Quakers do not share a fixed set of beliefs. Our unity is based on shared understanding and a shared practice of worship, not on our beliefs all being the same. There is no need to be in unity with Quakers on every issue in order to be part of our meetings.
There is a great diversity within Quaker meetings on how we think of God, and we use different kinds of language to describe religious experience. Some Quakers have a conception of God that is similar to the Protestant impulse from which we arose, and these folks would use similar language. Others are happy to use God-centred language, but would conceive of God in very different terms to the traditional Christian trinity. Some describe themselves as agnostics, or humanists, or non-theists and describe their experiences in ways that avoid the use of the word God entirely. Some use feminist language. Quaker faith is built on experience and Quakers would generally hold that it is the spiritual experience which is central to Quaker worship, and not the use of a particular form of words (whether that be “God” or anything else).
Not all our beliefs are so diverse and our commitment to Quaker process and testimonies unify us. Quaker testimonies are spiritual insights that spring from deep experience and have been reaffirmed by successive generations of Quakers. These testimonies are to integrity or truth, equality, simplicity, peace, and community.
One consequence of our testimony to equality, for instance, is that we welcome people from all contexts and backgrounds, including all abilities, genders, and sexualities. We also strive to be a safe and nurturing place for those from racialized groups and other marginalized identities, groups, and cultures. We recognize that true welcome requires more than welcoming words.
We have a fundamental commitment to equality and inclusion. We affirm the love of God for all people. You can find out more about Quaker beliefs and attitudes by reading pieces from our Faith & Practice book where we quote many Quakers, old and young, living and dead. Friends also believe in continuing revelation – that rather than relying primarily on a fixed sacred text, our knowledge of the divine will continue to unfold, and that our faith calls us to continually seek to live out our testimonies as the world evolves.
Some frequently asked questions & their answers
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Where’s the minister?
Look around you in the Meeting!
Everyone there is a minister of the Spirit within. That is why someone may be guided to stand and give an inspired message, and so aid and serve worship and wisdom for everyone.
In order to give pastoral care to members and others who attend, most Meetings appoint a small group to serve as Ministry & Counsel. These may be the folks whom you see starting and closing the meeting and doing readings. Feel free to talk to one of them with your questions.
Are Quakers Christians?
‘This is actually an interesting and somewhat controversial question. Depending on who you ask, your answer is likely to be either (1) “Yes, for the most part” or (2) “No, not exclusively.” Both responses are correct.
Certainly, most Quakers (Friends) are Christian, and our beginnings were exclusively Christian. The Quaker faith originated in seventeenth century England during the civil wars when many were questioning the authority and role of government and of the established church, the Church of England.
George Fox and the early Friends believed that each person could have direct personal access to the Spirit from within themselves without need for mediation by priest, a specific ritual, or a specific sacred place. In their understanding, Jesus possessed a full measure of the Christ Spirit, and all humanity are sons and daughters of God. As Friends, through this direct access to the Spirit, they believed they could be empowered to live lives of integrity towards creating a more peaceful and just world.
However, not all Quakers are Christian today. Many have a profound experience of the Spirit without associating it with Jesus and Christian tradition. We understand that the experience of the Spirit is not limited to Christian contexts. Throughout our history, we have been wary of becoming dogmatic about any particular creed. We do not demand or expect that our members all be Christian, and we have been enriched by our openness.
We are members of the World Council of Churches and we work with many religions in the search for peace, equality, and justice for all.
Do Quakers believe in Jesus or the Bible?
Quakers enjoy questions, or ‘queries’ as they are often called, as they give people a chance to dialogue with each other. A good query here is: “What do you mean by believe?”
Some Quakers consider Jesus to have been a supremely inspired teacher whose words moved others to work for peace and justice. Others believe he is the Son of God. George Fox referred to ‘Christ Jesus,’ and that ordering reminds Quakers of his great message.
Many Quakers are familiar with the Bible and refer to its teachings and stories for inspiration, comfort, and help.
Can I bring my kids?
We would love that!
Many Meetings have programming available for children while their parents are in Meeting for Worship. This is usually referred to as “First Day School.” First Day School may be offered every week, or on alternate weeks, or once a month.
Some Meetings encourage children to read, draw, or do other quiet activities in the same room as the Meeting for Worship. This is common practice at Canadian Quaker Gatherings, and may be an option if you wish to attend a Meeting which does not regularly offer First Day School. The experience of having children present in Meeting for Worship is enriching for all ages.
We are always excited by the addition of families to our community. However, the availability and type of child care will vary significantly from Meeting to Meeting. Please contact your local Meeting to inquire as to their children’s program. Contact information for Meetings can be found at find a meeting.
In Meetings without many families, it may be difficult for older children to connect with other Quakers their age. To build community with other young Quaker families, consider attending a regional or national gathering. Many families with children make a point of attending, even if they are irregular attendees at their home Meetings. Camp Neekaunis at Waubashene, near Midland, Ontario, is another place where families and youth interested in Quakerism can explore it in an informal setting in the summer months.
How can you become a Quaker if you are not born into the faith?
We talk about two kinds of membership. “Birthright Quakers” were born into a Quaker family, registered by their families as junior members, and request regular membership when they become adult. A person who joins as an adult is a “Quaker by Convincement.” This latter group makes up the majority of our membership.
Those who become Quakers later in life start by attending a Quaker Meeting as regularly as possible. After a time, the Meeting may ask the attender to consider membership, or the attender may request membership by writing to the Monthly Meeting through its Clerk. The Meeting will form a “clearness committee” to meet with the applicant and discern together if the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) is the appropriate spiritual home. If so, the clearness committee will recommend that the Meeting welcome the applicant into membership at a regular “meeting for worship with attention to business.”
