Category Archives: Quaker History

Amish & The Vote: Their buggies are cute; their clothes & dialect are quaint; their food is good (& fattening). Their politics? Well . . .

New York Times – Opinion: Guest Essay Doug Mastriano and the Potential of Amish Voters in Pennsylvania By Bonnie Kristian — Nov. 4, 2022 Ms. Kristian is a journalist and a fellow at Defense Priorities, a foreign policy think tank. Former President Donald Trump lost Pennsylvania in 2020 by just around 80,000 votes out of … Continue reading Amish & The Vote: Their buggies are cute; their clothes & dialect are quaint; their food is good (& fattening). Their politics? Well . . . →

Why No Plural “You” in English? Blame It On Quakers?? John McWhorter Says No, Y’all . . .

NOTE: Besides being a columnist for the New York Times, John McWhorter is also a professor of linguistics, and a survivor of some years in a Friends school. He also publishes an online “newsletter,” in which these observations appeared for thy edification. Why doesn’t English have a plural ‘you’? By John McWhorter Fish don’t know … Continue reading Why No Plural “You” in English? Blame It On Quakers?? John McWhorter Says No, Y’all . . . →

FGC: Can This Quaker Gathering Be Saved?

In case any liberal U. S. Friends haven’t yet noticed, FGC (aka Friends General Conference) is flailing. Its crowning event, the annual Gathering, is on life support; the prognosis is grave. As at Balmoral Castle a week or so ago, key “family” members are gathered: some keeping vigil at the bedside, as others huddle over … Continue reading FGC: Can This Quaker Gathering Be Saved? →

Russell Moore on Current U. S. Church splits, and their wider implications

An Excerpt From, “What Church Splits Can Teach Us About a Dividing America,” Russell Moore, in Christianity Today: “I asked a pastor of a large Methodist congregation what took the churches in the denomination so long to figure out that they must go in different directions. He responded, “You are looking at this wrong, and … Continue reading Russell Moore on Current U. S. Church splits, and their wider implications →

Memo to Florida Gov. DeSantis: DON’T You DARE Read This!

NOTE: “Don’t Say ‘Gay’”? Smacking around Disney’s Mouse?? Bullying teachers??? Squashing Drag Storytime?? Hectoring trans folk??? Guv, you must have a secret stash of the more colorful works of William Prynne (1600-1669). Back in The Day, old Willie P. Knew how to put the Pew and the Pure back into Puritanism. Let’s hear a bit … Continue reading Memo to Florida Gov. DeSantis: DON’T You DARE Read This! →