T is for thinking things through

One of the reasons that I became a Quaker is that I really felt listened to by my Quaker Meeting.  That is a gift that we Quakers have; to really listen and accept other people in times of trouble or indeed to their quite different spiritual journeys.

Our Quaker Meeting House in Bridgwater Somerset has been sold and the buyers are the Muslim Community.

Perhaps we have a duty to listen when UKIP became so popular that it reflected deep seated fears of a divided society by our secular white brothers and sisters.  Perhaps we should listen to the fear of the Muslim community when their sons and daughters are being recruited for ISIS.

Isn't there a role for Quakers here?  Perhaps we can build bridges towards our black citizens and build a communication that will heal these problems. Are we ready to listen to the Muslim religion and welcome them in our Meeting?  I am sure we are, but  the Christian religion is perceived as insular and elitist. Is it a question of each to their own? How do we put our hands out towards the divided? I hope we can open channels of communication.  Then perhaps it will not be a question of Christians Together, but indeed All Religions and Faiths Together.