Reading Friends delve into Quaker history
'Two sessions in May considered the controversial figure of James Nayler, who in 1656 was convicted of blasphemy.'
A Quaker history group, which formed this year, discussed the life of the US Quaker ecumenist Douglas Van Steere this month, describing him as a ‘driving force’ behind modern Quakerism.
The session on July 4 was the latest in a series of blended in-person and oline monthly gatherings in the Mid-Thames area.
Sarah Griffin, from the Reading Quaker History Group, told the Friend that the group formed in early 2022 and so far has covered: Isaac Penington, Elias Hickes, John Woolman, James Nayler and Douglas Steere.
‘We meet monthly on a Monday evening. Following a presentation someone volunteers to do a presentation the following month. We emphasise the importance of inclusion so aim to be as interesting as possible, and no background knowledge is required.’
Two sessions in May considered the controversial figure of James Nayler, who in 1656 was convicted of blasphemy.
He was sentenced to be put in the pillory, have a red-hot iron bored through his tongue, branded with the letter ‘B’ for Blasphemer on his forehead, and imprisoned for an indefinite time. ‘But was he guilty?’ the Friends discussed.
Sarah Griffin said: ‘We are looking forward to “Quakers and the Railways” in September… We [also] have members committed to research and [giving] presentations on Samuel Tuke and John Perrot.’
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