A testimony to truth Photo: darkpatator/flickr CC:BY
Testimony to Truth
Truth and integrity sound grand concepts. How do they work on the ground? Linda Pegler attempts an answer
When as Quakers we say that we have a testimony to truth and integrity, what does this actually mean for us? It sounds grand and rather remote, but most of us probably do grapple with issues of truth and integrity repeatedly in our daily lives, even if we don’t think of them in that light. We may decide to say something that we feel is right, even if it is embarrassing or may be misunderstood; we may keep personal information about people confidential when we’re bursting to divulge it; some people may even feel compelled to whistle blow in the wider public interest if information is being kept secret to bolster someone’s power or cover up for their mistakes. Pursuing truth and integrity is rarely easy, and we need all our spiritual resources to discern what we need to do in particular circumstances.
