Modern Testimonies: The Approach of Quakers to Substance use and Gambling

Quaker Studies Volume 14 | Issue 1 Article 5 2010 Modern Testimonies: The Approach of Quakers to Substance use and Gambling Helena Chambers Quaker Action on Alcohol and Drugs, Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/quakerstudies Part of the Christian Denominations and Sects Commons, and the Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons Recommended Citation Chambers, Helena (2010) "Modern Testimonies: The Approach of Quakers to Substance use and Gambling," Quaker Studies: Vol. 14: Iss. 1, Article 5. Available at: http://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/quakerstudies/vol14/iss1/5 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Digital Commons @ George Fox University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Quaker Studies by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ George Fox University. For more information, please contact . QUAKER STUDIES QUAKER STUDIES 14/1 (2009) [93-107] ISSN 1363-013X �TAILS Department of Economic and Social published widely on various aspects of �ss history. He is the author of Social 2003), The joseph Rowntree Charitable tit Education 1904-1954 (2004) and St g with Robin Pearson (University of r) on a study of early British and Irish and Social History, Lilybank House, Glasgow G 1 2 8RT, Scotland. MODERN TESTIMONIES: THE APPROACH OF QUAKERS TO SUBSTANCE USE AND GAMBLING H elena Chambers Gloucester, England ABSTRACT This article outlines a study into Quaker attitudes and behaviours in relation to the testimony of abstinence and moderation and that regarding gambling and speculation. The background to the Quaker testimonies is summarised, and relevant research in the substances/gambling fields about denominational influences on personal behaviours is briefly outlined. The questions raised by recent Quaker scholarship represented are considered, and the study results are outlined in relation to the theory of Quaker double-culture (Dandelion 1996; Dandelion and Collins 2008) and the suggestions of Scully regarding virtue ethics among Quakers (2002, 2008). It is suggested that whereas the liberal belief culture (Dandelion 1996, 2008) and the spiritual/belief diversity within Quakerism (Pilgrim 2008) have some fragmenting effects theologically, in relation to these testimo nies, these diversifYing elements are counter-balanced by core (deontological) values. These values are spiritually based and widely held among Friends, and are perceived as being specifically Quaker. It is argued that diversifYing and unifYing factors are thus held in tension in a way that has some distinctive effects, both in terms of individuals and in relation to the denominational profile. It is further argued that the results of this balance are largely benign in terms of substance using and gambling behaviours, and that this may have useful applications beyond a Quaker context. KEYWORDS Quaker; testimony; substance use; gambling; spiritual; distinctive profile INTRODUCTION POSITION AS RESEARCHER The starting point for this investigation was my appointment as Project Leader by Quaker Action on Alcohol and Drugs (QAAD), which is a Quaker charity with a long-standing concern about these subjects. This gave me 'insider status', as part of the broad group on which I was conducting the research (Becker 1963; Krieger 1985). Dandelion (1996) has classified insider research that is overt (known to all participants) into two categories: 94 QUAKER STUDIES ( 'insider to the group' (e.g. Hobbs 1989) and 'insider to the context' (e.g. Heilman 1976). Prior to my appointment I had no previous connection with Quakers, though I have subsequently developed a personal interest in Quakerism. Although I had many of the characteristics of the insider, then, I was an insider to the context rather than to the full a g range of experiences of the group that I was researching. During the research investiga tion and analysis, I was positioned on the research discourse, the professional discourse, and that of the enquirer about Quakerism. The result is, of course, a composite, but I have tried to make these strands as clear as possible. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND TO THESE TESTIMONIES The Quaker testimony on the use of alcohol dates back to George Fox and the begin nings of Quakerism. Fox's journal shows him drinking 'small beer' only in so far as it was necessary to quench his thirst, and disassociating himself from a situation where others who 'professed' to be religious began to drink to excess: And when we had drunk a glass apiece, they began to drink healths and called for more drink, agreeing together that he that would not drink should pay all. I was grieved that any that made profession of religion should offer to do so .. .wherefore I rose up to be gone, and putting my hand into my pocket, I took out a groat and laid it down upon the table before them and said, 'If it be so, I'll leave you'. So I went away... (Nickalls 1952: 2-3). ti sl t; a Sl c li () Sl ( v There is also early evidence of care being taken to avoid smoking tobacco in public places, in order to avoid 'the appearance of evil': It being discoursed that the common excess of smoking tobacco is inconsistent with our holy profession, this meeting adviseth that such as have occasion to make use of it do take it privately, neither in their labour nor employment, nor by the highways, nor in alehouses, nor elsewhere too publicly. (Minutes of Hardshaw Monthly Meeting 1691: 17 ix) Gambling, too, was avoided, for some similar reasons: 'Are friends careful to avoid all vain sports, places of diversion, gaming, and all unnecessary frequenting of alehouses or taverns, excess in drinking, and intemperance of every kind?' (London Yearly Meeting 1783: 196). In the nineteenth century, Quakers were strongly associated with the Temperance movement, and many eschewed alcohol completely. By the twentieth century, the emphasis tended back towards moderation rather than total abstinence, and Quaker Faith v tl 0 b Il a S< and Practice gives advice on the use of substances under the heading of 'abstinence and moderation': 'In view of the harm done by the use of alcohol, tobacco and other habit forming drugs, consider whether you should limit your use of them or refrain from using them altogether' (Quaker Faith and Practice 1995: 1.02.40). As regards content, the Quaker testimony on gambling and speculation has modulated somewhat less than that on substances over the last two centuries, and a consistent stance against any gambling has been maintained: 'Resist 'the desire to acquire possessions or income through unethical investment, speculation, or games of chance' (Quaker Faith and Practice 1995: 1.02). ( tl QUAKER STUDIES l 'insider to the context' (e.g. Heilman 1976). 1s connection with Quakers, though I have in Quakerism. Although I had many of the insider to the context rather than to the full CHAMBERS MODERN TESTIMONIES The advent of the National Lottery brought gambling into p (...truncated)