Quaker beginnings: AI: “Quakers started in England in the mid-17th century with George Fox, a shoemaker’s apprentice who sought direct, personal experience with God, rejecting church hierarchies and rituals. His followers, called “Friends,” believed in an “Inner Light” within everyone, leading to practices of silent, expectant worship and radical ideas about equality, simplicity, and peace, which caused significant persecution but led to the founding of Quaker sanctuaries for religious freedom like Pennsylvania by William Penn in 1862. King Charles II granted William Penn the charter for Pennsylvania to repay a debt and provide refuge for persecuted Quakers.

Quaker persecution: Quakers were persecuted for their radical, nonconformist beliefs that challenged religious and political authority, particularly their emphasis on the “Inner Light” (direct revelation from God) in every person, rejection of clergy/hierarchy, refusal to swear oaths, and plain dress/speech, which Puritans in England and the Massachusetts Bay Colony viewed as heresy, blasphemy, and social disruption, leading to imprisonment, fines, banishment, and even execution.

Quakers’ name: Quakers got their name from George Fox, who told a magistrate in 1650 to “tremble at the word of the Lord,” leading the judge to call Fox and his followers “Quakers” as an insult for their intense religious feeling, which sometimes involved trembling or “quaking” during worship, a name they later embraced. While they call themselves “Friends,” the nickname stuck, referencing both the physical manifestations of spiritual experience and the admonishment to fear God’s word.

Quaker gender equality: Quakers promoted women’s participation in meetings and believed in the inherent worth of every individual, influencing democratic ideals and human rights. Though early Quakers participated in slavery, they initiated the first anti-slavery petition in North America in 1688 and became leaders in the abolitionist movement.

Quaker church meetings, or “Meeting for Worship,” is primarily a period of silent, unprogrammed gathering where attendees sit together, often in a circle, waiting expectantly for direct connection with the Divine Spirit, with anyone free to offer brief, inspired spoken messages (ministry) if moved, before concluding with fellowship and handshakes. There’s no pastor, script, or set agenda, emphasizing personal spiritual experience, equality, and community connection through shared silence and listening.    

Quaker stats: There are about 400,000 Quakers worldwide, with the largest populations in Africa (mainly Kenya), and Latin America (Bolivia, Guatemala), followed by North America and Europe. Quakers live in many states in the U.S.

Quaker oats: Maybe you are thinking about Quaker Oats right now, maybe some you had for breakfast. Sorry, but Quaker Oats had no affiliation with the Quaker religion. The name and images was chosen in 1877 b/c of the Quakers’ reputation for honesty, integrity, and quality. The figure represents a generic Quaker man in traditional garb.

Quaker beiefs: Traditional Quakers believe in salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, often emphasizing that this faith leads to an inner, direct experience with God’s “Inner Light” or “Inner Christ,” which guides them to live righteously. Quakers hold diverse views on Jesus, but generally see him as central, acknowledging him as God’s Son, though not always equating him with the traditional Trinity.” Quakers see Jesus as a transformative spiritual guide, the embodiment of God’s love, and the way to salvation through inward transformation, not just external forgiveness, emphasizing living His teachings, like loving others, as the path to redemption, with belief in “that of God in everyone” leading to a personal, immediate connection with the divine. Salvation is seen as liberation from sin’s power, becoming more Christ-like through inner light and guidance, rather than solely escaping punishment.”

Quakers a cult? Most experts do not consider Quakers to be a cult, although their religious experiences are unique and different than most mainstream Christians. They consider Jesus to be God’s Son and beIieve in salvation by grace through faith in Jesus, which is the core belief of Christians.

I copied all that out from AI but I believe it is all very accurate. Their philosophy about their assemblies is interesting to me. Many Christians no doubt go to church and never really focus on inner transforming spiritual thoughts. They are surrounded by noise and distractions. Your focus might be on analyzing his words instead of analyzing your inner spiritual person. A preacher might talk for 30 minutes and not even have a lot of encouraging thoughts. Maybe we would do good to try some Quaker assemblies. Quaker assemblies don’t have the emphasis on preaching of the word or congregational singing or Lord’s Supper, but they are designed for a different purpose.

I hope you are enjoying these articles on world religions.