Obit: Tom Fox and Mary Dyer

Subject: Obit: Tom Fox and Mary Dyer
From: InOBU
Date: 13 Mar 06 - 08:18 AM

I am heartbroken that we live in a world where there still are Quaker martyrs. However, I am comforted that there is power in belief. Mary Dyer was hanged in Boston for the crime of being a Quaker once upon a time. She told the court, truth is my authority, not authority the truth. She had stood on a gallows while two of her closest friends where hanged, than told to leave Massachusetts. She returned because she was called to bring Puritan Christians to understand the evil they did.
She did not go to be hanged, or to avoid being hanged. She went to hold evil laws to the light. Was she foolish to go? Well, that is not for me to judge.
One day, a few months ago, a Friend and friend of mine was in a Quaker meeting and a woman and he got to talking. She pulled a small envelope out of her pocket and showed him a scrap of old cloth in it. She told him in was a piece of Mary Dyer's wedding dress. She was a direct ancestor of the man who hanged her. After doing this terrible thing to a brave young woman, he became a convinced Friend.
I don't believe George Bush, or those who tortured and killed Tom, need to become Quakers to find the meaning in Tom's act of love in going to Iraq to help make peace, but both claim to be driven by their understanding of God. Perhaps Tom's loving courage has planted seeds in both, to find God's intention for peace in their own faith. It is for all of us who love God and love peace to nurture that.
Thine in the light, and heartbroken
lor

Subject: RE: Obit: Tom Fox and Mary Dyer
From: SINSULL
Date: 13 Mar 06 - 08:34 AM

You and he are in my prayers, Lorcan. I wish I could promise you that this will never happen again. It will and I am sorry.
Mary

Subject: RE: Obit: Tom Fox and Mary Dyer
From: GUEST,maryrrf
Date: 13 Mar 06 - 09:17 AM

I was so sorry to hear this. I have worked on projects with Quakers, mostly regarding defense of immigrant rights. They were sincere and brave individuals who truly practiced the principles of their faith. RIP.

Subject: RE: Obit: Tom Fox and Mary Dyer
From: GUEST,Don Meixner
Date: 13 Mar 06 - 11:44 AM

I don't understand the reason people kill each other from the get go. I understand even less why anyone would murder a person who is purely a non combatant on what is viewed as a religious mission. And in asking that last question I have enlightened myself. What more volitile fuel to a relious fire than to have one religion telling the other they are morally wrong.

The world could do with a few more Tom Foxes but in the same breath do we need more martyrs?

Don

Subject: RE: Obit: Tom Fox and Mary Dyer
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 13 Mar 06 - 03:50 PM

The word "martyr" comes from the Greek word meaning "witness", someone who stands up and speaks the truth when it needs to be spoken. So yes, we do need more of them.

Sometimes being a witness for the truth can get you killed, but that's not what it's about, it's just what happens at times. And it's important that there will always be some people who won't let that risk shut them up and close them down.

Subject: RE: Obit: Tom Fox and Mary Dyer
From: Peace
Date: 13 Mar 06 - 04:55 PM

Tom Fox knew the risks he took with the work he did in Iraq and he went anyway. THAT is courage.

Subject: RE: Obit: Tom Fox and Mary Dyer
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Mar 06 - 05:37 PM

Lorcan, let thy heart be warmed and mended, some, by the good thoughts and love of your friends, here, please. Thank you for the incredible telling and for sharing.

katdescendedfromFriends

Subject: RE: Obit: Tom Fox and Mary Dyer
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 13 Mar 06 - 06:12 PM

Peace be with you, my friend.

Greg