The Religious Society of Friends, also known as Quakers, originated in mid-17th-century Northern England as a Christian movement.

Quakers reject creeds, clergy, and abstract theology, prioritizing direct experience of the divine, termed the "Light," over formal beliefs or intermediaries.

Lacking a central authority, Quakers organize through regional weekly meetings and make decisions via communal discernment.

Their unprogrammed, silent meetings emphasize simplicity and spiritual depth, with spontaneous speech or readings from those inspired.

Numbering around 400,000 globally, mostly in English-speaking regions, Quakers vary widely in their practices and beliefs.

Historically, despite their size, Friends have influenced social causes—abolition, women’s rights, religious tolerance, workers’ rights, poverty relief, prison reform, and peace—rooted in equality and compassion.

Quakerism today merges contemplation with active social engagement.

• Quaker History

• Religious Society of Friends (Wikipedia)

Quakerism originated as a Christian movement, and while most Quakers today identify as Christians, not all do.

Resistant to formal theology, common Quaker Christian views include:

The divine is experienced, not defined, and is often seen as the life-giving source and ground of being by unprogrammed Quakers.

Jesus embodies divine wisdom and transformative love through his life and teachings, not a transactional human sacrifice to appease a wrathful God.

Quakers reject original sin and violent atonement, finding wholeness in communion with God and divine values.

They view the Bible as a human-written collection of wisdom and narratives, central to Christianity and Western culture but not inerrant or divinely authored.

Quakers focus on present needs rather than speculation about the afterlife.

Embracing science and learning, they view spirituality as a pursuit of meaning and wisdom.

Rooted in early Christian practice, Quaker spirituality retains a counter-cultural stance.

• Quaker Practice

• Quaker Christianity

• Liberal Quakerism

Quaker spirituality is centered on simplicity and silence, creating space to hear the divine voice woven into the fabric of the world.

Silent, unprogrammed or loosely structured contemplative worship, is at the heart of this practice.

This silence is not empty but a sacred arena where the divine speaks through those inspired to speak, and by the still, small voice within.

The Quaker testimonies—simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship—emerge organically from this spiritual root.

Leadings often inspire Friends to act on these testimonies, often with a sense of way opening a process of gradual, tested discernment rather than forced outcomes.

Quaker discernment is both personal and collective, a dynamic interplay of listening, reflection, and patience.

• 9 Core Quaker Beliefs

• Overview of Quaker Spirituality

Integrity calls Quakers to align actions with beliefs, ensuring honesty and moral consistency.

Truth, closely tied, emphasizes speaking authentically and seeking divine guidance through discernment, trusting the "Inner Light" to reveal clarity. This commitment to truth fuels transparency in personal and communal life.

Equality reflects the belief that all carry the divine spark, dismantling hierarchies. Quakers historically championed gender equity, abolition, and civil rights, viewing all as equal before God. This value drives inclusive decision-making and advocacy for marginalized groups, fostering justice and respect.

Simplicity prioritizes spiritual over material wealth, encouraging uncluttered lives free from excess. It promotes sustainable choices and focuses on meaningful relationships and purpose, extending to worship, where silent, unadorned gatherings center divine connection.

Peace, a cornerstone, commits Quakers to nonviolence and conflict resolution. Rooted in Jesus’ teachings, the peace testimony inspires opposition to war and systemic violence, from historical conscientious objection to modern peace building. Quakers engage in activism, humanitarian aid, and dialogue to address root causes of injustice.

These values—integrity, truth, equality, simplicity, and peace—interweave, guiding Quakers’ personal conduct and collective action.