Led by Spirit: This Society Will Make You "(Qu)ake" for Their Friendship and Truth!

"I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father." [John 15:14]

They are known as the "Society of Friends" or simply "Quakers." I'm sure that when, like me, you learn the truth about this group of "friends," you may yearn for the straightforwardness of their ways and teachings.


The name "Quakers" comes from a 17th Century court case, where George Fox , one of the early founders, is said to have told the Judge (Bennet) and others to "tremble at the word of God." Long gone is that image. Today with these "friends," no one need tremble at this group's practices and the rights to freedom they support.


From rights of slaves and prisoners to gay rights and women's rights, "The Society of Friends" has fought for the freedom of groups far and large in their public life.

"I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts....They shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest ...
I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more."
Jeremiah 31:33-34 & Hebrews 8:10-12

I was wowed by the easygoing nature and loving spirit of this religious body. Perhaps that's because my image of Quakerism had always been that of the Pennsylvania Dutch who wear traditional garbs from days gone by. Now I'm beginning to know that even if Quakers did wear those outfits, it must have just been a camouflage for not attracting too many of the "wrong friends."

The truth is that the Quakers are often confused with the *Amish Mennonites, as they both co-exist and were established in Pennsylania. Even if the garbs were worn by Quakers, they belied the profundity of this group of spiritual seekers.

Who They Are
Quakerism was founded in England, principally by non-conformists to the heavy form of Puritanism there. Quakers believe that humans are led by the spirit of God within them. And in the early days of the Quakers formation, they were known as "Children of Light" or "Friends of Truth," among many others, like "saints," that the group assumed to try to reflect their truth. Finally, in 1827 the name "Religious Society of Friends" became official and still is used today, though "Quaker" is often placed in parentheses.

"The Religious Society of Friends" holds a "belief in the possibility of direct, unmediated communion with the Divine" and hold a "commitment to living lives that outwardly attest to this inward experience." But there is no consensus in the overall style of how these two core principles are applied, thus leading many to believe that the Quakers have no beliefs and that "anything goes" in Quakerism.


This is a fallacy, according to the official "Friends" Website:
"Most Quakers take the absence of a creed as an invitation and encouragement to exercise an extra measure of personal responsibility for the understanding and articulation of Quaker faith. Rather than rely on priests or professional theologians, each believer is encouraged to take seriously the personal disciplines associated with spiritual growth. Out of lives of reflection, prayer, faithfulness, and service flow the statements of belief, both in word and in deed."


Varying Factions

People trying to discern Quaker practices often are challenged by several separations, begun in the early days, in the "Religious Society of Friends" that still are reflected today. There is no one standard for conducting and establishing "Yearly Meetings," the name given to the different national and regional organizations that follow Quaker teachings and practices.

According to 2002 figures, there are about 338,000 people in 60 countries who subscribe to Quaker teachings and beliefs. Thus, the practices obviously differ in culture, national allegiance and language. In the United States, there are four features that clearly distinguish one type of Friend group from others. These range from the manner of worship to affliating with various groups.


.Worship. This can be unprogrammed, which is silent worship without formal clergy or "programmed" or "pastoral" worship guided by a pastor; there may or may not be a period of silence.

.Theological Emphasis. There can be the strongest emphasis on the authority of Christian scripture vs. "liberal," which places the strongest emphasis on the "Inward Light."

.Evangelism. Some groups may focus solely on evangelistic activities. In these organizations, missionary or evangelical work is undertaken and social service work as well.

.Affiliating Organizations. There are three principal bodies through which "Friends" in North America are affiliated: Friends General Conference, Friends United Meeting, and Evangelical Friends Church International. Even there, some "Friends" make a choice to are affiliate with more than one or with none at all.


Quakerism in Practice: Testimonies


Since Friends believe that each person contains God, much of the Quaker perspective is based on trying to hear God and to allow God's Spirit free action in the heart. Isaac Penington wrote in 1670:

"It is not enough to hear of Christ, or read of Christ, but this is the thing — to feel him my root, my life, my foundation..."


The Bible is not taken as literal truth but is seen by "Friends" as subject to man's interpretations. They believe that [the] "Christ," instead of the Bible, is the Word of God. For this reason, Quakers try to bear witness or testify to their beliefs in their every day life - an expression of "spirituality in action." The ways in which they testify are often known as "Quaker testimonies" or "Friends' testimonies."



When Friends testify to God's activity in their daily lives, testimonies fall into the following areas: Unity, Community, Compassion, Justice, Truth, Stewardship, Sustainability, and the testimony against time and season. Specifically in the United States, Children and Friends school students are often taught the acronym SPICES: Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality and Stewardship

In the United Kingdom, the acronym STEP is used, or more affectionately, PEST: Peace, Equality, Simplicity and Truth, often equated with Integrity. In recent years the environment has also come to be regarded by some in the UK as an "emerging testimony," one that is respected and valued.

Mysticism
Quaker mysticism is primarily group-oriented, rather than focused on the individual. The Friends' traditional meeting for worship may be considered an expression of that group mysticism, where all the members of the meeting listen together for the Spirit of God, speaking when that Spirit moves them.


The forms can vary and take shape however they unfold in the group and individual. The only unity seems to be that they are not consistent and over the years, they have challenged "Friends," yet provided guidance for them.

Practices

To "Friends," every day should be seen as a celebration of life, so days like Christmas and Easter and times such as the Lenten Season are not held any more sacred than each day we are allowed to live and breathe.

Since"Quakers" believe that life and the living of life is sacred in and of itself, there is not much emphasis placed on the traditional sacraments and rites by other religious bodies.




There are no formal baptisms, christenings or rites for marriages. Even memorials are conducted as a part of a regular meeting.


Children born to Quaker parents do not automatically become part of the "Religious Society of Friends." Rather, the children are allowed to choose when they are old enough, or as an adult, whether they want to join a Yearly Meeting.

Meetings: Certainly like No Others!


A marriage conducted in a "Friends" meeting is similar to any other "unprogrammed" Meeting for Worship. The couple marry each other in front of witnesses, and after they exchange vows, the meeting returns to open worship. At the end of meeting, all the witnesses, including the youngest children in attendance, are asked to sign the wedding certificate. Quakers have their own registrars for marriages.

Memorial services for Quakers are also held as a form of worship and are known as memorial meetings. Because Friends believe that the spirit is more important than the body, the coffin or ashes of the deceased are not present; burial takes place at a separate time. At memorials, Friends gather for worship and offer remembrances about the person who has died. Memorial meetings can last over an hour, particularly if there are a large number of people in attendance, thus giving everyone a chance to remember the deceased in their own way.


Meetings on business matters are held on a local level once a month. Here again, a business meeting is conducted in the forum of worship. Instead of voting, the Meeting attempts to discern God's will. Members listen God within themselves and, if led, contribute their insights to the group for reflection and consideration. A decision is made when the members feel that the "way forward" has been discerned or there is a consensus.

Quaker Position on Education

Quakers have an appreciation for education, having founded many schools and colleges around the world. Yet Quakers are cautioned against honoring humans instead of God and using education as a substitute for a personal relationship with God.

Two well-known Friends' institutions support education: Friends Council on Education (FCE)and Friends Association for Higher Education (FAHE) . The former supports primary through secondary levels of education, and the latter supports Friends post-secondary institutions.

Not without Conflict


Establishing a religion such as the "Religious Society of Friends" certainly did not come without conflict. In the Massachusetts Bay colony, Friends were banished on pain of death. Mary Dyer is one famous Quaker who was hanged on Boston Common for returning to preach her beliefs, but so were many others. In England, Friends were effectively banned from sitting in Parliament at Westminster from 1698-1833.


The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was founded by William Penn, as a safe place for "Friends" to live and practice their faith. One of the most radical beliefs he introduced there was religious freedom for everyone, as well as fair dealings with Native Americans. "Quakers" in Pennsylvania also opposed slavery.


Wow! what a revolutionary idea!

Despite persecution and other forms of harrassment, the "Religious Society of Friends" grew steadily in the United States and around the world.

Thank Goodness!

For truly, the world needs more "Friends" like these!

Namaste',

Che'
NOTE: Go to the official Quaker Website for more information: http://www.quakerinfo.org. *In December, we'll take a look at the Amish Mennonites.

OTHER NOTES: A recent shooting at an army base in Fort Hood, Texas, has Muslims across the country "quaking in their boots," because the shooter "has a Muslim last name." Many are fearful that they will be targets of a backlash from angry fellow Americans. Why are we constantly being judged by the color of our skin...and anything that marks us "different" from each other? Is a last name indicative of a person's Soul? No less than the United States government recently had to pay out millions in four separate lawsuits brought by Pakani and other Muslim and Arab nationals, because of the actions it took, detaining these individuals for several months and, some, more than a year, immediately following the September 11 attacks. Today, and every day, know this: you are an individual on your own path and here for your own divine purpose; even those who share the same DNA, the same last names, the same history, the same religion, the same...are on their own paths as well. "Yet, family all are we!"