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January 4, 2006
Quaker Overseers Deemed Politically Incorrect
A little moonbattery from the H-Slavery listserver, thoughtfully passed along by Leigh:
Within the past couple of years, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (AKA, the Quakers), in revising its internal structure, abolished the word "overseer" in deference to some members who thought its use within Quakerism smacked of the plantation.
Traditionally, Quaker "overseers" were members — men and women, selected by the entire congregation — who were in charge of decision-making between regularly scheduled meetings of the whole. In earlier centuries, they'd have been the people to investigate reports of disciplinary infractions or to "elder" those who needed reminders of what was considered proper. More recently, they've been the nice "church ladies" that are probably common in every religion.
In any case, the "overseers" are now called the "Committee of Care and Counsel."
Even Quakers are capable of sinning against political correctness. At least they've repented. Shockingly, the word "overseer" can still be found in many dictionaries.
Posted by Van Helsing at January 4, 2006 12:35 PM
Comments
Just like a Leftist; using language as mealy-mouthed as if your cake hole is filled with raw Quaker's Oats.
Posted by: Doug at January 4, 2006 2:40 PM
Just like a Leftist; using language as mealy-mouthed as if your cake hole is filled with raw Quaker's Oats.
Please define these terms for me:
"leftist"
"mealy-mouthed"
"cake-hole"
In short, can you speak in language that all can understand--not just those in your pickup with you?
Posted by: child at January 6, 2006 12:14 AM
Some slight corrections: the people who would "elder" those who needed reminders were elders, not overseers. No one is authorized to make decisions between sessions of the monthly meeting for business (in olden times often called a meeting for discipline). The station of overseer was intended to look over the pastoral care needs of the meeting (congregation) - hence the modern term, "committee of care". And in fact, as many overseers in recent years have been men as women. Finally, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting is only one small part of the world group of people known as Quakers. Their decision is in no way binding on other yearly meetings, even those as close as Baltimore or New York...
--llw
Posted by: Lloyd Lee Wilson at January 8, 2006 7:05 PM
