Quaker faith - an introduction

Posted on March 21st, 2007 in Quaker by Brian

Quakers feel that unless you have experienced a belief inwardly, as true and valuable, you won’t let it rule your life – and if it doesn’t do that, what use is belief? It is no good having a faith if you don’t put it into practice.


Quakers do not have a creed. Our faith springs from a deeply held belief in living our lives according to our spiritual experience. The early Quakers in the 1650s felt that the churches over the centuries had lost sight of the real aims of Christianity, and got bogged down with traditions, rituals, and power politics.

George Fox and other early Quakers aimed to lead a renewal – to see how they could live life more simply and truthfully, following Jesus’ example more closely.

Quakerism is rooted in Christianity, but Quakers have always been unwilling to set a creed to which all their members must commit themselves. Some Quakers find that traditional religious language doesn’t describe their inner experiences, and they look both within the Christian tradition, and to other traditions. The Society appears very different from any other Christian group. We have no priests, services or creeds.

We gather in silence for our Meetings for Worship. We seek together to listen to the Spirit of God – whether that Spirit is thought of as an external being whose aspects are too wonderful to adequately describe in human thought and words, or as an inner light or voice which gives us insight, discernment, understanding, and experiences of the Other. If someone in our Meeting feels moved to speak and share thoughts, experiences, ideas or practical action with the other members of the Meeting, they are free to do so.

The little book called “Quaker Advices and Queries” encourages Friends to “Be aware of the spirit of God at work in the ordinary activities and experiences of your daily life. Spiritual learning continues throughout life, and often in unexpected ways. There is inspiration to be found all around us, in the natural world, in the sciences and arts, in our work and friendships, in our sorrows as well as our joys”

It asks Friends: “Are you open to new light, from whatever source it may come? Do you approach new ideas with discernment?”

From the start of our Society in the 1650s, Quakers have felt strong concerns to improve social conditions.

  • We worked for the abolition of slavery, and are still involved in racial justice issues
  • We have always opposed war as a means of settling disputes and still work for peace and alternatives to violence
  • We have “testimonies” – the themes which arise out of our inner convictions and challenge our normal ways of living
  • Truth and integrity – Quakers try to live according to the deepest truth we know. This means speaking the truth to all, including people in positions of power. Integrity is the guiding principle we set for ourselves and expect in public life.
  • Justice, Equality and Community – Quakers recognise the equal worth and unique nature of every person. This means working to change the systems that cause injustice and hinder true community. It also means working with people who are suffering from injustice, such as prisoners and asylum seekers.
  • Simplicity – Quakers are concerned about the excesses and unfairness of our consumer society, and the unsustainable use of natural resources. We try to live simply and to give space for the things that really matter: the people around us, the natural world, our experience of God.
  • Peace – perhaps Quakers are best known for our peace testimony. This derives from our conviction that love is at the heart of existence and all human beings are equal in the eyes of God, and that we must live in a way that reflects this. It has led Quakers to refuse military service, and to become involved in a wide range of peace activities from practical work in areas affected by violent conflict to the development of alternatives to violence at all levels from personal to international. See the item on CRISP.
  • Prepared to be different – Quaker testimonies are not just a set of words, but an expression of our spirituality in action. In attempting to live out our testimonies, we are holding up an alternative vision of humanity and society, centred on meeting real needs rather than ever-changing desires.