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The Quaker Way
Quakerism is a group of insights, attitudes and practices
which together form a way of life, rather than a dogma of creed.
It rests on a conviction that by looking into their inmost hearts
people can have direct communion with their Creator. This experience
cannot ultimately be described in words, but Quakers base their
whole lives on it.
The Quaker movement arose in the mid-seventeenth century. Its followers
called themselves 'Friends of Truth', or simply 'Friends'. 'Quaker'
was an abusive nickname used by others, but Friends have since adopted
the term themselves, and today 'Friend' and 'Quaker' mean the same
and are used interchangeably. The formal title is 'The Religious
Society of Friends (Quakers)'.
Friends' basic attitudes show themselves in certain ideas and practices,
personal and collective, of which the most important are:
The Quaker way implies non-violence in thought,
word and deed. The great majority of Quakers refuse to fight in
war, and make clear their opposition to all preparations for it.
The Society is regarded as one of the traditional 'peace churches'.
In their meetings for worship Quakers do not sing
hymns or use set prayers, but wait on God together in silence.
Out of this silence occasionally someone may speak briefly, or
pray, or read from the Bible or other religious work. Quakerism
arose at a time when England was a deeply Christian country, and
present-day Friends often express themselves in Christian terms,
but many different kinds of religious experience may be brought
before God in the silent group.
Friends try to learn from the teachings of Jesus
of Nazareth as recorded in the Gospels. They also try to live
in the spirit of forgiving love that was shown in his life and
death, and has been a living source of strength and inspiration
to his followers ever since. This does not, however, prevent many
Quakers from acknowledging a debt to the saints and sages of other
religions and to wise people of no declared religion.
Quakers do not consider that ultimate authority
can reside in a church or other organisation. Nor do they regard
the mere words of the Bible, or any other writing, as authority;
they try to enter into the spirit that inspired the writers. This
does not mean that every Friend is his or her own authority. Belonging
to the worshipping group exerts a gentle discipline which Friends
gladly accept.
Friends also carry on the business of their Society
in a framework of silent worship, placing themselves and their
affairs in the presence of God. The proceedings are conducted
by a 'Clerk', who is both chairperson and secretary, and records
the 'sense of the meeting' at the time without recourse to voting.
Quakers tend to live simply, but contrary to popular
opinion, they are not rigidly puritanical. For example, some Friends
are teetotal, while others drink alcohol in moderation.
Quakers recognise only one standard of truth, and
consequently do not swear legal oaths. This attitude is also reflected
in their avoidance of speculative business deals and gambling.
Quakers do not practise or condone discrimination
by sex, social class or race.
Quakers are prominent in work for disadvantaged people at home
and abroad, though many people who admire this work are not aware
of the religious conviction underpinning it.
Finally, it is fundamental to the Quaker way to
be open to new insights from whatever source, to tolerate differing
opinions, and to work for reconciliation wherever there is strife
and enmity.
It should not be imagined, however, that Quakers are
impossibly 'good' people. Like others they have their faults and
fall short of their own aims. Nor do their claim that their path
is the only true one; they have simply found it right for them.
While Friends are always glad to tell others what Quakerism means
to them, they do not pressurise anyone to join them, but leave people
free to decide whether the Quaker way really is for them.
Everyone is welcome to attend a Quaker Meeting for Worship, and
Friends are delighted when people want to find out more about them.
This may take some time. The best approach is to attend a Meeting
for Worship on several occasions, and also Meetings in different
places, and to do some reading. Leaflets on Friends' silent worship
and other aspects of the Quaker way can usually be obtained free
from any meeting house.
RICHARD ALLEN
Reproduced from the leaflet
"The Quaker Way"
© Quaker Home Service 1985
Reprinted October 1993
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