It would be difficult to catalogue all the differences between Quaker yearly meetings but one summary, from Quaker Scholar Pink Dandelion, is useful for our purposes here. In his Swarthmore lecture , Dandelion outlines four practices he sees among Quakers worldwide:. Direct Encounter with God — Quakers believe that they do not need a mediator, a priest, pastor, or physical elements like the Eucharist or water Baptism to interact with God.
For Friends, all people have the possibility of direct access to God. Nurture the Life of the Spirit — Quakers believe that the meeting for worship is essential. Bernard Canter There is no creed or formal set of beliefs that you have to hold to be a Quaker. This is because:. Quakers believe that faith is something that is always developing and not something frozen at a particular moment in history that can be captured in a fixed code of belief.
There are about , Quakers across the world. The essence of the Quakers Quakers believe that there is something of God in everybody and that each human being is of unique worth. What Quakers believe Among key Quaker beliefs are: God is love the light of God is in every single person a person who lets their life be guided by that light will achieve a full relationship with God everyone can have a direct, personal relationship with God without involving a priest or minister redemption and the Kingdom of Heaven are to be experienced now, in this world Quakers want to make this a better world Quakers work actively to make this a better world.
It has roots in Christianity and many Quakers find the life and teachings of Jesus inspirational, but we have no creed. Quakers today do not look any different from other people, although we try to avoid extravagance and excess.
Our vision is of a world of justice, peace and equality. Our inner experience leads us to be committed to equality, peace, simplicity and truth; all of which we try to live out in our lives. The Religious Society of Friends or Quakers began in in the UK, at a time of growing disillusionment with the established church. Early Quakers were persecuted and imprisoned until the Toleration Act of granted the right to religious freedom.
Because they are thankful for having known the dead person, Quaker mourners tend not to wear black. The funeral can follow the normal silent pattern of Quaker worship, or it can include programmed elements.
At a meeting following the silent pattern the contributions are likely to include memories as well as prayers or readings. A senior person will normally begin the meeting with a brief explanation of Quaker worship if there are many non-Quakers present. In addition to the funeral there can be a "meeting for worship on the occasion of the death of our Friend".
The Quakers are organised through a series of meetings. While there are actual meetings the word is used here to refer to the groups of people who meet to look after particular functions. The meetings are named after the frequency with which a group meets.
The structure is organised at local level Preparative Meetings , smaller and larger district levels Monthly and General Meetings and national level Yearly Meeting.
Individual Quaker Meetings carry out matters of business and administration at "Meetings for Worship with a Concern for Business". The whole of such a meeting, even the most nit-pickingly detailed section, is regarded as worship. These meetings begin with silence. When the Clerk judges the time is right, he or she summarises the agenda before the meeting, provides any necessary background information, and lays the first item before the meeting.
People stand up to show they wish to speak, and are called by the Clerk. The traditional formula for raising an issue is to begin "I have a Concern The decision is not based on a majority or a consensus, but on the "sense of the meeting". Once a minute has been drafted and read out members can suggest modifications. Meetings try not to take decisions by a majority vote, or even by reaching a consensus; they wait until "the right way will open and we shall be led into unity. Our own experience leads us to affirm that the church can be so ordered that the guidance of the Holy Spirit can be known and followed without the need for a separated clergy.
Some members may be appointed as elders because a meeting recognises that they have the ability to serve in a particular way. Appointment as an elder doesn't mean that the person is in any way superior to anyone else. Such appointments are for three years and can be renewed. Search term:. Read more. This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets CSS enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience.
Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets CSS if you are able to do so. This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Find out more about page archiving. Quakers Last updated There are about , Quakers across the world. The essence of the Quakers Quakers believe that there is something of God in everybody and that each human being is of unique worth.
What Quakers believe Among key Quaker beliefs are: God is love the light of God is in every single person a person who lets their life be guided by that light will achieve a full relationship with God everyone can have a direct, personal relationship with God without involving a priest or minister redemption and the Kingdom of Heaven are to be experienced now, in this world Quakers want to make this a better world Quakers work actively to make this a better world.
They are particularly concerned with: human rights, based on their belief in equality of all human beings social justice peace freedom of conscience environmental issues - Quakers seek to live simply so as to reduce the burden on the world community life Holy Books Quakers do not regard any book as being the actual 'word of God'. Worship Quaker communal worship consists of silent waiting, with participants contributing as the spirit moves them.
Are Quakers Christian? Where the names come from One story says that the founder, George Fox, once told a magistrate to tremble quake at the name of God and the name 'Quakers' stuck. Beliefs Quaker ideas and beliefs Beliefs are not just safe ledges in an uncertain reality, but rather handholds from which further heights can be reached.
Eleven Quaker Scientists, Bernard Canter Worship Quaker worship Worship is our response to an awareness of God. Advice and Queries. Richard Allen. Be still and cool in thy own mind and spirit from thy own thoughts George Fox.
True silence William Penn, Fox and social issues Fox got into political trouble because of his idea that there was something "of God in every person". Fox and religious issues Fox's aim was to inspire people to hear and obey the voice of God and become a community "renewed up again in God's image" by living the principles of their faith.
Quakers and slavery The origins of Christian abolitionism can be traced to the late 17th Century and the Quakers. Holy days Holy days Quakers do not celebrate Christian festivals such as Easter and Christmas although Quaker families may mark Christmas as the secular festival it has largely become.
Ethics Quaker ethics Take heed, dear Friends, to the promptings of love and truth in your hearts. Advices and Queries. John Woolman, Towards a Quaker view of sex, No relationship can be a right one which makes use of another person through selfish desire. Advices, Britain Yearly Meeting. Meeting for Sufferings' Statement of Intent on Racism, Quaker Faith and Practice. Quaker statement to King Charles II, A good end cannot sanctify evil means; nor must we ever do evil, that good may come of it.
London Yearly Meeting, Kathleen Lonsdale, John Woolman Marriage Quaker marriage Quakers strongly believe in the sanctity of marriage but also recognise the value of non-marital relationships and the single life.
George Fox, Minute 25, Britain Yearly Meeting 31 July Funerals Quaker funerals A Quaker funeral has two particular aims: to thank God for the life that has been lived, and to help the mourners feel a deep sense of God's presence.
Quakers can be buried or cremated. Structure and clergy Structure of the Quaker movement The Quakers are organised through a series of meetings.
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