Customer Reviews

Beyond Majority Rule: Voteless Decisions in the Religious Society of Friends

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Well-written examination of how and why consensus works among the Society of Friends (Quakers) in Meeting for Business, both historically and in the present. Applicable to many other groups and institutions. A fascinating read.

This book is about Quaker decision-making, but the use of the secularly familiar word "consensus" in the previous review may be misleading. Sheeran examines and explores in great depth how Friends come to make decisions.

Both simple and complicated, the process comes out of a history and practice based on spirit-led decision making.

The book can explain far better than I what the process is, how it can work amazingly well, how it may sometimes fail. The decision-making process among Friends is what 'hooked' me to keep coming to meetings, especially decision-making meetings (Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business). When it works it is an awe-filled experience. When it doesn't, the results of the decision often crumble.

An excellent book for new clerks and newcomers, as well as a reminder to Friends who may be tempted to fall back on the corporate or secular world's way of finding consensus.