Part Four!!! Phew! This chick can talk!

Ya. I choked.

I have been wrestling with Whether or not I wanted to finish this conversation. I do really well at the “that was then” part of things but not that great at the “this is now” end. I know, you think, ‘seriously? There are subjects that make YOU uncomfortable talking about?’ Ya, pretty much anything that is currently affecting my life or going through my head or about me. In general. In all honesty, I don’t feel smart enough....I was going to say to be a writer, or to write here or anywhere, but I think all that sentence needs is a period.

I don’t feel smart enough.

Or funny.

Or engaging, endearing, lovable, quirky, oddly fascinating, pretty or pretty much anything really positive. 

I’m telling you, this new blog is gonna blow past the other one in ways you won’t see coming. 

Yes, I could blame all of that on any number of incidents in the past but who cares? It’s here now. I have to fight with my own brain about this stuff now. 

And don’t we all on some level? Do you think you’re pretty enough or intelligent enough or the best at anything? If you do, then good for you, Bro. You take that Superego and run with that. I’m still over here trying to get my ID figured out. (Psych 101. You could all know that in 30 minutes or less. Not a sign of intelligence.) I know it’s psych 101 because not only did I take French for some someone BUT for someone else I took their Psych 101 for two semesters. I’m practically a psychiatrist now. Feel free to let me diagnose you. Send $50 to my PayPal and I’ll tell you what mental illness you have. 

Why did I veer off that far?

Anyway, the actual point of this is to dive right in:

Quakerism:

Quakers, also called Friends, are a historically Christian group whose formal name is the Religious Society of Friends or Friends Church.[2] Members of the various Quaker movements are all generally united by their belief in the ability of each human being to experientially access the light within, or "that of God in every one"

Around 11% of Friends[12] practice waiting worship, or unprogrammed worship (more commonly known today as Meeting for Worship), where the order of service is not planned in advance, is predominantly silent, and may include unprepared vocal ministry from those present.

98% are now evangelical in denomination and I want no part of that sect.

Quakers first introduced many ideas that later became mainstream, such as democracy in the Pennsylvania legislature, the Bill of Rights to the U.S. Constitution from Rhode Island Quakers, trial by jury, equal rights for men and women, and public education. Even the Liberty Bell itself was cast by Quakers.

as John Wilhelm Rowntree and Edward Grubb, supported Darwin's theories, adopting a doctrine of progressive revelation with evolutionary ideas.in the United States Joseph Moore taught the theory of evolution at the Quaker Earlham College as early as 1861[55] and was probably one of the first teachers in the Midwest to do so.[56] Acceptance of the theory of evolution became more widespread in those Yearly Meetings, which moved toward liberal Christianity in the 19th and 20th centuries.

The top tenants of being that 11% kind of Quaker is that they discourage Evangelizing in any way.

Everyone deserves a second chance.

No one person is greater than another. Therefore they do no have a pastor, preacher, priest etc.... they sit in a circle quietly contemplating their thoughts, their ideas and feeling the fellowship of gathering with likeminded people. If one feels compelled to speak, they stand up, say what’s in their mind/on their heart and sit down. No one is required to respond but you may stand and speak to the idea of what was heard. There’s no arguing. Everyone can have their own opinion. 

They vote of everything from the business of the church to how they’ll celebrate the next holiday. Everything is put up to vote. “Leaders” people in the position of being the secretary  or book keeper are voted on every few months because being in a leadership position for too long can be corrupting.

They abstain from war.

They have “rules” but they are to be thought of as merely suggestions and guidelines as you are an intelligent being able to navigate what is right or wrong for yourself.

They support gay marriage. 

They believe in being charitable without telling others. I completely land here. If you do a good deed and brag about it then it was out of selfishness and you don’t get a point for that. 

They acknowledge that most, if not all, Christian holidays are actually ripped off pagan traditions and they celebrate knowing that, Meh, we’re using Pagan Traditions as our own so our own holidays are actually paganism and there’s nothing wrong with that. So what? Admit it. It’s a fact. Don’t lie to yourself and others. Where’s the Christmas tree, Yule log, mistletoe etc etc... bring on the Easter Eggs ( symbol of fertility) also, Spring Solstice... it’s lovely!

It’s kicked back, go at your own pace, be kind to others, don’t force religion down anyone’s throat, let’s get together and share a common goal. Finding peace in ourselves and caring about how other humans feel.

And yada yada yada

I love the concept. I love not having a pastor. I love being accepted unconditionally.

There is a Friend Gathering here in Dallas which is handy.

So, that’s the thing. I’m not sure what I’ll do. I’m excruciatingly shy! But, in growing comes some sense of being uncomfortable. I’m good with that. 

Ok that’s the end of this little ditty about Jack and Dianne.... others it known as: Tracy thinks weird shit!

Night!

Tracy