About the Religious Society of Friends - Quakers

NMCF Caveat: The Religious Society of Friends is composed of many diverse meetings with very diverse interpretations and practices. The information set forth below is fairly representative of meetings that are within the Friends General Conference. For a bit more information about the diverse nature of Friends, click here.

 

WORSHIP

Quaker worship is based on silent waiting. It offers each person an opportunity to still the chatter of their life and to tune into the Spirit, however they may understand this. It is through this stillness that we are able to discern that Small Voice within each of us. During meeting we are held in the safety and energy of worshipful others. While in this worshipful state, some may be filled by the Spirit and moved to speak. These contributions are welcomed but not answered or commented on. Each verbal message is followed by silence. Traditionally, the worship ends when hands are shaken. After meeting, we enjoy a time of sharing about our lives. If you have questions about Quaker Worship or our meeting, please do not hesitate to ask someone following the sharing.

 

GENERAL BELIEFS

The Religious Society of Friends is made up of seekers, that is people who are on their journey toward discovering and enhancing their spiritual life. In unprogrammed meetings, there is no set dogma, but there are underlying basic truths to which Quakers hold, even though there is a wide diversity of beliefs. Some of the more important of these truths are:

• There is that of God in everyone and through stillness and waiting we can discern the "still small voice"
• Continuing revelation. Through the Light, new information is revealed to us and more understanding given to us. God did not stop communicating to us when the Bible was written.
• That each person can have a direct connection with the Spirit with no need of any intermediary minister or priest.
• That our faith must affect our actions, our actions need to be outward manifestations of our beliefs

Friends come from all different religions. Some are very Christocentric and some are Universalist, which at times has been contentious, causing some strain within meetings. We are called to "listen in tongues."

 

TESTIMONIES

Friends have never separated their beliefs from their daily lives and have always held it to be very important that the Inner Light shine through us into the "outside" world. Probably the most important belief that Quakers base their testimonies on is "that there is that of God in everyone". A few of the testimonies are harmony, peace, simplicity, community, and equality. Known for their crusades against slavery, for woman suffrage, and prison reform among others, they have continued to believe that God speaks directly to those who listen and directs them to the work needed in the world.