Right now I'm just waiting to hear back from people...
For those of you who haven't been living in Quakerland: George Fox was an early leader of Quakers, and William Penn was a younger contemporary of Fox's (and also a leader among the Religious Society of Friends). One of the early marks of the Quakers was resistance to military service, as well as treating all people as equals. However, one of the marks of nobility (to which Penn belonged) was wearing a sword. According to the legend, Penn did not want to stop wearing his sword, i.e., relinquish his status. Fox's reply was, "Wear it as long as you can."
Two comments: first, I may have some of the details of the story wrong, so I welcome any comments or clarifications.
Second, the story is almost undoubtedly wrong, for a number of reasons. Paul Buckley has published an article about it, concerning what is known about Penn and his sword.
Steve Angell has given an independent reason, which I can best describe in terms of Zen Buddhism: the Rinzai School believes in sudden enlightenment, whereas the Soto school believes in gradual enlightenment. With regards to sanctification (and here I welcome correction), Fox is more like the Rinzai Buddhist, thinking it happens all at once. The story suggests a "Soto" approach, easier to deal with personally but probably historically inaccurate.
So much for beating the life out of a cartoon...
2 comments:
Fox's position doesn't necessarily exclude a Rinzai-like interpretation. Indeed, it's quite easy to hear Fox telling Penn, "Wear it for as long as you can," as if to add, "Oooh, thou just waitest till God findth out, buddy. And when He doth... Powth! POWTH, bitch!" Or something like that.
Possibly; I can't quite remember how Steve framed the exchange.
Post a Comment