THe society of friends
The Quakers, commonly referred to as, the Religious Society of Friends,
emerged in England during the mid-1600s. The Quakers along with the Puritans
evolved during a time of great turmoil. In hopes of escaping persecution the
Quakers formed their own colonies where they practiced their own beliefs and
traditions daily which quickly changed the face of religion.1 Although
the Quakers emerged during the same period as the Puritans, nevertheless, the
Quaker’s shared a far more liberal and spiritual approach to life giving
religion a whole new denotation and stirring up much Controversy in the
process.
The founding of the Religious Society of Friends is credited to a man by the name of Gorge Fox whose curiosity lead him around England in search of answers. George Fox was like many of his time who found themselves both interested yet puzzled by the inconsistency and hypocrisy brought about by Christianity. George saw how people were in essence not practicing what they preached.2 George did most of his traveling during the 17th century, where he conversed with many people. Among these people were priests and religious scholars. As his journey continued he began to see a pattern which would later on evolve into the essence of the Quaker’s philosophy regarding religion, life, and morality. George realized that despite these peoples great depth in knowledge they all lacked what he believed was most important when speaking of religious beliefs, a connection with God Himself. Unlike the puritans of the time the Quakers stood tall on the opposite side the religious spectrum believing the exact opposite of what most extremist of the time did.3
Serenity, simplicity, and acceptance are three words that embody the Quakers ideology alongside the thought that God was in all human beings.4 “This was a revolutionary attack on all discrimination by social class, wealth, race and gender and it had worrying implications for the social structure of his time.”2 This movement for change led to much turmoil for its followers. Four missionaries who arrived to the United States in the year 1656 were executed for bringing fourth such a liberal approach during a time of great religious persecution.4 These misfortunes continued for the Quaker as 6,000 of them were imprisoned between the years of 1662 and 1670. These incarcerations took a total of ten percent of the Quaker population at the time. Among these was George Fox himself who as one can imagine was imprisoned a total of 8 times. Most of these incarcerations took place during times of worship which had been banned most especially from public view. 2
When speaking of organized services Quakers believed it to be unnecessary or saw it as a barrier between God and the individual. They focused instead on something they referred to as the “inner light” this meant that through worship and silence one could connect personally with God himself on a more personal level. Their aim was to improve the quality of life by bringing fourth acceptance, something rarely seen in England and in much of the world during the 16th and 17th century.3 The Quakers were the first religion to openly speak of sexuality something which was never spoken within the churches.2 They were accepting of all sexual orientations, race, and even beliefs. The Quakers were never quick to dismiss any though or idea that opposed their own. This open mind and heart ideology was brought about by silence, a form of prayer and worship. The Quakers time for worship consisted of an hour of pure silence, with an occasional word or two by a member. All thoughts and ideas were openly accepted within the congregation as the word of God, through his people. This practice of silence and worship was thought to open a pathway between God and the individual. Quakerism did not participate in Eucharist or anything they believed would interfere with the direct relationship with God. Their creed for morality was nothing set in stone but rather something that streamed from ones own conscience. Churches were infuriated by these views and their rejection of the literal meanings behind the bible and the ways God intended.2 Persecutions continued to haunt the Quakers despite their rapid growth. By the late 1600s AND early 1700s they had spread and established themselves widely throughout Britain and North America. Despite their growth numerous of persecutions continued mainly all over Britain up until 1689. 4
Despite their tyrannies, the Quakers stayed true to their belief that everyone has a piece of God within them. They were extremely against harming any human being, and for this reason rarely fought back.3 In all Quakers lived up to their name being the Society of Friends because they embodied the true essence of the word ‘friend.’ The Quakers prospered and with time became widely accepted. Even today people hold annual meetings of worship that are mostly held in peoples own homes. There are little to no similarities when comparing Quakerism to any other religion during this due to its liberal practices which were looked down upon and unheard of at the time of its discovery.
Notes
1. QICadmin, . Quaker Information Center , "A Gateway to Quakerism ." Last modified May 26,2005. Accessed February 20, 2014 http://www.quakerinfo.org/quakerism
2. BBC, "Religions ." Last modified July 03, 2009. Accessed February 20, 2014.http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/subdivisions/quakers_1.shtml.
3. Peter Baston , "Quality & Quakerism ," Friends Journal (2013), http://www.friendsjournal.org/quality-quakerism/ (accessed February 24, 2014).6,7
4. Northern Yearly Meeting , "A Brief History of Quakerism: APPROVED." Last modified July 04, 2005. Accessed February 20, 2014. http://www.northernyearlymeeting.org/article/abrief-history-of-quakerism/.8
Bibliography:
Baston , Peter. "Quality & Quakerism ." Friends Journal . (2013). http://www.friendsjournal.org/quality-quakerism/ (accessed February 24, 2014).
BBC, "Religions ." Last modified July 03, 2009. Accessed February 20, 2014. http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/subdivisions/quakers_1.shtml.
Northern Yearly Meeting , "A Brief History of Quakerism: APPROVED." Last modified July 04, 2005. Accessed February 20, 2014. http://www.northernyearlymeeting.org/article/a brief-history-of-quakerism/.
QICadmin, . Quaker Information Center , "A Gateway to Quakerism ." Last modified May 26, 2005. Accessed February 20, 2014. http://www.quakerinfo.org/quakerism/faithandpractice.
The founding of the Religious Society of Friends is credited to a man by the name of Gorge Fox whose curiosity lead him around England in search of answers. George Fox was like many of his time who found themselves both interested yet puzzled by the inconsistency and hypocrisy brought about by Christianity. George saw how people were in essence not practicing what they preached.2 George did most of his traveling during the 17th century, where he conversed with many people. Among these people were priests and religious scholars. As his journey continued he began to see a pattern which would later on evolve into the essence of the Quaker’s philosophy regarding religion, life, and morality. George realized that despite these peoples great depth in knowledge they all lacked what he believed was most important when speaking of religious beliefs, a connection with God Himself. Unlike the puritans of the time the Quakers stood tall on the opposite side the religious spectrum believing the exact opposite of what most extremist of the time did.3
Serenity, simplicity, and acceptance are three words that embody the Quakers ideology alongside the thought that God was in all human beings.4 “This was a revolutionary attack on all discrimination by social class, wealth, race and gender and it had worrying implications for the social structure of his time.”2 This movement for change led to much turmoil for its followers. Four missionaries who arrived to the United States in the year 1656 were executed for bringing fourth such a liberal approach during a time of great religious persecution.4 These misfortunes continued for the Quaker as 6,000 of them were imprisoned between the years of 1662 and 1670. These incarcerations took a total of ten percent of the Quaker population at the time. Among these was George Fox himself who as one can imagine was imprisoned a total of 8 times. Most of these incarcerations took place during times of worship which had been banned most especially from public view. 2
When speaking of organized services Quakers believed it to be unnecessary or saw it as a barrier between God and the individual. They focused instead on something they referred to as the “inner light” this meant that through worship and silence one could connect personally with God himself on a more personal level. Their aim was to improve the quality of life by bringing fourth acceptance, something rarely seen in England and in much of the world during the 16th and 17th century.3 The Quakers were the first religion to openly speak of sexuality something which was never spoken within the churches.2 They were accepting of all sexual orientations, race, and even beliefs. The Quakers were never quick to dismiss any though or idea that opposed their own. This open mind and heart ideology was brought about by silence, a form of prayer and worship. The Quakers time for worship consisted of an hour of pure silence, with an occasional word or two by a member. All thoughts and ideas were openly accepted within the congregation as the word of God, through his people. This practice of silence and worship was thought to open a pathway between God and the individual. Quakerism did not participate in Eucharist or anything they believed would interfere with the direct relationship with God. Their creed for morality was nothing set in stone but rather something that streamed from ones own conscience. Churches were infuriated by these views and their rejection of the literal meanings behind the bible and the ways God intended.2 Persecutions continued to haunt the Quakers despite their rapid growth. By the late 1600s AND early 1700s they had spread and established themselves widely throughout Britain and North America. Despite their growth numerous of persecutions continued mainly all over Britain up until 1689. 4
Despite their tyrannies, the Quakers stayed true to their belief that everyone has a piece of God within them. They were extremely against harming any human being, and for this reason rarely fought back.3 In all Quakers lived up to their name being the Society of Friends because they embodied the true essence of the word ‘friend.’ The Quakers prospered and with time became widely accepted. Even today people hold annual meetings of worship that are mostly held in peoples own homes. There are little to no similarities when comparing Quakerism to any other religion during this due to its liberal practices which were looked down upon and unheard of at the time of its discovery.
Notes
1. QICadmin, . Quaker Information Center , "A Gateway to Quakerism ." Last modified May 26,2005. Accessed February 20, 2014 http://www.quakerinfo.org/quakerism
2. BBC, "Religions ." Last modified July 03, 2009. Accessed February 20, 2014.http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/subdivisions/quakers_1.shtml.
3. Peter Baston , "Quality & Quakerism ," Friends Journal (2013), http://www.friendsjournal.org/quality-quakerism/ (accessed February 24, 2014).6,7
4. Northern Yearly Meeting , "A Brief History of Quakerism: APPROVED." Last modified July 04, 2005. Accessed February 20, 2014. http://www.northernyearlymeeting.org/article/abrief-history-of-quakerism/.8
Bibliography:
Baston , Peter. "Quality & Quakerism ." Friends Journal . (2013). http://www.friendsjournal.org/quality-quakerism/ (accessed February 24, 2014).
BBC, "Religions ." Last modified July 03, 2009. Accessed February 20, 2014. http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/subdivisions/quakers_1.shtml.
Northern Yearly Meeting , "A Brief History of Quakerism: APPROVED." Last modified July 04, 2005. Accessed February 20, 2014. http://www.northernyearlymeeting.org/article/a brief-history-of-quakerism/.
QICadmin, . Quaker Information Center , "A Gateway to Quakerism ." Last modified May 26, 2005. Accessed February 20, 2014. http://www.quakerinfo.org/quakerism/faithandpractice.