Who are the Quakers and what do they believe in?

Answer 1

Quakers believe that there is something of God in everybody and that each human being is of unique worth. This is why Quakers value all people equally, and oppose anything that may harm or threaten them. They seek religious truth in inner experience, and place great reliance on conscience as the basis of morality.

They emphasise direct experience of God rather than ritual and ceremony. They believe that priests and rituals are an unnecessary obstruction between the believer and God. They integrate religion and everyday life. They believe God can be found in the middle of everyday life and human relationships, as much as during a meeting for worship.

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 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'.

Most Quakers regard The Bible as a very great inspirational book but they don't see it as the only one, and so they read other books that can guide their lives. Holy Days Quakers do not celebrate Christian festivals such as Easter and Christmas. Worship Quaker communal worship consists of silent waiting, with participants contributing as the spirit moves them. Are Quakers Christian? Although outsiders usually regard the movement as a Christian denomination, not all Quakers see themselves as Christians; some regard themselves as members of a universal religion that (for historical reasons) has many Christian elements.

Tolerance is part of the Quaker approach to life, so Quakers are willing to learn from all other faiths and churches.

Answer 2

"Quakers," (actual name: Society of Friends) stood for extreme simplicity in worship and conduct, eschewing ritual, music, titles and elaborate courtesies. Over the years, Quakers have come more to resemble mainstream Christians (they no longer address each other as "thee") but some distinctions remain in their nomenclature. For example, instead of "priest or minister" they have "clerk"; for "church," "meeting house"; for "Sunday," "First Day"; for "congregation," "meeting."

It's widely believed that Quakers must be pacifist, and certainly many have been, but the real emphasis is acting on conscience and the inspiration of God. Quakers number only about 300,000, but have done social good all out of proportion to that small number.

Answer 3

They believe in decisions by consensus, oppose prisons and war. They support social justice and development--the American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker organization.

Answer 4

They believe in equality of all members; make decisions by consensus; oppose prisons and war.