An Introduction to The Quakers
An Overview of Quakerism (or the Religious Society of Friends, as they are formally known)
The world population of Quakers (or Friends) is estimated at 350,000. There are about 100,000 Quakers in the U.S. Kenya has the largest Quaker population in the world, with about 130,000 Friends. The Religious Society of Friends is a name used by a range of independent religious organizations which all trace their origins to a Christian movement founded by George Fox in mid-17th century England and Wales. A central belief is that ordinary people can have a direct experience of the eternal Christ. Some branches of the Religious Society of Friends are known to the public by testifying to their religious beliefs in their actions and the way they live their lives. Such testimony varies according to how different individuals are led and events in the wider world at the time; however, well-known examples at different points in history include refusing to participate in war; social action aimed at promoting social justice and equality (including participating in the anti-slavery movement in North America during the mid 18th Century and the women's rights movement); wearing particular, simple, clothing (plain dress); using the same form of address to refer to everyone (e.g. using thee and thou to talk to anyone and not using titles such as Mr., Mrs., etc.); and, because one should always respect the truth, refusing to swear oaths. The Religious Society of Friends has been categorized as one of the peace churches, alongside the Church of the Brethren, Mennonites and Amish, because all of these churches place an emphasis on Christian pacifism. These churches also share other similarities in terms of theology including a literal interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount, an emphasis on simplicity in speech and dress, and a lack of creedal statements.
Quaker Views on Scripture
Although Quakers look to the Christian Bible for inspiration, early Friends rejected the mainstream Protestant idea that the Bible is God's written word and therefore self-authenticating; instead, they believed that Christ, instead of the Bible, is the Word of God. Early Friends believed that Christ would never lead them in ways that contradicted the Bible; this belief prevented conflicts between Friends' leadings and their understanding of the Bible. However, as time passed, conflicts began to arise between what the Bible appeared to teach and the way many Friends believed they were being led by the Spirit. Some Friends decided that the Bible should be authoritative in these cases. Other Friends, partly under the influence of movements such as liberal Protestantism, decided that it was possible to be truly led in ways contrary to Scripture, and that in such cases Scripture should give way. Still other Friends rejected (or neglected) the Bible altogether; hence in many liberal Friends meetings one might encounter non-Christian Friends or those who question some or all of the traditional doctrines of Christianity. In nearly all cases, modern Friends believe in the necessity of being continually guided by God. Divine revelation is therefore not restricted to the Bible, but rather continues even today; this doctrine is known as continuing revelation.
Quaker Testimonies
Based on a firm belief that "there is that of God in every person," (frequently expanded to include "every living thing"), a common set of practices emerged. These are called "testimonies," because Friends believe these principles and practices should be expressed (testified to as truth) among Friends as well as to others, in both words and deeds. Quakers try to bear witness or testify to their beliefs in their everyday life—an expression of "spirituality in action." The forms in which they testify are often known as Quaker testimonies or Friends' testimonies. These comprise not a formal, static set of words, but rather a shared view or attitude of the ways in which many Quakers relate to God and the world. This leads to each Quaker having a personal understanding of what the testimonies are and, while the ideologies remain quite similar for all Quakers, the testimonies go by different names and are included throughout the Religious Society of Friends. The Testimonies are interrelated and can be seen as a coherent philosophical system, even outside Christian theology. The testimonies have not always been consistent, but throughout their history they have challenged Friends and provided them with guidance. The list of testimonies is, like all aspects of Friends theology, continuously evolving — so as to be relevant to today, but the following are common: Peace, Equality, Integrity, and Simplicity. Some Friends also include other testimonies, such as Unity, Community, Compassion, Justice, Truth, Stewardship, Sustainability, and the testimony against times and seasons. In recent years the environment has come to be regarded as an emerging concern, one that stems from the testimonies of Stewardship and Sustainability.
Worship
Friends treat all functions of the church as a form of worship. In addition to regular Meeting for Worship, these include business, marriage, and memorial services. Business sessions, for example, are considered “Meetings for Worship at which business is conducted.” Because each person’s contribution is valued, voting is not used. After discussion of the decision to be made, the Clerk of the Meeting forms a minute that expresses “sense of the Meeting.” If a member has reason to feel uncomfortable with the minute, discussion will continue until there is unity. Most groups of Quakers gather for regular worship. In some traditions, this is called Meeting for Worship and in others it is a Friends Church service. The two main forms of Quaker worship are often referred to as “programmed” and “un-programmed.” In yearly meetings in Europe, Asia, southern Africa, Oceania and parts of the U.S., worship is usually un-programmed. Un-programmed meetings are based in silence. From a “gathered silence,” those who feel “moved to speak” can “minister” for as long as they feel is right. There is usually space to reflect between spoken contributions. The meetings normally last for one hour, but last longer if the Spirit so leads. There is no stated topic or appointed leader in such a service. Quakers who worship in this tradition, believe that each person is equal before God and is capable of knowing "the light" and directly receiving inspiration. In many yearly meetings in Africa, Asia and parts of the U.S., worship is programmed. Here there is often a prepared message which may be delivered by an individual with theological training. There may be hymns, a sermon, Bible readings and prayers, and a period of silent worship. There is often a paid pastor responsible for pastoral care of the members of the local church. In addition to these, some Quakers worldwide are evangelical, and may have grown apart from un-programmed worship.
Calendar and Holy Days
The Friends "plain calendar," sometimes called the "scriptural calendar," uses numbers to denominate the names of the months and days of the week. The plain calendar does not use names of calendar units derived from the traditional names due to their derivation from pagan deities. Instead, it uses ancient terminology as found in the bible where the days of the week were numbered; for example, Jesus' followers went to the tomb early on the First Day of the week. From this, the plain calendar week begins with First Day (equivalent to the traditional Christian Sunday) and ends on Seventh Day (Saturday). Similarly the calendar's months run concurrently with the traditional months albeit named First Month, Second Month, etc. Friends have also eschewed the traditional church calendar of holy days, not observing religious festivals such as Christmas or Easter, but instead believing that Christ’s birth, and resurrection should be commemorated every day of the year. Friends hold that “every day is the Lord’s Day,” and that what should be done on a First Day should be done every day of the week. Meeting for Worship is often held on First Day as a matter of convenience.