Is
the Quaker Sweat Lodge "Racist"??
The Quaker Sweat Lodge: FAQ --
page 3Q. So does this mean no one is allowed to question or examine such accusations of racism?
A. Evidently no one who is white is permitted to. As the current Clerk of LRCP put it on April 27, 2004: it was "beside the point at best, and downright counter-productive at worst, for us white folks to challenge the credentials of a minority-group member accusing us of racism. Doing so is likely to be perceived as yet another clever attempt at subjugation, and we are then likely to be subjected to further attacks which distract from the resolution of the main issue—cultural appropriation in this case… ."
Q. So does this mean that someone from outside FGC can claim that an activity at the Gathering is "racist" or is otherwise "strongly offended" by it and get it cancelled, without ever having direct contact with it, or with FGC, or with the people involved, simply by making the accusation?
A. It appears so.
Q. What kind of Quaker process is that?
A. Good question.
Q: I've heard that some Native Americans are supportive of the QSL. Were these views sought out and weighed?
A. No.
Q. Why is
the opinion of one Native American who opposes the QSL more valuable than the
opinion of other Native Americans who support the QSL?
A: Another good question, unanswered by FGC decision-makers, except, as cited above, to say that white Friends are not
permitted to ask such a question.
Q. But doesn't cultural mixing and borrowing go on all the time? Aren’t there forms of cultural mixing or borrowing that are okay?
A. This is in dispute. Established religions have borrowed from each other for millennia. But complaints about such mixing are also very old. For instance, many early critics of Quakerism denounced it as a fraudulent distortion and perversion of "authentic" Christian religion. Some critics still call it that. Obviously, early Friends then, and active Friends today, do not agree.
Q. Many, if not most Friends have learned from other spiritual traditions than those they were raised in. Our tradition encourages this. Does this make them (or us) all racist?
A. This is an excellent question. The QSL actions by FGC Committees do not leave us any clear guidance for determining what is "racist" and what is not.
Q. What should FGC do about the QSL now?
A. In my opinion, banning the QSL was a serious mistake. The QSL is an authentic and respectful spiritual experience, consistent with Quaker seeking and finding. Banning it has hurt FGC. Banning it has also badly served the organizers and the hundreds of younger Friends who found the QSL a meaningful spiritual experience. I urge the FGC committees to repair the damage and find a place for the QSL at the Gathering.
Q. But what about the charges of "racism"?
A. Racism is a real evil, and Friends are not free of it. But simply calling
something "racist" does not make it so. Any such accusations deserve very
careful and thorough examination, done with fairness to all parties involved,
and care for the reputation of those who are accused.
After extensive study of the issues involved and the charges made, over several
months, I am persuaded that this accusation against the
Quaker Sweat Lodge is without merit, and the QSL was wrongly excluded
form the Gathering.
Q. What is this conclusion based on?
A. Several considerations:
First, I believe the QSL has been influenced by other sweat
traditions, but has become an authentic Quaker spiritual experience of its own.
Such authenticity commands my respect.
Second, I find the QSL organizers very respectful and tender
in their treatment of the traditions that have influenced them -- especially the
Native traditions. No evidence otherwise was ever produced.
Third, the QSL organizers have emphatically NOT engaged in
the exploitation of native cultures that some other sweat experiences have. For
example, they do not use native artifacts. For another, they have never
performed a sweat for profit.
Fourth, critics of the QSL have produced no
evidence, none, of any concrete harm or damage to any Native group.
Fifth, the "process" by which the QSL was excluded from
the Gathering was a travesty of Quakerism from beginning to end, of which I, as
a member of one of the responsible committees, am deeply ashamed.
There are three final consideration, which are better
expressed in the following queries:
Q. Is it really racist to insist that charges of racism be clearly defined
and backed with actual evidence?
A. No.
Q. Is it really racist to insist on fair treatment of Friends, even white Friends, who are accused of racism?
A. No.
Q. Is it really racist to uphold the integrity of spiritual experience, especially one shared by many Friends acting respectfully, openly, under oversight, and in the Light?
A. No.
Q. Finally, could unsubstantiated charges of racism put FGC at risk of legal challenges?
A. In the community of Friends, being branded a "racist" is a very serious matter, which would gravely imperil one's reputation, and one's peace of mind. Many defamation lawsuits are filed involving churches each year. Most are unsuccessful, especially if they involve "church doctrine." But some succeed, and defending them can be very costly.
Q. But is automatic conviction of racism on accusation now a matter of "church doctrine" in FGC?
A. I hope not . . . .
Q. If others agree that the QSL deserves a respectful place in the Gathering, what should they do?
A. Speak up. Let FGC know. FGC's email address is: quaker@fgcquaker.org . For snailmail: FGC, 1216 Arch St. 2B, Philadelphia PA 19107
And let us know at:
cf@kimopress.com
Appendix1: "Cultural Appropriation" >>
Appendix 2: Wampanoag Letter >>
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