Editorial
pReading the articles in this issue of the Australian Friend reminded me of my favourite Backhouse Lecture; George Ellis’ “Faith, hope and doubt in times of uncertainty”. Ellis writes that “there is a moral reality as well as a physical and a mathematical reality underlying the world and the universe. There is a standard of morality which exists (in ‘reality’, just waiting to be discovered) which is valid in all times and places, and human moral life is a search to understand and implement that true nature of morality”. He suggests that “the nature of that moral reality is centred in love, with kenosis (self-emptying – a letting go of the self and selfish interest) playing a key role in the human, moral and spiritual spheres because of its transformational qualities.
Reg Naulty writes of Solszenitsyn’s position that we need moral objectivity not moral pragmatism, and need “to choose what is noble and honourable”.
Many Friends are seeking ways of acting with love in the world. I am awed by the commitment of members of the America Friends Service Committee and the teachers and students of Ramallah and Brumanna Friends Schools in Palestine and Lebanon with their “commitment to living a loving life” amid war and chaos.
Greg Rolles, engaged in action to prevent global warming, reminds us “we do not know what our small and collective role will be, and only that it is important that we follow our leadings”. Frances Long travelled to Western Australia to protest against increasing militarisation associated with the AUKUS alliance.
Other Friends remind us of the need to be spiritually grounded and refreshed. Charles Stevenson writes that “in meeting we feel refreshed by a sense of mystery beyond our finite minds, to clutch an idea of a larger life beyond that of the petty blinkered self”. Kaye Wright recalls “experiences of grace” during a course at Silver Wattle .
Rosemary Longhurst, in her critique of this year’s Backhouse Lecture dealing with how we view disability, quotes Jackie Scully asking “How can we live generously with embodied difference so that disabled and non-disabled people can flourish in our various communities”.
And finally, some Friends looked back into our past. Michael Corbett quotes from the early Quaker James Parnell: Stand in denial of self, and know the light which leads into singleness with God and out of all selfish ends.
A challenging issue indeed!
Rae Litting
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