SOUTH MOUNTAIN FRIENDS MEETING
THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS)
January 1, 2024
Dear Friends of Faith,
This year our Quaker Meeting has thought in a sustained way about the set of beliefs that are now referred to as Christian Nationalism. As we have come to understand it, Christian
Nationalism seeks to merge our nation’s identity with a particular religious identity and entangle Americans’ citizenship with their faith.
The increasing public prominence of Christian Nationalism has challenged us as Quakers to examine the understandings that shape our own civic and religious beliefs and practices, particularly our thinking about the proper relationship between church and state. We are deeply interested to learn whether other faith communities in the Rogue Valley have also experienced Christian Nationalism as highly pertinent to their self-understandings and what conclusions they may have reached.
So that we may learn from each other, South Mountain Friends Meeting invites you to share with us where you’re thinking about Christian Nationalism now stands. Please contact us by letter at the address on this letterhead, or by email (communications@ashlandquakers.org}.
Also, we think our best learning would take place if we are personally present and can speak and listen to each other and together seek shared understandings. So, please let us know if you are interested in participating in an interfaith dialogue about Christian Nationalism. If you are, we are willing to collaborate with you and others in planning it.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes,
Valeria Breiten
Clerk of the Meeting
543 S. MOUNTAIN AVE ● ASHLAND OR 97520 ● 541-482-0814