Quakers
Quakers, or members of the Religious Society of Friends, are a Christian movement that originated in mid-seventeenth century England, founded by George Fox. Central to Quaker belief is the idea that everyone possesses an inherent connection to God, referred to as the "light within." This belief fosters a commitment to equality, respect, and the inherent worth of all individuals. Quakers are known for their unprogrammed worship style, often gathering in silence until someone feels led to share insights or messages from God, emphasizing personal spiritual experiences over formal rituals.
Historically, Quakers have been active in various social justice movements, advocating for human rights, peace, and environmental stewardship, often at great personal risk. They are also recognized for their progressive views on gender equality, having promoted the education of women and supported early feminist movements. Their commitment to pacifism leads many to refuse participation in war, opting instead for conscientious objection. Quakers strive for a life guided by divine principles, embodying faith through actions that reflect their values of simplicity and social responsibility.
Quakers
Quakers are members of the Religious Society of Friends, a movement based in Christianity that began in the mid-seventeenth century in England. Founded by George Fox, the society emphasizes the worth of all individuals and their direct connection to God. The term "Quaker" was descriptive of the physical shaking some of the original believers experienced as they sought the light of God within themselves. "Friends," as they call themselves, try to live according to principles of inherent goodness, truth, respect, and equality among all people.
Overview
Following the Protestant Reformation and the establishment of the Church of England, several new religious sects emerged, breaking away from the traditional rules of Christianity. George Fox (1624–91) responded to an inner voice that encouraged him to leave the established church and search for truth. He concluded that the voice he had heard was a direct communication from God, and everyone could connect with the creator directly without priests, books, or churches. He began preaching his new ideas and gathered a large following, which became the Religious Society of Friends. Fox's ideas were revolutionary—and dangerous—in a society built on strict social classes and legal discrimination. For his faith and unique approach to religion and society, he was persecuted, beaten, and imprisoned.
In spite of the punishment, Fox refused to follow the social customs of his day. His strong belief in equality led him to refuse to remove his hat or take an oath in court. Instead of the more formal "you" when speaking to those in higher social classes, he used "thee" and "thou," the familiar form, to acknowledge equal rank among all citizens. He also used numbers for the days of the week, First Day being Sunday, because he considered the common names to be pagan.
Quaker Beliefs
Based on George Fox's first-hand experience of God, Quakers believe that the light of God is within every person. This belief led to the idea that every individual is worthy and equal and should be treated accordingly. Quakers also believe that redemption is in the here and now, not in an afterlife, so religious principles should influence everything a person does. Because God is a presence in their everyday lives, Quakers try to make the world better by promoting human rights, social justice, peace, and the improvement of the community and the environment. Many Friends have worked actively for these and other social causes, sometimes risking harm or imprisonment in the process. For example, William Penn (1644–1718), a Quaker convert, founded Pennsylvania on the principles of religious tolerance and political freedom. He negotiated treaties with the Indians, accepting them as equals, and set up an elected assembly to help govern the new province.
Participation in a Friends community is part of a deep search for divine guidance. It is the attempt to live faithfully in harmony with that guidance that makes a person a Quaker. Two symbols embody the essence of Quakerism: the heart, as faith, and the hand, as work. Both are part of the divinely guided and personally active approach to spiritual wholeness.
Quaker Meetings
While most Christian services involve a church, a preacher, a Bible, certain rituals, and other religious traditions, an unprogrammed Friends Meeting, held in a plain meeting house, is silent until a member of the group feels the need to share some received enlightenment from God. These Quakers consider sermons, books, and creeds as second-hand experiences that place faith in another person rather than in God. At Meeting, as they call their worship services, a person may read a passage from a book, say a prayer, share a message from God, or remain silent. In fact, it is not unusual for the entire hour of a traditional Meeting to pass in complete silence. Quakers describe the experience as "listening," "waiting," or "looking inward" as they dismiss their own thoughts in favor of collective meditation.
Some Quaker groups follow a more structured program. Their Meetings resemble Protestant church services, as they are led by a pastor and follow Christian scripture. While programmed Meetings also encourage the quest for inward guidance, members believe that Bible study can help individuals determine whether their thoughts come from God or are their own ideas and feelings. Regardless of how worship is expressed, the core of Quaker conviction is the quest for divine guidance and the ability to live the faith, rather than professing specific beliefs.
Quaker Principles in Action
Most Quakers are social activists based on their deep belief in the worth of every individual. They cite the example of Jesus, who accepted people from all walks of life. One of the most striking Quaker beliefs is that of the equality of the sexes, which was unheard of in the early days of the movement. Quakers educated their daughters as well as their sons, and many Quaker women became pioneers in science and social activism. For example, Lucretia Mott (1793–1880) was an influential abolitionist and leader of the early women's rights movement; Maria Mitchell (1818–89) became an astronomer and discovered a comet; Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906) was a leading voice for women's suffrage.
Because war and conflict violate the Quakers' belief in human equality and their primary loyalty to God, most have refused to participate in combat of any kind. They deny the right of the state to draft people into the armed forces; they become conscientious objectors instead. Their principle of pacifism also requires work on behalf of peace, using nonviolent means to oppose injustice wherever it is found.
Quakers also consider themselves, as humans, responsible for taking care of the environment. Their beliefs in simplicity and social justice contribute to a rejection of advertising and the pressure to own more than they need. By paying attention to all the effects their choices have on the environment and the economy, including whether companies are profiting from the oppression of others, Quakers find strength and fulfillment in simple living.
Bibliography
"Religions: Quakers." BBC, 3 July 2009, www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/subdivisions/quakers‗1.shtml. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Smith, Robert Lawrence. A Quaker Book of Wisdom. William Morrow, 1998.
Wade, Dave. "Quakers: The Faith Forgotten in Its Hometown." BBC, 25 Apr. 2015, www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-32381926. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
"What Do Quakers Believe?" Quaker Information Center, Earlham School of Religion, 26 May 2011, quakerinfo.org/quakerism/beliefs. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
"What Is a Quaker? A Brief History of Quakerism." Friends Academy, 11 Dec. 2023, www.friendsacademy.org/blog/a-brief-history-of-quakerism. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.