The rhetoric of silence: The society of friends' unprogrammed meeting for worship

Abstract

The Society of Friends' unprogrammed Meeting for Worship is examined as a unique form of rhetoric. The philosophical bases of Quaker worship are seen to contribute to a participatory form of rhetoric in which silence is the primary means of group identification and in which source and audience merge in the emergent vocal ministry. The strength of unity and common mission achieved through the rhetoric of silence is illuminated by the socio‐political contributions which Quakers have made in every area of modern society for the last two centuries. The silent meeting is held as a potential model for achieving participatory identification in a variety of non‐religious contexts.

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