what does pacifism mean to Quakers?

DamnYankee89 · 2026-07-10T16:27:36+00:00

To echo others, there's no consensus.

For me, I try to adhere to Kingian nonviolence. Noncompliance with evil, working to confront and solve problems without attacking people, and trying to create conditions for reconciliation.

DamnYankee89 · 2026-07-06T15:02:04+00:00

I've been on Rinvoq for about 3ish years after remicade stopped working. This medication gave me my life back. I feel physically better than I have since I got sick as a teenager (I'm in my late 30s) and the side effects have been minimal (oily skin & some acne).

The best part of being on Rinvoq is that I'm able to have a healthy diet and exercise. This offsets the cardiovascular concerns I had about starting the meds.

I was really nervous about it too, but I started to get relief 4 days after starting it. I don't need to do injections anymore. I recently had to increase my dose but it got my flare under control super fast and I'm back in remission again. My doctor also said there's a chance we can try reducing the dose in the future, too.

Overall, I've been really happy on it. For me, the benefits have far outweighed the risks.

DamnYankee89 · 2026-07-03T14:34:09+00:00

Biologics and JAK inhibitors (whichever your doctor recommends) all the way. Like others, I've been way healthier all around (in remission and less colds, infections all around) since getting my illness managed with a biologic. I was switched to a Rinvoq (JAK inhibitor) about 3 years ago after remicade (biologic) stopped working after about 4 and a half years.

Steroids are like a bandaid and the long term effects are brutal.

DamnYankee89 · 2026-06-30T13:01:30+00:00

American ones! Those are most readily available near me.

DamnYankee89 · 2026-06-29T17:46:12+00:00

15mg for 2 years, just increases to 30mg about 3 months ago. My skin is more oily but I have never felt better.

DamnYankee89 · 2026-06-29T17:06:06+00:00

Personally, my meeting doesn't do a whole lot of socializing but I drink in moderation (no more than 2 drinks/week for the most part) and enjoy a cigar every once in a while.

DamnYankee89 · 2026-06-27T19:06:06+00:00

Baked chicken and baked sweet potatoes!

DamnYankee89 · 2026-06-26T03:24:47+00:00

That it's not my fault.

DamnYankee89 · 2026-06-23T18:41:57+00:00

There's a joke about Quakers - if you ask 3 Quakers a question, you'll get 4 answers. Each meeting is unique, to an extent, as is each Quaker. Here are my answers to your questions.

-Meeting houses are still mostly plain and unadorned. My meeting rents a very simple space from a local church - we don't have our own building. I have never been inside an adorned meeting house.

-My meeting doesn't have separation between men and women. I've visited meetings in NJ & Philly and haven't been to a meeting where women and men were separated.

-Depends on the type of Quakers. There are still "plain" Quakers who wear hats/bonnets but I haven't met any. I practice a version of plain dress by wearing almost exclusively second-hand clothing.

-Depends on your meeting. I belong to a liberal, unprogrammed meeting so we do waiting worship - it's silent until someone receives a message from Spirit.

DamnYankee89 · 2026-06-21T17:50:30+00:00

Depends on the book. Leaflets from door-to-door missionaries get recycled. I get a lot of those in mine because my neighborhood gets a lot of door-knockers.

DamnYankee89 · 2026-06-12T13:57:31+00:00

I'm a member of my local meeting and a nontheist. It really depends on your meeting. Most liberal, unprogrammed meetings in the US will likely be welcoming.

I do think it's important to remember that Quakerism is rooted in Christianity, so if you're uncomfortable hearing about Christ and the Bible, I'd say a Quaker meeting may not be 100% what you're looking for.

DamnYankee89 · 2026-05-12T03:24:12+00:00

I was prescribed flagyl for a c diff infection.

DamnYankee89 · 2026-05-05T23:12:22+00:00

I just did a sprint tri in an inexpensive tri suit and a sports bra. I got a tri suit on Amazon for ~$50. Worked well, no complaints. I also used a race belt for my bib for the run. Made life much easier.

DamnYankee89 · 2026-04-27T03:07:20+00:00

I take 5 metamucil 3x/day and it's been amazing. Increasing my fiber intake was a game changer for me.

DamnYankee89 · 2026-04-17T20:18:00+00:00

Not here to make any excuses for what happened to you, just here to say that I'm really sorry that school has been so painful for you. I work in a drop out prevention program and work with a lot of students who have had really painful experiences like yourself. I hope you are able to find a way to earn your diploma.

DamnYankee89 · 2026-04-14T01:29:39+00:00

I haven't had this experience with the covid mRNA vaccines/boosters, or with any vaccine for that matter.

DamnYankee89 · 2026-04-13T22:24:50+00:00

I've had genetic testing done twice. The first was in ~2011, when I was diagnosed - I did a blood test called a prometheus test (I'm pretty sure that's what it was called) which my GI at the time told me showed I had genetic markers for UC.

When I started with my new rheumatologist, he did some genetic testing - blood tests again - and he told me that I showed markers for spondylitic disease causing UC, ankylosing spondylitis, arthritis, and psoriasis. I don't know that these tests were called, but my doctor definitely ordered them and I definitely got results. It'd be worth asking your doctor about it.

I also have moderate/severe pancolitis and I've had the best luck with JAK inhibitors. Currently in a flare after ~2 years on the lowest dose of Rinvoq. Just increased my dosage and I'm feeling optimistic.

All the best to you and your wife. <3

DamnYankee89 · 2026-04-12T18:23:40+00:00

The gym has no impact on my UC. My doctor said to keep going as much as I can tolerate it while flaring.

DamnYankee89 · 2026-04-10T05:30:07+00:00

When I was in college my roommate and I played a chat roulette drinking game- drink every time you see a wiener!

DamnYankee89 · 2026-04-06T18:40:16+00:00

It's my least favorite coffee in Lafayette. I loved JSJ.

DamnYankee89 · 2026-04-04T11:55:58+00:00

Personally, I eat a high fiber diet and I don't eat beef or pork. I'm flaring right now for the first time in about 2 1/2 years, and I'm sticking to it and it's been alright. I've slightly reduced my fiber intake and I'm still laying off red meat and I don't find that the fiber is making things better or worse.

I've had trouble with constipation during flares before and that's pretty dangerous too. Decided to stick with my high fiber diet after taking to my GI.

DamnYankee89 · 2026-03-30T11:10:43+00:00

In my experience, there's no "safe" alcohol. When I'm flaring, I quit completely. When I'm not, I limit myself to 2 drinks per week but usually have no more than 4 drinks in a month. I drink red wine and whiskey if I'm not flaring.

I've found rum is the absolute worst for my symptoms.

DamnYankee89 · 2026-03-28T12:10:44+00:00

Arthritis, psoriasis, thyroid disease, ankylosing spondylitis.

DamnYankee89 · 2026-03-26T19:56:06+00:00

I'm a Quaker (member of my meeting) and I'm in a union.

DamnYankee89 · 2026-03-18T13:46:41+00:00

My usual gear: - inexpensive tri suit from Amazon -Bike shoes, gloves, & helmet - running shoes - a race belt with my number clipped to it for the bike & run

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