Introduction to Quakerism

Introduction to Quakerism

Laura Rediehs, Notes from Presentation on August 31, 2011

History

England, time of much political and religious turmoil and strife. Politically: Cromwell’s revolution, and then the restoration of the monarchy. Religiously: a lot of people seeking; because of turmoil some thought the coming of the millennium. Some of the religious dissenting movements were caught up in the political drama of the day.

In the midst of this: George Fox, a young man, on his own quest to understand the chaos he saw around him, engaged in religious discussions with people, was greatly disillusioned by much of what he saw, and then had a series of powerful religious experiences/insights, especially this one:

As I had forsaken the priests, so I left the separate preachers also, and those esteemed the most experienced people; for I saw there was none among them all that could speak to my condition. And when all my hopes in them and in all men were gone, so that I had nothing outwardly to help me, nor could tell what to do, then, oh, then, I heard a voice which said, "There is one, even Christ Jesus, that can speak to thy condition"; and when I heard it my heart did leap for joy. Then the Lord let me see why there was none upon the earth that could speak to my condition, namely, that I might give Him all the glory; for all are concluded under sin, and shut up in unbelief as I had been, that Jesus Christ might have the pre-eminence who enlightens, and gives grace, and faith, and power. Thus when God doth work, who shall let (i.e. prevent) it? And this I knew experimentally. (1647)

Central principle: The Light Within

In 1652, he climbed Pendle Hill in England, and had a great vision of a people to be gathered. This is considered the beginning of Quakerism.

He began to preach this message. He was not trying to start a new movement: just share what he had come to regard as the essence of spiritual faith. But he attracted followers.

A movement did start. The group first called themselves Children of the Light, and Friends of Truth. They faced persecution, and were disparagingly called “Quakers.” They adopted this name informally, but the formal name was to become The Religious Society of Friends, and one of the other early leaders, Margaret Fell (who was later to marry Fox after her first husband died) gave it an organizational structure that endures to this day.

Early on, they also explicitly adopted a stance of pacifism, for two reasons:

1. The dissenting groups were heavily persecuted in part because some were involved in the political turmoil and thus were seen as threats to the powers of the day. So, in 1661, proclaimed the following statement, which we call “the peace testimony”:
   • Full text is entitled: A DECLARATION FROM THE HARMLESS AND INNOCENT PEOPLE OF GOD, CALLED QUAKERS, AGAINST ALL SEDITION, PLOTTERS, AND FIGHTERS IN THE WORLD: FOR REMOVING THE GROUND OF JEALOUSY AND SUSPICION FROM MAGISTRATES AND PEOPLE CONCERNING WARS AND FIGHTINGS, by George Fox and others, Presented to the King [Charles II] upon the 21st day of the llth Month, 1660.
   • "We utterly deny all outward wars and strife, and fightings with outward weapons, for any end, or under any pretense whatever; this is our testimony to the whole world. The Spirit of Christ by which we are guided is not changeable, so as once to command us from a thing as evil, and again to move unto it; and we certainly know, and testify to the world, that the Spirit of Christ, which leads us into all truth, will never move us to fight and war against any man with outward weapons, neither for the kingdom of Christ, nor for the kingdoms of this world."
2. Secondly, they interpreted Christianity as essentially pacifistic. In fact, it had been in the early days (and Quakers saw themselves as reviving this early form of Christianity). And Jesus never engaged in nor advocated violence. Rather, he replaced “an eye for an eye” with “turn the other cheek.”

They maintained their commitment to nonviolence even through the intense persecution they faced. They were beaten up, imprisoned, even killed. But note that this pacifism was not passive – it was active. They were actively standing up for what they believed in spite of the persecution. They treated their attackers with unfailing respect, and frequently those attackers would themselves become converted as a result!

Another early Quaker, William Penn, founded Pennsylvania on Quaker principles, and since Philadelphia was at the center of the formation of the United States, many Quakerly principles informed the ideals that shaped the founding of this country: principles such as religious toleration, equality, etc.

Key things to know about Quakerism:

• Inner Light is central (not religious authorities, tradition, or the Bible). Central principle of “that of God” within everyone.
  • Source of inner wisdom, strength.
  • Living true to this makes you a better person. Early Friends believed you could return to that state of perfection “before the fall.”
  • We must respond to that of God in others, which means:
    • Cannot do violence to them, because doing so is to do violence to God.
    • On the other hand, “responding to that of God” in others means not indulging their lesser selves! It is to live in relationships that keep calling on the best of each other – true friendship is like this, hence the name, “Religious Society of Friends.”
• While the principle of that of God within everyone is a respect for individuality, Quakers also emphasize community:
  • For mutual support,
  • And for accountability.
  • It is common for those facing difficult decisions to call upon the community for help in discernment. (“Clearness Committees.”)
• Non-creedal. No set of beliefs you must agree with to become Quaker. So it is a community that supports people in their personal quests for understanding.
• Non-hierarchical. Equality of all. Everyone is a minister. Worship style in the unprogrammed tradition is to gather in silence; if someone is moved to speak, that person speaks. While the silence is meditative, belief that something special happens when several are gathered together. Ideal is what is called a “gathered meeting.”
• “Pastoral” or “programmed” meetings have more of a structure that resembles protestant church services, but often with an extended period of “open worship” (15-20 minutes) like the “unprogrammed” worship above. While there is a pastor, still everyone is considered a minister. The pastor is just one whose specific ministry is that of guiding the community in the worship services.
• Testimonies:
  • Simplicity
  • Peace
  • Integrity
  • Community
  • Equality
  • Sustainability
• Faith into action. “Let your life speak.” Mystical (experiential) and activist.
• Thus, throughout history, advocated religious toleration, nonviolent conflict resolution, equality of men and women, abolition of slavery, education, more compassionate care of those with mental illnesses, prison reform, and environmental sustainability.