A Christian denomination known for its silent worship, pacifism, and social activism.
Religion: Christianity
Founded: 17th century
Location: Global (with significant historical presence in the United Kingdom and United States)
Other Names: Religious Society of Friends
The Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as Quakers, is a Christian group that emerged in mid-17th-century England. Founded by George Fox, this movement originated as a response to the dissatisfaction with the established English Church’s inability to foster a direct, personal experience of Christ within believers. Quakers believe in the ability of each individual to directly experience the divine, referred to as the “Inner Light” or “that of God in everyone,” without the need for creeds, clergy, or other ecclesiastical forms.
Central to Quaker belief is the concept of “continued revelation,” which holds that divine revelation is ongoing and not confined to historical scripture. Therefore, Friends (as Quakers are also known) value silent worship in meeting for worship, where they listen for guidance from the Holy Spirit, reflecting their broader theological emphasis on a direct, personal relationship with God, eschewing formal sacraments and rituals.
From its inception, Quakerism has been notable for its radical views, particularly regarding social issues. Quakers have historically advocated for gender equality, with women allowed to speak out during worship as equals to men. They are known for their commitment to pacifism, refusing to take legal oaths based on their interpretation of the Bible, and have suffered persecution for their beliefs. By the 1660s, thousands of Quakers had experienced severe persecution in the British Isles and the colonies, including imprisonment and torture, but it did not deter the spread of the movement.
The Quaker movement also played a significant role in colonial America. Quaker missionaries, including Elizabeth Harris, arrived in the mid-1650s, and faced persecution in Puritan-dominated Massachusetts. William Penn, a prominent Quaker, established Pennsylvania in the late 17th century as a sanctuary for religious freedom, which attracted thousands of Friends. Quakers have been influential in various human rights causes, including abolitionism, Native American rights, and women’s suffrage, and notable historical figures such as Herbert Hoover and Richard M. Nixon have also been Quakers.
Today, the global Quaker community includes approximately 400,000 members, and also includes a significant presence in Africa. Quaker worship varies between “programmed” services with pastors and “unprogrammed” meetings, which are silent. While most Quakers consider themselves Christian, the movement encompasses a range of theological perspectives, underscoring its foundational principle of personal revelation and relationship with the divine.
image via Learn Religions
