As I acknowledge every now and again here, I am a Quaker, although I also admit that I am not a regular attender right now. For me, the need to attend is something that has always come and gone over time. It does not change my broadly sympathetic convictions for much of what Quakers stand for.<\/p>\n
One of the suggestions within Quaker thinking is that when you hear something you really disagree with you should 'think it possible that you may be mistaken'.<\/p>\n
I have reminded myself of this because I heard comments last week that I very much disagreed with, and said so. Sometimes, though, the need to consider why such things happen is necessary. In particular, I realise that just because I have held views on the issue in question for some time, it is still necessary that I 'think it possible that I may be mistaken'.<\/p>\n
I am taking time to do that this weekend. Reflection is sometimes a necessary course of action, and reading, a good walk, and quiet consideration of alternatives is necessary. The mind has to be opened, in other words.<\/p>\n
My hope is that I might reconsider an issue, seeking new insights. I may find I was wrong. It is also possible I will not. But the process of asking the question seems appropriate in its own right.<\/p>\n
I add this at the suggestion of Geoff Cox:<\/p>\n