My Life as a Quaker Political Campaign Manager

Early in our history, Quakers were successful in business because of our integrity. In a field dominated by dishonest and manipulative practices, Quakers’ simplicity and honesty was a breath of fresh air. Could the same approach work today in politics?

Is QuakerSpeak worth $1 a video?

Jon Watts

Jon Watts launched and directed the QuakerSpeak project for its first 6 seasons. Keep up to date with Jon’s work at his website.

4 thoughts on “My Life as a Quaker Political Campaign Manager

  1. The truth is the way to everything that is good. The problem is the the good must be at the top 100 percent pure. WE as ONE. Take out 1 percent and the rot creeps in.

  2. She makes a good point about participating … not enough to vote or donate $, but we also need to show up. Otherwise, one could say that a Friend is talking the talk but not walking the walk.

  3. I was once accosted by a gentleman who had learnt I was a Quaker – and therefore a pacifist. He challenged me in the form of the query “How can you sleep at night knowing others are doing the work of protecting you?”

    That began a long discussion between us, whereby I reiterated many times (and in many ways) that the role and life and witness of a “pacifist” was NOT to “be passive”, but to be constantly active … for justice and actions to stop war or the preparation for war.

    I did not convince this gentleman to become a pacifist himself, however in the end, I did convince him that I slept well. And he gave me a line which I will happily take to the grave with me:
    “I suppose pacifists do add a certain leavening to society.”

    When I think about the difference between leavened and unleavened bread, and what a small addition to the baking mix a leavening agent usually is, I think it is a wonderful analogy. In this I was truly able to walk cheerfully and answer that of God in my disputer.

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