The naked truth on climate change?
Where can we find Quaker prophecy today?
I was interested to read Chris Walker’s challenge to us all (6 November). His central challenge of taking faith-inspired action is one that needs to be heeded. My mind flitted back to some recent reading. Christopher Hill’s study of the English civil war gives considerable coverage to the emergence of the Quaker movement. Among the individual stories and overall narrative, one practice stuck in my mind – the early Quaker practice of going naked for a sign. This act of prophecy is now consigned to the dustbin of history, but I hope the spirit of public prophecy remains.
So where can we find such Quaker prophecy on the issue of climate change? A quick search shows actions such as Friends House signing up to the 10:10 campaign, Central England AM opening the Northfield Ecocentre and countless Meeting houses studying the Responding to Climate Change packs. This sits alongside the often unmarked action of many individual Quakers, including Owen Everett (6 November), who have found the issue spurring them to take action. Certainly, it would seem the roots of real action are there. However, this will only bloom into long-term impact if everyone takes the challenge seriously and considers their actions. As Alastair McIntosh so often reiterates, it is about planting yourself where you are now and building a community that can bring change.
But is the world ready for such challenging Quaker communities? Who knows! Certainly, public knowledge of the Quakers is there. A recent study of the top one hundred charity brands placed the Religious Society of Friends at ninety-four, behind the Salvation Army but ahead of the Church of Scotland. They were one of only four religious bodies to feature in the list and clearly illustrate the unique contribution that Friends continue to make to the wider world. Therefore even if others aren’t inspired, they are at least listening to or noticing what Friends are doing.
What is clear though, from both science and politics, is the time for reflection and discernment is over. The earth is groaning as it struggles to flourish while humanity take such scant disregard for creation. Therefore the question is raised – if Quakers no longer run naked through the streets, what is the most visible thing that you’ll be doing to create a more environmentally sustainable world?
