Many of the world’s best known activists for peace and social justice have also been deeply religious people. Nonetheless, it is easy to think of social action as an afterthought to our spiritual lives, something we do to express our values, rather than as part of our spiritual practice. Lifelong nonviolent activist Dick Taylor has observed that spiritual openings and deep faith experiences in his life have often occurred in the midst of an action. Similarly, he has found in his religious journey as a Quaker the strength, the courage, and the wisdom for discernment that have helped him in occasions of difficult and scary witness. Using his own stories, which span the civil rights movement to the present time, Dick Taylor explores the relationship between spirituality and nonviolent direct action. Discussion questions included. (Pendle Hill website)

Many of the world's best-known activists for peace and social justice have also been deeply religious people. Nonetheless, it is easy to think of social action as an afterthought to our spiritual lives, something we do to express our values, rather than as part of our spiritual practice. Lifelong nonviolent activist Dick, Taylor has observed that spiritual openings and deep faith experiences in his life have often occurred in the midst of an action. Similarly, he has found in his religious journey as a Quaker the strength, the courage, and discernment that have helped him in occasions of difficult and scary witness. Using his own stories, which span the civil rights movement to the present time, Taylor explores the relationship between spirituality and nonviolent direct action. Discussion questions included.

Many of the world's best known activists for peace and social justice have also been deeply religious people. Nonetheless, it is easy to think of social action as ... something we do to express our values, rather than as part of our spiritual practice. Lifelong nonviolent activist Dick Taylor has observed that spiritual openings and deep faith experiences in his life have often occurred in the midst of an action.

Many of the world's best-known activists for peace and social justice have also been deeply religious people. Nonetheless, it is easy to think of social action as an afterthought to our spiritual lives, something we do to express our values, rather than as part of our spiritual practice. Lifelong nonviolent activist Dick, Taylor has observed that spiritual openings and deep faith experiences in his life have often occurred in the midst of an action. Similarly, he has found in his religious journey as a Quaker the strength, the courage, and discernment that have helped him in occasions of difficult and scary witness. Using his own stories, which span the civil rights movement to the present time, Taylor explores the relationship between spirituality and nonviolent direct action. Discussion questions included.

Taylor writes a lovely pamphlet on his experiences of the vivid presence and practical support of God in the midst of nonviolent direct action, often in frightening situations. He describes asking for God's help, and immediately feeling God's powerful presence, peace, warmth, strength, and love. He also writes beautifully of his relationship with Jesus Christ, which developed gradually over time. While he declares that belief in Christ is not necessary for experiencing God in nonviolent action, he himself feels within him the presence of Jesus, the Christ within, during these times. Thus for Taylor, nonviolent direct action has been a spiritual practice for decades. Taylor's experience is an illuminating example of the spiritual source of the testimony of peace. ( )