About Quakerism

Who are Quakers and where can I find more information about Quakers?

Quakers are members of the Religious Society of Friends, a faith that emerged as a new Christian denomination in England during a period of religious turmoil in the mid 1600's. It is practiced today, in a variety of forms, around the world. George Fox was founder of this movement. To members of this religion, the words "Quaker" and "Friend" mean the same thing. Quakers are an active, involved, faith-based community living in the modern world.

Why do Quakers call themselves “Friends”?

The term is a reflection of our belief in equality among fellow human beings seeing “that of God” in every one. The label of “Friends” was taken from words in the Gospel of John 15 following the parable of the Vine and the Branches: “I have told you this so my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.”

Are Quakers Christians? Do they believe in the Bible?

The teachings of Jesus Christ are at the core of Quakerism. The reliance upon the exact words in the Bible varies among us. It is the spirit of the words that informs us. See Quaker Beliefs.

What do Quakers Believe?

We believe that there is “that of God,“ that is, some divine essence, in every person. Because there is “that of God” in everyone, we are all equal, and because of that we refrain from all violence. We try to lead simple lives and avoid ostentatious speech and lifestyles. We believe in continuing revelation…we sense ourselves to be led. We believe that oiur understanding can be distorted by personal desires and issues. To balance this potential, we practice corporate reflection and discernment when important decisions are called for.

Why do Quakers object to serving in the armed forces?

Ever since George Fox and other Friends declared in 1661 to King Charles II of England that "the spirit of Christ...will never move us to fight any war against any man with outward weapons, neither for the kingdom of Christ, nor for the kingdoms of this world," Friends have on a corporate basis opposed all wars and have promoted nonviolent, non-coercive strategies for resolving conflicts between nations. Opposition has included supporting individuals who conscientiously object to war by refusing to register for conscription, refusing to serve when conscripted, or refusing to pay taxes for war. Nevertheless, because Friends emphasize the individual nature of spiritual revelation rather than attempting to enforce a creed on all members, it is true that some Friends have chosen to serve in the armed forces, usually as non-combatants. See Consciousness Objector page for more info.

Are there different branches of Quakers?

Yes, there are three different umbrella organizations representing the three main branches: unprogrammed (as Gwynedd is) in Friends General Conference, Friends United Meeting, similar to other Protestant churches, and the Evangelical Friends Meeting. Different parts of the USA have different preponderances of branches, as do the various other countries. (See the history link)

Are there Quakers in other countries?

Yes, Quakers originated in England and there are Meetings in 75 countries and in every state in the United States.
See www.FWCCworld.org

The Meeting Historian researches and maintains information relevant to the Meeting's history.
The Historian, James Quinn, is the contact.

Clicking Historical Resources will take you to the comprehensive history site including:

Chronological Sketch, Gwynedd Meeting
Meeting History and Genealogy
Census Data and Tax Lists
Burial Grounds
Biographies
Essays
Quaker Links
Genealogy Links (all free)
Relevant Histories

Arthur D'Adamo, 12/24/2020

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Planning your Visit

New to Meeting for Worship?

If you've never attended a Meeting for Worship, we hope you will come worship with us -- give it a try.

Most Quaker meetings, at least in this part of the country, are so-called "unprogrammed" meetings. This means that our meetings for worship are not led by a minister, but are largely conducted in silence. Typically, a Clerk or other Member of the Meeting will close worship with a simple "Good morning friends" but otherwise the meeting may be completely silent.

ripples

Members and attenders are always invited to speak out of the silence with a message about their spiritual journey, although messages are not responded to directly .

A message has been described as a pebble tossed into a pond. The resulting ripples are received by others in the meeting and may contribute to their own spiritual journeys.

Continuing Revelation

In the Religious Society of Friends, continuing revelation comes from the Inner light or the light within. This light has traditionally been identified as the spirit of Christ or Christ within, although not all Friends associate the inner light with Christ. It is understood as the presence of God which provides illumination and guidance to the individual and through individuals to the group.

Because Friends believe that revelation is ongoing, we have no set creed or dogmas and we believe that new truth is revealed to us as we continue our spiritual journeys individually and with one another.

As early Friends listened to the inner light and endeavored to live accordingly, a common set of beliefs gradually emerged, which became known as Quaker testimonies. Although rooted in the immediate experience of the community of Friends, these testimonies are based on what Friends believe are verified in the Bible, especially the Gospels regarding the life and teachings of Jesus, and in our ongoing discernment of God’s desire for us to fulfill loving relationships with each other and the world.

PYM (Philadelphia Yearly Meeting) Quakers consider the inner light to be above and beyond the Bible and other formalistic, written dogmas. We trust that the continuing revelation of the inner light speaks to us in our everyday lives.

Hubb Manager, 10/15/2019