There are moments in life, when multiple strands of thought, belief, guidance, passion and spirituality come together. Strands that you thought might be forever unravelled. Today is one of those days of coming together!
I became a Christian at eight years of age. I became a missionary at nine. I became a theology student at 18. I became an atheist at 25. I started meditating at 36. I became a vegetarian at 47. I became a vegan at 51. My spiritual journey has been ongoing, since I first walked that isle in 1975. Today is another step.
More than 18 months ago, I went to a Quaker meeting here in Nelson-Whakatū with my wife. I was drawn to the wee white house between our house and the cathedral. At the end of the meeting, there was light “food” and beverage offered. I saw cow breast milk butter being spread on scones, milk denied babies who died so we could take their nourishment being put in tea and coffee - and knew these weren’t my people. I left the meeting saddened, but still with a sense of hope.
How could a people who promoted “peace, integrity, equality, simplicity and sustainability” possibly be part of such actions that obviously violated all of these principles?
I knew that Quakerism had something to offer me - I felt The Spirit leading me here, but why? I could not align myself with those who practiced violence. This experience stayed with me.
As I have been reading George Fox’s Journal, I see ways in which he and I have let The Spirit move through us, inspiring us, helping us through moments of darkness. So, back to the strands!
I have been weaving - or perhaps more accurate to say that The Spirit has been weaving - together so many strands. I had a theology lecturer who would talk of threads, as through a tapestry. Today a part of the tapestry has come together.
I can testify that The Spirit has led me to the following:
- The divine exists in all sentient life.
- My calling is to promote empathy, compassion and kindness for all sentient life, emphasising the non-human life most of us abuse and murder.
- I am called to do this within a Quaker context, being specific that our movement is one of non-violence.
Yesterday, I modified Society of Friends to Society of Non-Violent Friends and I knew this was The Spirit working through me. This is the way forward!
So, this morning, I share with all of creation that I am a vegan Friend!
May all beings know peace!
Aroha nui,
Tūruapō ❣
31 Jul 2025, 08.36 (GMT +13)