Message from the Pastoral Care and Eldership Team (PaCET) for Sunday Meeting 19th January 2025

Dear Friends,

The Meaning of God in Modern Society: A Personal Reflection

Be patterns, be examples in all countries, places, islands, nations, wherever you come, that your carriage and life may preach amongst all sorts of people and to them. Then you will come to walk cheerfully over the world answering that of God in every one. 

George Fox 1656

Recently, after a yoga session, I found myself in a thought-provoking conversation with my teacher. We discussed the concept of “God,” especially in the context of the world today. He shared how his teenage sons, like many other young people, have become introverts and adopted certain extreme views, influenced by social media figures like Andrew Tate, whose platform promotes distorted interpretations of Christianity to justify misogyny and subjugation of women. This phenomenon has a following of millions, mostly disenfranchised young men. It made me reflect on how “God” has been used throughout history as both a source of inspiration and a tool for oppression and conflict.

The word “God” has held so many different meanings over the centuries—sometimes a force for peace, other times a justification for violence. So, what does God mean in modern society, particularly in the face of urgent issues like climate change? As a Quaker, I am asked to consider how my beliefs and actions reflect my understanding of God, and how I can live out those values in a world that is rapidly changing.

A friend recently delivered a ministry during our Sunday meeting, discussing the use of the word “God” and asking us to consider who believes in God, and what God means to each of us. A recent survey of Quakers revealed that many of us don’t identify with the traditional Christian God of the Bible, but instead interpret “God” in diverse ways. This resonated with me because I, too, have struggled with the word “God” and what it truly represents.

My yoga teacher and I, both deeply spiritual individuals, share a commitment to kindness, peace, and love. But we also see how the word “God” is manipulated by certain social forces to promote division and harm. Over the years, religion has been tied to countless wars, injustices, and crises, leading some to believe that if God exists, He must be a cruel and vengeful figure. For me, though, I experience God as a moral compass—an inner sense of connection with all beings and the world around me.

Becoming a Quaker by convincement has been transformative for me. It has strengthened my moral foundation and shaped the way I live. When I lose my temper or tell a “little white lie,” I feel a sense of dissonance, because these actions are not in alignment with my Quaker values. My faith reminds me to live with integrity, kindness, and mindfulness. In our Quaker meeting, I feel enveloped in a space of love, acceptance, and open questioning—a place where I can be fully myself, without judgment. While this may not always be entirely true, it is how I experience the environment, and it deeply nurtures my spiritual journey.

Though I am still early in my Quaker journey, I’ve been living according to its principles for much of my life. My commitment to green architecture, which has been the core of my work for nearly 40 years, reflects my own understanding of God and the values I hold dear. I believe Quakers are uniquely positioned to lead in the fight for climate justice. We advocate for peace, but peace also means actively fighting the existential threat of climate change. Our world is literally burning, as recent fires in Los Angeles have tragically demonstrated.

For generations, Quakers have held a sacred commitment to the “unity of creation.” Head office has professed ‘To live this out, we must take action to protect the environment and promote sustainable prosperity. Quaker activism for climate and economic justice is happening at the local level, in our workplaces, through political advocacy, and direct action’

Our own meeting has embraced this call to action. We are committed to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, retrofitting our building, conserving our historic space, and striving for net-zero carbon emissions. This includes installing a complex zoned heating system to reduce energy consumption whilst promoting comfort, which, whist still experiencing teething problems, represents an important step in the right direction.

It is in these actions that I see the incredible strength and relevance of Quakerism today. In a world that desperately needs change, Quakers are at the forefront, always pushing for a more just, sustainable future. More than ever, we must continue to lead by example in the call for change.

Joanna Saady

on behalf of the Pastoral Care and Eldership Team (Patricia Cockrell, David Hitchin, Tim Pitt-Payne, Caroline Pybus and Theresa Samms )