I am very familiar with the phrase “meeting that of God” and the idea that there is that of God in everyone. I’ve been more familiar than comfortable with the concept at times. I’ve often added “or intrinsic good and ultimate worth.” To me it has always meant that every human … Read more