| Contributions
PAUL
INGRAM: via email on 16 July 2002
I have
some comments on Briefing
Paper 4. By the way, I think they are excellent introductions,
and I even think I have a fair general idea of what's going on now!
You ask several questions...
•
“Is the Quaker promotion of equality different to that
of a secular NGO? If we are promoting similar values to other groups,
why should we make such statements as Quakers, rather than simply
as concerned human beings?”
PI:
All political decisions ought to be strongly influenced /strategic
perspective, at the level of an ideology/ideologies and values that
are fundamental-societal etc. (one of the main problems with New
Labour is that they have little consistent vision). Quakerism is
a grouping of people with shared values and shared tradition....
and it is right for Quakers and their representatives to express
common views even if they are not explicitly spiritual. After all,
ultimately all our decisions as Friends eminate from our most fundamental
spiritual beliefs and values. We should not be so tied up by these
obsessions to be unique and different; such instincts that lead
to factionalism and division.
[...]
•
“Perhaps
we should focus more on processes…”
PI:
No, I disagree. As Friends we have some very important things to
say, and it would be a cop-out to focus on processes.
•
“It is not that we necessarily promote different values,
but that the conviction to act has a different source.”
PI:
For the reasons given above, I passionately believe that we should
not be so precious or proud of our difference. The conviction we
have is shared by millions of non-Quakers all over the world...
let us celebrate that, and build on it to achieve significant political
change for the better!
Return
to top of page
Return
to Spiritual Values and Citizenship - Contributions to the project
page
QCEA
gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the European Commission
for this project. This publication reflects the author’s views.
The Commission is not liable for any use that may be made of the
information contained in this publication.
Further
Information on The
Future of Europe
|
