The Religious Society of Friends, also known as Quakers, originated in 17th-century England with George Fox’s belief that God was accessible to all without the need for a mediator. Quakers reject Calvinism and do not bear arms, and their worship is simple and involves waiting for the Spirit of God to speak. The movement has split into several smaller groups, each with its own approach to Quakerism. Despite their small numbers, Quakers have contributed to human rights and social reform worldwide.
Within the family of Christian movements, the Religious Society of Friends is an example of a group of people who chose to take the path less traveled when it came to matters of faith and social action. Often referred to as Quakers, the friends are found in many countries around the world and are indeed enjoying establishing new congregations or local gatherings in the United States. Here’s some background on the Religious Society of Friends and the current state of Quakerism today.
Founded in 17th-century England, the Religious Society of Friends grew out of the faith experiences of George Fox. Dissatisfied with the traditions of the Christian faith at the time, Fox chose to join none of them and turned to the canon of scripture used by Protestant Christianity for inspiration. Outside of his studies, Fox had various religious experiences which led him to proclaim that God was immediately accessible to all mankind, without the need for any ecclesiastical mediator. This was possible, according to Fox, because there was “God’s” in everyone and the Holy Spirit could touch and communicate with that divine spark in every person, provided the individual was willing to put worldly concerns aside and open up to the presence of God.
As Fox proclaimed his new understandings, others responded and the movement began to come together. Originally referred to as the Seekers of Truth, this new group of Christians began calling themselves Friends, due to a passage in the New Testament that recorded Jesus as referring to those who followed his teachings as his friends. While many joined the new movement, Fox also angered many in the religious establishment. The result was that a number of adherents were imprisoned and some put to death. As religious tolerance grew in Britain, the Religious Society of Friends began to form a basic system of worship and the conduct of business which is still used by many Friends today.
The origin of the nickname “Quaker” is usually attributed to two different scenarios. In the former, Quaker was a term of derision referring to the way many believers appeared to tremble with emotion when meeting friends for worship. Another case involves a judge telling Fox that he will soon tremble before the law, with Fox replying that he will tremble before no man, only God.
Quaker teachings regarding the nature of God and scriptural canon were generally in line with mainstream Christianity. Several beliefs have made them unique, however. The Inner Light refers to the divine spark in all people and tended to lead the Friends to reject the concepts of depravity espoused by Calvinism. The Quakers’ Testimony of Peace established the long-standing belief not to bear arms and urges the Friends not to wage war on anyone, although the Testimony of Peace does not prevent the Friends from serving in wartime medical units. Friends traditionally are less likely to be literal in their understanding of scriptures, although there is a portion of the Religious Society of Friends that places a great deal of emphasis on the use of scriptures.
Traditional worship among friends was and still is simple and can take place in virtually any setting. Friends gathered in worship that did not involve a designated minister or speaker and did not include hymns or pre-arranged spoken prayers. The atmosphere of the service was one of waiting on hold, where everyone would settle into a state of silence waiting for the Spirit of God to speak to the group through one of the people present. The worship meeting would end when a Friend sensed it was time and would signify joining hands with the person sitting next to him. This way, all the people slowly joined together and the meeting would officially end.
The Quaker balance between listening to the Inner Light for instruction and relying on the written word of scripture has always been difficult to maintain. In the early 19th century, Quakers who held the Inner Light as the final authority and those who believed scripture was necessary to control individual and congregational spiritual leaders went their separate ways.
Another split later in the century further divided the Scriptorians into two groups, with one of the groups becoming more evangelical in its interpretation of Quaker and adopting the use of full-time pastors and modifying worship to more closely resemble a typical Protestant service. Still later in the 20th century, this group of evangelicals split again, with one group holding a more moderate doctrinal stance and the second leaning further into evangelical thought and practice.
The Religious Society of Friends today has several smaller groups within this framework. The General Conference of Friends represents Friends who tend toward a more liberal religious understanding and who practice traditional Quaker worship. Friends United Meeting (FUM) uses a style of worship that usually includes a period of silent meeting and the remainder appropriated by a sermon and vocal music. FUM has extensive missionary activity in Africa, where most of its members are located.
Evangelical Friends International (EFI) affirms traditional Quaker understandings, but with a clear emphasis on scripture. EFI Quakerism is currently expanding to South American countries. Conservative Friends try to maintain a balance between the Inner Light and the scriptures, and also have those among them who still practice simple words and dress. British Quaker today continues primarily in traditional silent worship, with the doctrinal approach similar to the General Conference of Friends. In the United States, there are a number of independent Quaker reunions, who work with other friends in the common cause, but choose not to join any particular friends’ organization.
As a movement, the Religious Society of Friends has contributed to human rights and social reform far beyond its approximately 350,000 members. Prison reform, peace initiatives, and community planning are just three of the areas where Friends has contributed to the well-being of the world at large. While their numbers may be relatively small, the Religious Society of Friends continues to make a difference in many lives and in many places.
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