Who are the Quakers
Who are the quakers
The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) emerged as one of the radical Christian groups during a time of religious, social and political turmoil in mid-l7th century England. They emphasised inner religious experience and simple, truthful, ethical, peaceful living, rather than the authority of Church or State.
The Society has survived through various changes of ethos, ever since; and it has spread internationally, with different styles in different countries. In Britain, Quakers now offer a flexible, non-dogmatic approach to spirituality and religion, with the emphasis on inner experience and ethical living.
Quakers try to live relatively simple lives, not too involved with money, possessions, status or power, believing that the seeking of short-term pleasures does not lead to deeper long-term inner peace and joy.
How do Quakers worship? 
There are no priests, and no services or sacraments in the usual Christian sense.
We come together and sit in silent contemplation. From within this silence we are sometimes moved by the spirit to speak. This may be to speak about an issue or experience we feel compelled to minister on.
The collective experience of worshipping together can be very enlightening, uplifting and revealing.
The meeting finishes with everyone shaking hands.
Refreshments are usually served after a Meeting for Worship and you are very welcome to stay and talk or ask questions.
Anyone is welcome to attend a Quaker Meeting for Worship without commitment. We do not evangelise or try to convert anyone. Our view is that we are all on a journey through life and everyone's experience is equally valid, whatever it may be.
Should you decide to attend, you will find a variety of leaflets explaining various different aspects of Quakerism together with a modest library of Quaker writings and history.
What do Quakers believe?
There is no creed. While many Quakers accept the idea of one God, some think of themselves as definitely Christian, others, though acknowledging Jesus' moral teaching, do not wish to partition themselves from those of other faiths or none. Quakers find inspiration in the Bible but also from many other sources and traditions.
One of our fundamental beliefs is that 'there is that of God in everyone' which implies no discrimination on grounds of gender or sexuality, youth or age, race, ethnicity or nationality, religion, social status, intellect or fame.
There is a principle placed in the human mind
which is pure & proceeds from God.
It is deep and inward,
confined to no religion
nor excluded from any
where the heart stands in perfect sincerity.
(John Woolman, American Quaker, 1720-1772)
Authentic Quaker teaching
The most important texts guiding our life have been collected in a book
now
called 'Quaker Faith and Practice' (Second edition, 1999, 671 pages) constituting
the Christian discipline of the Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of
Friends (Quakers) in Britain.
The earliest edition of this collection was published in 1783. This was gradually revised and added to, in accordance with changing practices, until the current text resulted.
The book is available from Quaker Bookshop, Friends House, 173 Euston Road, London NW1-2BJ.
The first chapter (21 pages) contains a collection of Quaker wisdom
which is
separately known as 'Advices and Queries' and is often quoted.
Quakers and peace
Quakers have often been persecuted for their refusal to conform to the established church and bow to established authority.
"Fox got into political trouble because of his idea that there was something "of God in every person".
This was a revolutionary attack on all discrimination by social class, wealth, race and gender that had worrying implications for the social structure of his time.
The political establishment did not take this lying down. Quaker refusal to take oaths, to take off their hats before a magistrate, and their insistence on holding banned religious meetings in public led to 6,000 Quakers being imprisoned between 1662 and 1670."
Source:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/subdivisions/quakers/history.shtml
| Quakers being led to execution in Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 1600s | |
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In both England and colonial America,
Quakers suffered harsh persecution for their defiance of the
established order. They also endured hurts inflicted by fanaticism
within their own ranks, an Inner Light that occasionally burned
out of control. Nevertheless, Quaker influence flourished, reaching
a pinnacle in William Penn's Holy Experiment in Pennsylvania,
an enterprise still celebrated as this country's fountainhead
of religious tolerance. Moreover, despite a period of intense
internal division, Quakers played a pivotal role in the abolition
of slavery, the rise of women's rights, and the modern peace
movement.
Source: http://www.worldandi.com/specialreport/2003/August/Sa23246.htm |
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Fierce Feathers: A story of the Quakers in America
Then two Braves stepped across the open window. Two more, and the chief,
stood in the doorway. One by one, the worshipping Friends inside noticed
the presence of the attackers. The quiet air crackled with tension. Each
one looked to Robert: he motioned with his hands to keep still, to continue
in prayer. Time stretched. The native American eyes took in the scene.
There were no guns. No swords. No weapons. Then the Chief murmured to
his Braves in a low voice. Silently, one by one, each Brave laid his
axe and weapons on the ground. Each one filed into the crowded cabin.
They too sat at peace with the Friends in worship.
Read more ...
A brief history of Quakers
Click here for a BBC sketch of Quaker history.
The Family of James Carver
a Quaker family of England, Pennsylvania, & North Carolina
http://www.charlesbenbowfamily.homestead.com/Carver.html