PREVIEW FOR THE PRESENTATION IN CLASS
THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS - QUAKERS

"To be a Christian is to be Christlike."
Elias Hicks (1748-1830)

QUAKERISM - THE CHURCH OF FRIENDS

The Religious Society of Friends was founded in England in the middle of the seventeenth century by George Fox (1624-1691). The early followers were also called Friends of Truth and Children of the Light. The term Friend is derived from John 15:15 " but I have called you friends; for all things I have heard from my Father, I have made known unto you". The term Quaker was at first used derisively, after a statement of George Fox on a trial for his unorthodox views where he told the judge to tremble and qu ake at the word of the Lord. Quakers had immigrated to the New World as early as 1655, but unfortunately they continued to experience persecution in Massachusetts, where authorities resorted to extreme measures to suppress their religion. Many of the mem bers were tortured for their belief and some were even executed.

Under the leadership of William Penn, who himself accepted the beliefs of the Friends a "holy experiment" was carried out in instituting a state of Pennsylvania and conducting a government on New Testament principles. Pennsylvania granted religious freedo m and the right to worship as given in Penn's "Charter of Liberty" in 1701.

INNER LIGHT

The basic concept for understanding the Quaker belief is the idea of the Inner Light. George Fox refers to Light Within in his Journal as " ...Spirit and Grace by which all might know their salvation" "that Divine Spirit which would lead them into al l Truth." Friends believe that God is present in everyone, "Christ within." Light is in every man and that Light is Christ. The concept of the Light of God comes from the Gospel of John. John identifies the Light with the Word of God which was embodied i n Jesus Christ. The Light is the source of knowledge of good and evil and of all religious truth. The obedience to the Light is a source of salvation. The Divine Light is in every man of any religion and is universal. The Light within is not to be identif ied with conscience, which is human and fallible. The Light represents spiritual power which increases awareness of permanent values, instructs and transforms conscience and represents the most excellent ethical development ! that we are capable of. It is "God

THE WORSHIP

Meetings for worship in the Religious Society of Friends are held entirely without human direction or supervision. Most Quaker Meetings do not include ordained ministers. Congregation merely gathers in the place of worship for the direct communion with G od. Quakers believe that any man can spiritually enter into communion with God without any intermediaries. The teachings of George Fox held that all have immediate access to God, and therefore we are all ministers. Worship consists of a silent gathering. Congregation waits in silence for God's guidance. A worshiper who feels that he has been touched through the Inner Light may feel compelled to speak and is under a divine requirement to share. The periods of silence offer opportunity for reflection and meditation. They allow the soul, the spirituality in people to reach insight into deeper truths. A meeting represent united communion with God and transcends individual self. Friends believe that there is no relation with G! od which is not in practice a rela

THE SACRAMENTS

The Religious Society of friends deems that outward rites are unnecessary, and outward observance of the Eucharist and Baptism are ritualistic and superficial. Prayer is considered to be essential for a spiritual life of a man and represents exercise of the mind and spirit. The whole life should be lived as sacramental. Every person is by birth touched by the Divine Spirit. The faith is demonstrated by deeds not rituals. Quakers do not consider human soul to be depraved because of the original sin and be lieve in inherent goodness of human beings. The membership in congregation is granted by the Committee of Worship and Ministry. Membership is considered to be an outward sign of the inward experience of Christ and is not accompanied by any creed or ritua l. Marriage services are held in meeting and consist of simple exchange of vows in presence of the fellow worshipers. The Friends do not have any equivalent of authoritative creed, or religious sacraments, instead they have ! the testimon ies which are not doct

TESTIMONIES

Friends believe that one's life should be the outward testimony of one's Christian belief. Testimonies are Christian virtues and beliefs that need to be upheld and maintained in everyday life in order for a believer to maintain spiritual harmony. Equ ality is esteemed in every person, because every person has access to God and has the equal opportunity to experience divinity. Peace is the most basic testimony.

Friends are committed to non-violence in resolution of all conflicts. There are three forms of peace : inner peace, peace in interpersonal relations and its ultimate goal is God's kingdom of earth, and peace as maintenance of public order and security wh ich is enforced by the government. Integrity results from person's harmony with spirituality by living in accordance to his beliefs. Friends are also committed to simplicity which implies avoidance of any excess, sharing of resources and helping others. T he Church of Friends represents an attempt to return to the basic Christian values and "primitive Christianity" as a religion of love taught by Jesus as a way of life.

THE ATTITUDE TOWARDS SCRIPTURES

The members of the Church of Friends believe that the Holy Scriptures were given by the Holy Spirit of God to the holy men of God. Scriptures should be studied for "doctrine, reproof and correction and instruction in righteousness" (Tim. 3:16) Quakers be lieve that the Bible is should be studied as a whole, not just as isolated parts of but as a wholesome teaching. The Bible should be accepted in all its diversity, and no single stand should be selected as more true. The Bible consists of series of contro versies between differing religious views, and is often ambiguous. Quakers do not acknowledge any final authority to the Bible. They believe that there is a divine presence in everyone and this experience and communion with God had existed even before the Bible was written. Bible only bears witness to Christian faith. Old Testament was a source book for Jesus and the Apostles and it contains eternal truths, while New Testament contains revelation of God's nature and His Will! , and the te stimony of the teachin

THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH

There does not seem to be any hierarchy of authority in the Quaker Church. Their meetings are held is a room which does not resemble other Christian churches. There is no alter, no pulpit, no decorations or icons. There are no sermons, hymns, or prayers. Elders and overseeers are appointed to serve at each monthly meeting where major issues are discussed - like marriages, acceptance of new members, funerals. Overseeers assume responsibilities for the pastoral care of the congregation. The clerk is the chi ef administrative officer of the meetings. The sallest unit in a Church of friends is a Worship Group. The next is a monthly meeting which correspond to a parish and takes care of all spiritual and legal matters concerning its matters Quarterly meetings consist of the monthly meetings (congregations) of several monthly meetings and meet quarterly. The yearly meetings contain all the monthly meetings' delegates and is devoted to the examination of spiritual states of the meeting! s. There are 31 yearly meetings in

QUAKERS TODAY

There are about 103.000 members in North America and 300. 000 worldwide. The fastest growing congregation is in Africa, in Kenya, with 104.000 members. Because of the division within Church of Friends into mainly two branches, one that did not give suffi cient weight to the historical Jesus and an Orthodox, conservative group, Quakers were faced with the decline in membership. However through their belief in the moral resposibility of an individual, and their understanding of social responsibility they ma naged to make an impact on modern society. Mostly known for their pacifism they have fought for the abolition of slavery and fair treatment of Indians and have participated in the civil rights movement. What distinguishes Friends is their commitment to Go d and humanity. They worship God through serving the humanity. Their belief emphasizes that faith must be expressed in action and service. American Friends Service Committee, a renown humanitarian organization strives to provide relie! f, aid and e ducation to people in

NOTE

I am very grateful to Ms. Nancy Faust, the secretary of the Uwchalud Meeting in Downing Town for helping me better understand the Church of Friends and providing me with the information concerning Quaker meetings, Quaker faith and practice and also updat ing me on number of current followers worldwide. I have also found a brief preview by Mr. William J. Whalen most helpful.

MILICA J. STETS
March 28, 1996

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