General Information

● They are strong believers in pacifism● They believe that the spirit of God is in everybody, not in churches● Don’t take any kind of oaths

○ They don’t even have a codified creed, believing in the importance of individual faith

○ Don’t believe in honorific titles○ Preaching is silent unless someone feels called to speak

● Bible isn’t like, the actual word of God, but rather just a good example of how to live your life

○ See it more as a more complete view of the world to guide decisions, which also relates to why they put so much value in community

● They often “quake” as the spirit moves through them during their silent gatherings

○ They were originally called Quakers derogatorily but the Religious Society of Friends later embraced the term.

● Founded by George Fox in the earlier 17th century● They were persecuted for a while due to their breaking of the Christian status

quo.● Services can be “programmed” - led by a pastor - or “unprogrammed” - done in

silence (typically called meetings)● “Many, but not all, Quakers consider themselves Christians.”● Quakers are neither Shakers (a dead sect) or Amish, though they share some

common values.● No established belief about heaven or hell, the afterlife is up to personal

interpretation● See sacraments as more of an inward experience so they don’t really put the

time or resources into organizing big sacramental events● Little to no emphasis on festivals like Christmas or Easter either● Four branches:

○ Liberal Friends○ Conservative Friends○ Pastoral Friends○ Evangelical Friends

Fun Facts:

● The state of Pennsylvania was founded by the Quaker William Penn after receiving a large land grant from King Charles II

○ He set it up as a sanctuary for religious tolerance and freedom○ “Within just a few years, several thousand Friends had moved to

Pennsylvania from Britain.”○ The Pennsylvania Quakers tried to get involved in politics for a while but

found themselves getting too closely tied to war, which goes against their pacifist beliefs

● Quakers took charge in Native American rights movements● Quakers were some of the earliest abolitionists

○ By 1780 all Friends were disallowed from owning slaves● Herbert Hoover and Richard Nixon were Quakers● Not related to the oatmeal

Pushing Christianity’s Limits

When one considers the basics of Christianity, the mind immediately goes to belief in Jesus as the Son of God and Messiah. However, the Religious Society of Friends challenges these beliefs. While they follow the example of Jesus, they don’t believe him to be the pathway connecting people to God- they believe that a relationship with God should be direct and personal, and that Jesus serves as an example of how one should live their life. These ideas stem largely from the Quaker belief that the Holy Spirit lives in everyone to such a degree as to cause people to be physically moved by the spirit of God. Naturally this exemplifies their belief that God is still present, still speaking through people who are willing and ready to listen. This belief helps to negate the need for a priest or preacher at some meetings, which wind up involving only the congregation, who speak and preach as they feel moved. As this denomination is driven much more by the masses than by structure and leadership, they find themselves de-emphasizing sacraments and festivals such as Christmas and Easter. In light of this community focus, the Friends have decided not to codify their beliefs, and instead believe in each person finding the path to a connection with God that suits them.

Works Cited

Editors, History.com. “Quakers.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 19 May 2017,

www.history.com/topics/immigration/history-of-quakerism.

“FAQs.” Friends General Conference, Friends General Conference,

www.fgcquaker.org/discover/faqs-about-quakers.

“Religions - Christianity: Quakers.” BBC, BBC, 3 July 2009,

www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/subdivisions/quakers_1.shtml.

“Branches of Friends Today.” Branches of Friends Today | Quaker Information Center,

www.quakerinfo.org/quakerism/branches/today.

George Fox (founder)

Quaker activists (with a pacifist message)

Quaker Insignia/Emblem thing (if you print it probably best making it small)