I joined Friends in 1968 after concluding that the usual churches were not following the message of Jesus of Nazareth, while the Quakers were at least making some sort of attempt. From time to time I was active, idle, inspired, disillusioned, regular, irregular.... (As most Friends are, I observe.) However, more and more I became convinced that Christianity, as represented by the conventional churches and the creeds is objectively wrong. Early Friends were very clear about this. I was more and more embarrassed by being associated with war-mongering and lying Christian politicians. (You know who they are.) I happened to meet a number of people who had clearly been psychologically damaged by their association with various churches. During my time on Meeting for Sufferings in the early 90s I was concerned about the way that relations with the churches were handled and when Yearly Meeting decided to continue in 'Churches Together in Britain and Ireland' I
resigned my membership, while continuing to attend meeting when I could.
I now call myself a 'New Muggletonian'. The Muggletonians were among the strongest critics of Quakers in the middle of the 17th century. (Remarkably they lasted into the 20th century.) I took the name (but only, I hope, the name!) on the model of 'New Labour', that is to say the policies of the 'New' organisation would be directly opposed to those of the 'Old' body, in fact close to those of the 'Old' group's opponents. (That's to say you could hardly distinguish a New Muggletonian from a Quaker.) Lodowicke Muggleton had the most bizarre ideas, it must be admitted. Apart from that the phrase 'New Muggletonian ' messes-up many official documents, as it won't fit in the box provided, which appeals to the anachist side of my personality.
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