Quakerism and the Social Construction of Reality: Variations on Universe Maintenance
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Authors
Cox, Rachel
Issue Date
2002
Type
Presentation
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
In contemporary America, the established military government system inherently involves violence
and capitalist exploitation of other human beings. In this system, American Quaker lives are in a
practically constant state of conflict; they are caught between the lives they are called to lead and
the way of life presented to them by the majority. An important question that arises as a result of
this contradiction is how, in this social environment, one that fundamentally contradicts and often
condemns Quaker belief and practice, are Quakers able to maintain their faith and religious
dedication? This paper will explore both the internal processes and the external mechanisms within
the Quaker meeting and community that have allowed the maintenance of Quaker belief for over
three hundred years. An application of Berger and Luckman theory on the social construction of
reality to the Quaker experience will reveal the methods of maintenance that sufficiently ease this
contradiction.