RT Article
T1 Grasping the Nettle: Conflict and the Quaker Condition
JF Quaker studies
VO 15
IS 1
SP 67
OP 83
A1 Robson, Susan
LA English
YR 2010
UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1931479682
AB Conflict among Quakers is unexpected: the espoused image of the Quaker community is peaceful and tranquil. In the community narrative, commitment to ‘mend the world’ is undoubted but conflict within the community is handled with aversion, not articulated, and harmony is privileged above justice. The ‘theory in use’ is ‘don’t ask, don’t tell, don’t even think about it’. Quaker identity is cherished and challenges to it provide the rationale for intractable conflict sagas. The hesitation of the ‘absolute perhaps’ is visible in unwillingness to appear authoritative about tackling conflict. A different account is reported from Ireland Yearly Meeting where Friends appear to be able to grasp the nettle of conflict and remain friends.
K1 Quaker conflict
K1 community narrative
K1 Sociality
K1 theories of action
DO 10.3828/quaker.15.1.67