Are Quakers Christian?
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- Опубликовано: 30 окт 2019
- Are Quakers Christian? We talked to 11 Quakers from across the United States and asked about their relationship with Christianity.
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Filmed and Edited by Jon Watts
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Transcript:
Lloyd Lee Wilson: Are Quakers Christian? Many Quakers are Christian. Worldwide, most Quakers are Christian. I’m a Christian. I’m a Christian today because there was a place for me in the Religious Society of Friends when I wasn’t a Christian.
Are Quakers Christian?
Chloe Schwenke: Are Quakers Christian? I would almost turn that question around and say, “Ok, tell me what a Christian is.” And it goes to the heart of what I think is the magic of Quakerism, which is that we don’t try to define God. We let God be God and we just experience God. Some of us including myself feel a great connection to the experience and testimony of Jesus Christ. The way that Jesus Christ brought love into the world as a tangible and important and central piece of what it means to be a human being is a very powerful testimony that many, many Quakers would feel absolutely at home with who may not call themselves Christians. But they don’t need to call themselves Christians.
The History of Quakerism
Lisa Motz-Storey: My practice is definitely Christian. But it doesn’t mean that I feel like Christianity is the only way. It’s our history as Quakers, too. George Fox would have answered, “Yes” to that question and everybody else.
David Johnson: Certainly the first Quakers were Christian. Their whole life and spirituality were centered around the light within them, which they experienced as the light of Jesus as the Christ working within them.
A Distinctive Approach to Christianity
Mark Wutka: I would say from its beginning, Quakerism was rooted in Christianity but it wasn’t necessarily the same kind of Christianity that was surrounding it. I would say one of the distinctives is that Quakerism tended to take external things and understand them from an internal perspective.
Gregg Koskela: For me one of the ways that a Friends perspective helps me to follow Jesus is probably best described for when I first walked into this room as a freshman at George Fox College: I was really moved by the attentiveness to the Spirit of God and I remember calling my Mom and saying, “These people believe what all these Christian churches I’ve been a part of have believed but not taken seriously.”
Lloyd Lee Wilson: Much of Christianity is what we might call “cataphatic” spirituality, which you can think of as a list of all the sentences that you could make that begin “God is…” Quakers have lifted up in large part an “apophatic” spirituality, which you can think of as all the sentences that begin, “God is not…” and you fill in all the blanks. Which is not to deny God but to recognize that all our intellectual constructs and our language and our words are not quite it.
Valerie Brown: This is one of the things I really love about Quakerism, is that it is so unconventional. It is noncomformist. I really appreciate that element of the mystery of Quakerism.
The Universal Light of Christ
David Johnson: The Light is a universal light, and that’s clear in Penn’s original statement, that the spirit of God is in every person. That’s taken primarily from the ninth verse of the first chapter of John’s Gospel. I’m sure that that light which comes from a universal spirit of God is experienced by every other person.
Lloyd Lee Wilson: I think that Quaker corner of the big tent of Christianity doesn’t bring anything from outside Christianity, but highlights and lifts up things that were in the Christian tradition always but have been neglected or almost lost over the millennia. One of the things is the direct and immediate and perceptible encounter and relationship with God. That idea that God pours out God’s spirit on everybody, and that’s a life-changing encounter.
More: fdsj.nl/christian
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The views expressed in this video are of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Friends Journal or its collaborators.
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I love what one of the older gentlemen said, that the fact that since there was a place for him amongst Quakers when he wasn't a Christian, that helped him become Christian in the end. Though I don't identify with the label myself, I think his realization about his journey is incredibly powerful nonetheless
What's most intriguing and inspiring to me in the Quaker's approach is their delicate attentive modesty.
@Kestrel So what would be the least likely?
@Kestrel no it's not I dont believe. I have looked into Quakerism and I've learned that dress and modesty in general is pervasive
I want to know their views on vaccination more importantly mandates of said
@@ripme6616 Hi. Quaker here (who certainly does not speak for all Quakers). I am vaccinated against coronavirus and all the usual suspects (measles, whooping cough, tetanus, etc.). Mandâtes is a wee bit more complicated for me personally. I wear a mask whether or not there is a mandate. I, however, am an anarchist, which is intertwined with my Quaker values and there are a number of us Quaker/Anarchists, but I cannot speak to any singular Quaker opinion on mask mandates. I can say that as a Quaker and as an anarchist, I affirm to a radical level a rejection of hierarchies. As a Quaker, I sit quietly with questions that need discernment and search for answers to questions like, « If I truly believe the Light is in all and therefore everyone is completely and inherently equal , what would be the appropriate response? »
@@ripme6616 as a Quaker i can only give my view. I do not believe in vaccinations of any kind. & in the twilight of my years i have never had any. I THINK a wholesome diet & taking good care of one's self is more important, prevention is the key & a healthy lifestyle.I think. Peace
All thoughtful people in this video.
I’m a proud 10th great grandson of Margaret Fell the co-founder of Quakerism. Thank you to this channel for representing it so well and teaching the world.
The Tao that can be named is not the eternal Tao. The way the old man was describeling how they understand god made me think of this verse from the tao te jing
I see a lot of similarities between Quakerism and Taoism. I haven't seen anyone else mention the connection before, but I'm sure there are some taoist quakers out there.
I am, Taoist, self realist, mystic. I attended friends meetings in Pasadena Ca. That particular assembly were not Christian but that was 30 years ago and now it seems most friends are Christian. George’s initial teachings were of a personal relationship with source but maybe now it is a religious organization or church. It’s a do it yourself job in my eyes and heart.
Why does it always sound like ASMR when Quakers are saying anything
Quakers are all about quiet worship and all that jazz. They are also the chillest religious grouo since the buddhists.
"Christ centered friend." That is the label I needed, Thank you.
5:42 “why is it important for some people to call themselves Christian when that’s a word that never crossed Jesuses lips” - pure gold.
May sound good if you don't the history of what the Word Christian is. It was originally a derogatory term for followers of The Way, which was what Yeshua called Himself, I Am the Way....the Only Way. So Jews and Gentiles who followed the Jewish Messiah were simply following the True Way. Gentiles in the area began calling them little Messiahs, Christians, little Jesus', because they were so much like Jesus and calling the world to follow the way of God's Salvation. They simply owned the name calling and accepted it.
I call myself by the name Kent. God calls me His son. So does that mean I can't call myself Kent?
Golden...
As a pagan this is very intriguing, it feels like a place I could just be,have an experience with divine/deity without the pressure if conversion or need to be of a specific faith there able to be there
I'm a pagan who grew up orthodox quaker and now I live in upstate NY where there are only liberal Friends. Quaker meeting is still one of my most sacred spaces.
Collective silence is a powerful tool imo. You can always visit if there's a meeting in your area, but watch out for the orthodox! 😬💖
@@catie5939 thank you for that insight!
Yeah, can confirm. My particular Quaker Meeting was how I converted out of my Christianity just by giving me that space to talk about things without expectation that I would conform. Most Quakers are calm, rational people who are open to people of any beliefs.
Friend, I am a fairly traditional Christian Quaker and much of what I believe might not be too different to what "mainstream " Christians believe but being faithful to the traditional principles of quakerism means understanding that the spiritual light which enlightens and teaches is available immediately to everyone however we experience it and so everyone must be welcome at our meetings without qualification or reservation.
@@grassic in my experience, that level of open mindedness isn't present across the board of the evangelical quakers, but I'm really glad it is for you and your meeting. I can't, in good conscience, tell someone to visit a friends church like the one I grew up in. Unfortunately, Quakers aren't safe, quiet folk across the board, although I definitely hear what you're saying.
"let God be God" THANK YOU.
I've always found it uncomfortable how preachy mainstream Christianity is. Let's not try and define or explain God- doing so defeats the purpose of FAITH
My gripe with that is: If we do not have a definition of who God is and what He wants, there's a risk of inadvertently projecting our inner feelings on Him. In other words, if we worship what "feels right", we worship what ... well... "feels right". How do we know that it is God we have in our minds?
@@mugglesarecooltoo Good point! It is a problem that Quakers confront by worshipping as a community. The congregation serves to temper the ego,.
@@peterdale8929 You're clearly not a Quaker.
Lol, guys, c'mon... I am myself someone that hasn't made completly their mind about religius matters and is conscious about shortcomings of our human understanding and is annoyed by thousands of denominations pretending that they know only one correct interpretation necessary to salvation, but even I have to say that you guys miss completly point of christianity.
The whole point of incarnation of christ in human body was to make an unknowable god, creator and source of everything that surpasses all understanding of contingent creation, immanent to creation, reachable and knowable by humans and ultimately to allow humans to unite with him, who came to dwell among humans to defeat sin and death.
John 14:8-10
8 Philip says to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us”. 9 Jesus says to him, “Am I with you[a] all for so long a time, and you[b] have not known[c] Me, Philip?- the one having seen Me has seen the Father. How is it you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? I am not speaking the words which I am saying to you[d] from Myself, but the Father abiding in Me is doing His works.
Accepting Jesus Christ has transformed my life as a Quacker
Do you associate with geese too?
@@ohana8535 lol
I get such loving, calm, genuine vibes from quakers and these individual people in the video
Since Quakerism isn't widely known and they mostly keep to themselves, I wouldn't consider it being as mainstream as other Christian branches. Mainstream Christianity tends to excludes certain people whereas Quakerism is more inclusive.
Pluralistic Quakerism is inclusive just as all liberal churches are; however, post-modernist approaches to Christianity are never true to the original intent of their denominations, and they are an abomination to the message and legacy of the early church
The far eccentric left of the nonconformist reformation church’s is the way my grandma described her position. So yeah not mainstream
I'm muslim but I feel i'm a quacker too.. . I love your vision of life and humanity
It feels so inclusive, so devoid of conflict. Quakerism!
Lovely and thoughtful and well done as usual. Thank you!!! PS the music intro and outro is lovely as well.
As a 40 year practicing Pagan, I find many of the Quaker beliefs would be at home in my faith.
I'll you posted this awhile ago but I to am pagan and just sitting here like "my goodness these people and the space they hold could easily line up with mine!"
@@Fairdos07 I am genuinely curious what a practicing pagan is? What would be a good truthful source to learn about this?
I grew up, with some others in my Meeting but certainly not everyone there, in a particular overlap of Jewishness, Judaism, and Quakerism, and I find it continually amazing that Quakerism can be inclusive of that.
Im sort of starting a religious journey and the two religions i have studied the most and considered joining / converting to the most are Judaism and quakerism
@@hippityhoppityilikemypriva4467 I
Some parts of Quakerism are inclusive of incoherent, heretical theology, but do not attempt to paint true Quakerism in that way
The term Christian came around a long time ago and it simply means a follower of Christ. People have turned it into something else. People have mis understandings on what a Christian is. Being a Christian isn't about trying to follow the laws of God in your own strength and failing. Christianity is not about condemning other people. It's not meant to be a socialistic thing. Some thing were people play church. No Christianity is alive. True Christian's are empowered by the spirit of almighty God. They go out and heal the sick raise the dead cleanse the lepors and cast out demons. And much much more. They have a relationship with God and spend time with him. This is what a Christian is. There are people who label themselves as Christian's and they are only a Christian for their own selfish reasons. Not because they have surrendered to God. Jesus said take up your cross and follow me. He told people to sell all their possessions to follow him. Which is the willingness in your heart that if God told you to sell all your things you would. A true Christian is someone who dies to self. Who is dead to self. We cannot be righteous on our own. It is by The sacrafice of Jesus that we are able to receive his righteousness not our own, it's by grace. And when we receive it by faith we are made righteous with his righteousness, ours is as filthy rags to God. When we are born again and die to ourself we are made an entirely new creation in Christ. The gospel is meant to transform you, not leave you the same. The gospel isnt just about going to heaven but about bringing heaven to earth. And about God restoring you to who you were always meant to be.
Christianity is not religion but relationship and is spiritual. That's what true Christianity is.
Couldn’t have said it better friend. God bless.
Amen
Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. -1 Peter 4:16
Yes, this ^^ I've had a few conversations with people on "how is Christianity different from other religions", and it always comes down to one thing. It's not *supposed* to be a religion, it's supposed to be changed people, bringing love from God to those around them
Interesting that you claim Christianity is about relationships and the spiritual, but you finally come down on how it is the Gospel that will transform you. It is not the Gospel that will transform you, but God. God can not be qualified, limited, fully comprehended by a human being, or circumscribed by what is in the Bible.The Bible is not necessarily the be-all and end-all, to think so is to try to contain God. If God chooses to reveal himself to people outside of the context of the Bible, who are you to say He can't? One of the things that most Quakers believe in is perpetual revelation; they have the faith that God can speak to them directly. Besides, who are you to say God can't change His mind? He is God, after all.
Great video...exactly what I needed to hear at this moment...
I am so happy to have found this channel. This has triggered such a healing event for me. I have always called myself a Pagan Friend, but always felt worried that somehow that couldn't be accepted. It so validating to know that I am not the only one.
This is very informative, thank you for posting this video.
Like most faiths there are subdevisions within it.
I'm a universalist quaker. I beleave all faiths indicate a path to ones own faith and God.
Religious books, hymns and such outward images and religious rights are to me a form of cultural means of desplaying there own faith and are equally valid to any other.
ones own individual path and experince and not what god has in mind and of course make own rules.
I like all the comments everyone made and very much relate to what Tom Hoopes said '...too many of whom practise a too enthusiastic form of exclusion and intolerance for me to feel ok with that.' Thanks for the Video.
I identify as post-Christian Quaker (member of Vancouver Island MM/Switzerland YM), recognizing that my cultural upbringing has been thoroughly shaped by mainstream Christianity. This continues to shape the way I see and recognize the world, how I think, and how I act. However, I do not need the becoming-Christ-event, the Easter experience, in order to believe in God and -- even more so -- in order to be able to experience God in my life today. I can learn from the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, as testimonies to the grace of God in the life of Jesus. At the same time, I can learn from many other human beings, because that of God is in everyone. Some of my deepest religious experiences happened in relationship with people that will never have a biblical text tell their stories!
I really love how Reza Aslan put it, although he's certainly paraphrasing other prophets. If you want to reach water, you don't dig six one-foot wells. You dig one six-foot well. But no matter which well you choose, we're all drawing from the same water.
@Eversteijn yes but this does not contradict what Kimberly is saying. Christ is that water being drawn from different wells. If you love God and love your neighbor as yourself you are a Christian, even if you have never heard of the church or the Bible.
@Eversteijn You mean well I am sure but words such as yours tend to have the effect of pushing many away from God. If a mere human can learn to forgive the worst of crimes I truly believe God is capable of such forgiveness that a human mind could never comprehend. Imagine a God who could forgive and pardon the worst of us. Either way if God exists it isn't for me to say. However, whenever I read parroting of bible verses as the absolute unchanging, no room for critical thinking truth, I tend to shut down and shy away from theism completely, as I'm sure is not too uncommon. You could be correct, but as mere man you have no more knowledge of that than I do.
As a Liberal Friend originally from Pennsylvania, I certainly would be unhappy if anyone were to impute a belief in Christianity to me simply because I am a Quaker. Christianity has traditionally been rife with intolerance, authoritarianism, hierarchy, dogmatism, and patriarchy. Quakerism has taken some of the good parts of Christianity and taken them seriously. But most importantly it constantly tries to turn our hearts and minds to the living Spirit rather than to old books and catch-phrases.
You are an ignorant liar. The places where there was more freedom and rights were where Christianity reigned. How many nations were built on "crakes" values? Stay with your self help club.
Did they ever break down the hierarchy- I still don't know everything george fox did but it was dark & full of confrontations with Thomas Cromwell - £ hope I spelled that right!
honestly i'm a practicing catholic myself, and teachings are based on dogmas like community, love, and compassion, but honestly what disillusions me is historically, how christians have twisted the doctrine to ideas like colonialism, imperialism, and slavery.
im sure the quakers of the 1600s didnt approve of homosexuality or beastiality or lesbianism then or whatever then it is now?
@@yc99official95 There’s a lot of people who have twisted the Bible for their personal gain unfortunately! Quakers where not allowed to own slaves, but I don’t know how someone following Jesus back in the day could do such a thing
I know I'm a Christian, and I call myself that becuase I had defined "Christian" as someone who: (a) believes in the trinity (a three-in-one God composed of the Father, the Son/Jesus, and the Holy Spirit), (b) believes Jesus died and rose again, and (c) that Jesus did that to be the ultimate sacrificial lamb to pay for all sins.
However, I reliazed many of my beliefs, especially during my deconstruction, did not follow my parents, and they wouldn't even call me a Christian anymore. These "crazy" ideas and beliefs included:
- God is love, above all other things ("love" encapsulates forgiveness, mercy, peace, joy, etc)
- Sin is the antithesis to what God is (it is un-love and un-just and pain, etc)
- That, since Jesus died, we only have to follow the Greatest Commandments (love God and one another)
- That God can forgive you even if you mess up, if you sin repeatedly, if you misunderstand the Bible a little, etc
- That every living being is created by God, and therefore, has a bit of God in them, making them inherently love (aka, inherently good) and that it is sin (un-love, pain, etc) and our humanly/Earthly bodies that causes us to be sinful.
- All we gotta do is do our best to love, and Jesus paid for the rest already.
- -this also means LGBT+ aren't sinful-
Then I started to try and figure out what Friends believe (sorry if that's the improper name!) for a religions class, and I realized y'all have a lot of similarities to my own beliefs. However, what I consider "core beliefs" (must believe), it does not seem Quakers believe (or at least say you have to believe).
Sad to say, I still don't have a name for my beliefs (a denomination), but I wish I did so I didn't offput myself in spaces where I want outsiders who are often harmed by bad Christians. That itself is sad because I feel drawn to the outsiders, the broken, the lost, the left out, but they are often those things because of bad Christians, and they are weary of me because of that, even though those are exactly the people Jesus wanted to help.
That all being said, I am still looking for a better or more accurate term for my beliefs, but I feel like Quaker is pretty close. I also enjoy that Quakerism is open to non-Christians in the way that they can come and feel God's love. So maybe I could still use it as a adjective, in a way, to describe my beliefs as a Christian, rather than identify solely as Quaker or Christian.
Also, I love y'all and I hope y'all are doing well!
“and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they met with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called “Christians.” Acts 11. There’s some theological speculation about this quotation, but it would appear that “Christian” was title given to, bot chose by, those people, Peter, Settle Meeting, North Yorkshire.
I would describe myself as a nontheist Buddhist Quaker, but there are a wide range of beliefs in my San Jose Meeting. I know some others are nontheist, some are theists, and I know that at least one of the leaders is also Buddhist. It is a very important part of my week, that one hour of quiet worship/meditation followed by an hour of social sharing in the house next door.
i never watched anything before as was still puzzled at what quakers are or represent after alot of words trying to explain it that to me is quite strange
Very Interesting indeed 👍
Some might be. Not all.
Statistically that’s not true. Most are, some aren’t.
Beautiful !!
I would love to hear from more Friends who do not consider themselves to be Christian, and/or Friends who don't even consider themselves to be theists in the traditional sense. From what I have gleaned, the belief that there is "that of god in everyone," and that we all possess an Inner/Inward Light, it seems there is a way to interpret this in a much more generally spiritual, or pantheist, way.
@Cassandra Quacker practices and understanding of God is universal.As you mentioned u would love to hear from non christians. I think you should read the Quran for a inclusive perspective of God to reflect and ponder upon the creation of Man and universe
Jessica Kellgren-Fozard has a series on Quakerism that you might enjoy. I'd rather let her herself talk about it, but she seems to view god as the goodness in people
@@haydenbrice7317 Haha, she's the reason that I ended up here in the first place!
Hi! I’m a non-Christian Quaker. I am panentheist-which means I view the Divine as both immanent and transcendent. I’m also simultaneously a polytheist.
@@megara4068 My friend is a Non Theist Quaker.
Does the Society of Friends still use *thou* and *thee* with one another? I was reading a book on the Underground Railroad and it stated that a free black man was advising a slave who was about to flee North "to not trust any white man except those who wear a straight white collar over a bell-frocked black coat who will thee and thou you". This was in the 1820s and his description can only be of a Quaker.
I am asking this because etymological dictionaries glossing "thou" commonly quote the Quakers as continuing to use this personal *singular* second-person pronoun well after its use had died out amongst Anglo communities, and their having been heavily censured for what was seen as speaking down to whom they addressed with this pronoun. "Thou thouest me, knave"?
It is sad we no longer use this pronoun in english any longer (though it remains part of the modern english lexicon) and as someone who speaks french using _tu_ instead of _vous_ with friends and acquaintances brings one closer to them in the conversation and in sentiment. Spanish, italian and german all still use their own forms of thou (but no longer dutch) and we still have this in greek as well (I'm half-greek). I have even seen the Irish singer Enya use the tú form in a beautiful yet sad song she sings in gaelige called "Smaointe".
Thank you for bearing with me. I read a lot of history books and what I have gleaned about you and your beliefs from these over time has only filled me with admiration and respect for how you conduct your lives💙
In my particular meeting, the “thee/thou” is basically gone. As I understand things, referring to singular people as “you” was a sign of respect to the upper class that early Quakers were opposed to doing. Hence the censorship for “talking down” with thees and thous. These days everyone is called “you”, so in a way we won in the opposite direction.
@@charliemallonee2792 "Thankee" for your reply.🙏🏽 I really like the egalitarian way that you Friends live by as one of your creeds. I'm a Kiwi (NZ) and we Kiwis are told we are kind and down to earth. We don't like to make a fuss by putting people out or poke our heads above the multitude (we call this tall poppy). We tend to find Americans brash and loud, but Americans who live here say that we mutter and mumble when *we* speak. We get alot of famous people who move and/or visit down here. If we were to see them in the street, we cross the road, lol. but moving on, if thou/thee/thy had lastest longer in the vernacular use in English then I firmly believe that we Kiwis would be thouing one another all the time as we are informal here. Everyone is the same: No Mister, Mrs or Miss here, It's first names or gudday mate, or love depending of the gender of the person we address.
Have a nice one, mate (Charlie)👍🏽☺
Well, at my meeting we use variants of thee and thou as the local accent in South Yorkshire still has them.
My grandfather, raised Methodist, remembered being told off for using them inappropriately when growing up as they showed "inappropriate informality" and was told "Tha thee's them as tha's thee" meaning that it was up to people of a higher rank due to age to set the precedent of using informal pronouns.
@@stalfithrildi5366 I was reading a book about Martin Luther. It stated that when the Saxon Luther had come of age and been accepted into a monastery (this is before he nailed or glued his 95 theses to the door of the castle-church at Wittenberg of course) his Father Ludher stopped referring to his son using the singular du, dein (thou, thy) but instead started using Sie (ye, you), accepting Luther as a man. So, this went the other way as well. 👍🏽
Please where are your meetings in Nigeria
A love Quakers the beard gets me!
Saludos Dios le bendiga ¿saben si hay alguna comunidad cuáquera en colombia?
It is seems strange to ask if Quakers are Christian. Rather than define Christianity, they allow Christ to define them.
When I hear quakers talking about their faith, I get the impression that they are a mix of Christianism and esotericism.
To me it's almost the opposite, universal.
“Christianism” is the idea that a Christian theocracy should be created so frankly, I have no idea what you’re talking about
Judging by the name, he's not a native English speaker, so I'm sure he meant Christianity.
@@ximono
👍👍 You have brain.
@@celsopdacunha000 Haha, thank you :)
Thank you.
Não entendo porque no Brasil
não exista QUAKERS.
Who is God according to the Quakers?
My uncle did ancestry on my Dad's family. He did trace some quakers in our line.
I have Quaker ancestry as well, from NJ/PA area
They all seem like good people, but I need to know how Christian Quakers reconcile their peaceful, inclusive beliefs with the more hateful, sexist, violent (etc) parts of the Bible.
I was glad for the first man who said he wasn't always Christian but became one as a Quaker first. I'm glad this video exists. I'm always interested in knowing other non-Christian friends.
A Christian believes in salvation through the one sacrifice of their "Christ" alone. All other faiths believe in works, earning ones own way to heaven by being good and doing good deeds or getting their sins forgiven by men in robes and funny hats, repeatedly saying ritualistic prayers or the like.
Thank Thee Fritz Thee speaks my mind
If you listen to that still, small voice, you're probably on the right track. Folks may say that's un-Christian, but they can't say it's un-Quaker. That's all I have to say 'bout that. Mmmmmhmmmmm.
If the walk does not mirror the talk one is not a Christ follower. Many church attending Christian's are not Christ followers, and many non Christian's are Christ followers. It's in their humility and non judgemental attitudes that one can discern the difference. Love of one's God centered self and from there love of one's neighbour. Jesus demonstrated this and was crucified by dogmatic legalistic religiosity
Went to some Quaker meetings in NJ about 15-20 years ago when my (current wife) wanted to go because she had belonged to some Quaker meetings before. I like the Quakers philosophically, and when I said I'm not a theist they had no issues at all with that. It was nice/contemplative sitting in silence in an old colonial meeting house with the old liquid glass windows. We didn't stick with it long because, as much as I admire their philosophy, I know there is no supernatural universe inhabited by supernatural beings, so ultimately I didn't find anything to latch onto, but if I HAD TO pick a religion, I would probably pick them.
On the face of things Quakerism just seems a lot like Kabbalah. Is this coincidental?
I dont know why this is in my recommended, but alrighty then.
Marshall Samford they paid RUclips to push it, sounds like religious propaganda to me
Maybe God wants you to study who you are? IJS 😊❤ I was researching Whether God blessed the first colonists when they came to live in America...it lead me to all of this. My ancestors were Quaker but don't ask me notjing about it, lol. Interesting though, as are all people and nations when you really get down to studying ❤
Do you as Quakers believe Jesus died for our sins and builds the bridge between us and the great "I AM". This is the only thing I cant find an answer to. very interested! I took a test online and it said my views match up with Quakers.
Some do and some don’t! More traditionalist orthodox or evangelical quakers believe in Jesus and the Bible, other Quakers believe in God as a light and a soul within all people and don’t necessarily believe in all Christian tenants. One of the key points of Quakerism is a lack of one unified dogma or creed, ask 10 different quakers a question and get 13 different answers
I’m an agnostic Quaker so no, I don’t. But maaaaaany Quakers would answer yes to this! I almost thing Quaker is more a way of life than religion, although Christianity is still the dominant religion and it did descend from Christianity. :)
@@juliagoesfrugal This. Quakerism is more a philosophy for life that is compatible with most any worldview (Christian, Buddhist, Atheist, Hindu, etc). Predominantly made up of Christians, but not requiring such.
I think this video needs to include more non-Christian Quaker perspectives. Only one person affirmed they were not Christian.
How beautiful
The better question is "do Quakers believe that Jesus was the messiah, God in the flesh, the light of the world, the shepherd, the sacrifice, whom came to lead us, teach us, to wash us clean, to take away our sins, to save us from the punishment which we deserve, breaking us from the curse brought upon by Adam & Eve, & making a way for us to come back into righteousness with the lord"? As for "Christian", that's a label that so many go under, while doing such questionable things, often seeming to follow everyone except for Christ, therefore it's a label many shy away from.
I'm an Evangelical Friend, so I DEFINITELY believe that Jesus was Messiah, God in the flesh. He's the ONLY way according to the Scriptures!
I hear "He" when referring to "God". Do Quakers believe God is a real Being like how Christians and a lot of Jews do? I believe that during the last 13b years that there's a universal energy that may have reached a consciousness. Just not one that actually physically creates the Universe. This is the Creator of thoughts, ideas, curiosity, a need to learn. Is this kinda like how most Quakers view God? My belief is that the stories in the Bible aren't accurate historical events but more like allegories. It seems to me it's not important for the stories to be "True" but that there is "Truth" in the stories. I have leaned towards Universalist Unitarian for years, I just never lived near a church. Same with Quakers. But my great grandparents were Quakers and when I found this out genealogy I started my education of Quakers. And happily found that my beliefs and mindthoughts aligned with Quakers. I so appreciate these videos.
It absolutely depends on the Quaker! Long story short- many Quakers Do believe in Jesus Christ, but it is not a requirement to be a Quaker as it is to be a Christian. I personally do not view God as an active singular “He,” but rather a creator and a passive force of life in people, who has influenced the world and ideas without being the type of being I could communicate with or understand directly. I view God as being different to every single person on this planet. Many liberal quakers hold views similar to UU beliefs, many don’t! I know that’s a convoluted answer and it’s not always the ones people want but the way I’ve heard many explain it is this: “ask 10 Quakers one question, get 13 different answers” haha
A Christian is someone who is born again of the Holy Spirit by having faith in Jesus Christ, who died on the cross taking our punishment and bearing our sins so that we can be reconciled with God. And that He rose again on the third day defeating sin and death. That is the fundamental belief of a Christian. Evidence that you have true faith in Christ is that you produce the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control) along with those beliefs about Christ.
Not trying to be disrespectful just genuinely curious could a a quaker be a Satanist?
You know, that's a really interesting question, and worth pushing past our initial "of course not" reactions. My first, semi-joking answer would be to ask you in return, "Well, do you mean a Church of Satan Satanist or a Satanic Temple Satanist?" I say semi-joking because it really does strike me that those two institutions are meaningfully different in their philosophy-specifically, that the Satanic Temple appears to place a greater emphasis on communitarian values than the Church. And that emphasis is in many crucial respects not incompatible with many Quaker principles.
My second, more serious answer is that, even if we limit our focus to the "official" forms of Satanism, which are primarily atheist organizations with a flair for the dramatic, there's still a degree of idolatry in Satanic ritual-even though it's largely ironic and performative-that doesn't fit in with the simplicity of Quaker silent worship. Which isn't necessarily disqualifying, in this one Quaker's opinion, more like a potential point of friction.
The more general public understanding of "Satanism"-actual, sincere devil worship, including the rejection of a God even when believing in God's existence-would probably be right out.
One followup question, also offered genuinely: Why would a Satanist consider being a Quaker?
@@RonHoganit does sound like they could be a satanic belief as they just try to be good and think that they will make it to heaven
You just can’t be that good 😊
Actually, most Quakers I’ve met are concerned with being so good, in the sense of fulfilling God’s will for this world, that we help restore the kingdom of heaven here on earth.
@@RonHogan I see you are versed in more than just a rudimentary understanding of Satanism. It is my understanding that quakers could hold to any religious dogma so in any facet of what is considered to be Satanism is what I am wondering. Not just lavey style smoke and mirrors, but genuine deity worship of Satan as well. Or to open another can of worms what about luciferiansim?
1:25 She says she is Christian but believes that Christianity is not the only way. How can someone be a Christian, but at the same time believe that Christianity is not the only way?
0:40 She says, "tell me what a Christian is." - The Christian religion is based on the person and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.
Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6, NIV)
How can a person follow Jesus and disregard this statement made by him?
Jesus is the only way to God the Father.
See The Bible Project: ruclips.net/video/RUfh_wOsauk/видео.html
Jesus is the only certain way. There may be people who never heard or rejected the Gospel in Heaven (Whosoever mocks the Son of Man it shall be forgiven him) but it's a very dangerous road to go down. Using the teachings of other religions to bring people to Jesus is also a tool for evangelism (see Paul's Mars Hill Sermon).
Because Quakers believe that different religions through different words and practices are still communicating with the one and only God.
Human beings often desire frills in their relationship with God. Quakers have no frills. God shows beautiful simplicity in the two most important commandments, living in the Fruit of the Spirit, and prayerful meditation.
so love that someone here mentions the Gospel of Thomas!
that would make him a christian heritic and that book isnt anywhere in the bible.
@@stevenw4334 Heresy is enlightening, beautiful, loving, and, as we Quakers are-something to learn from that is against the establishment of what some random Christian men decided for themselves what goes in the Bible and what goes in the fire. I also loved the Gospel of Thomas.
@@megara4068 Hardley random and hardly burned dramatics are cute tho You talking oh the Bible im guessing and what is the living word or just words, not all books are considered Holy only one is but there are a lot of religious books or beliefs. but I don't see anything being burned here in the states unless it is some kid in a cage in the middle east they have "holy" books too it gets burned with them. not all just about your feelings there is a God the gives choice and a free will to choose not anything someone made up. As we Quakers know over the years have been corrupted by that very choice. But hey its not the end of the Quakers just change the rules a little and say its divine.
@@stevenw4334 I honestly do not find any inspiration in the Bible. And when I speak about books that did not make the cut to be added into the compilation of the Bible, I am talking about choices that were made loooooong before the States existed.
I like it too because it shows open mindedness rather than rigid doctrinal thinking.
nice insight. - thanks. the last point is exactly also my point. i can't say, im a christian.. i don't even know, what i belive.. but Jesus was, for his time, a enormous forward thinking man, that teach a lot of basic things about be a nice and kind human being. in a lot of christian religions the focus shift away from what jesus said with the focus of his death.
❤
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The name Christian means follower of Christ. Maybe some Quakers are and some are not. The important thing is know is that Jesus is the way to eternal life. The Holy Bible is absolute truth.
It's is important because the bible tells us to take up our cross and follow Jesus, it says to not turn back to the plow, it tells us the Jesus is the truth and the light and through him comes eternal salvation.
Many Christans have died for there faith and relationship with Christ, to say it "dosen't matter" is to discount the faith.
This view of calling your self a Christans being "unimportant" would not fly in other countries. Where there is persecution you must chose to either follow Jesus or Follow the ruling authorities.
Quackerism is so loss on terms and accepting because it exists mainly in the free world. The western world where religion is a choice and we are asked to think on our own and form our own identities.
Most places in this world you are born and raised to follow the government or you family and you do not question that unless you wish to die. You are given an identity.
To be a Christan is to be willing to die for Christ. Be willing to carry his message while the rest of the world hates you and wants you dead.
To be a Christan is to have a relationship with the lord, it is to express his love to all, especially those who disagree with you and want to cause you harm.
Also this idea of quakersiam being what ever you feel it is, this is not original Quakerism. The originally Quakers much like the Baptists and Ana Baptists broke off from the larger protestant movement to follow what they believed to be true, they where persecuted and died for there belif. They belived in a certain flavor of Christianity and where unwilling to waiver in the face of death from other protestants and the Roman catholic church.
I would not die for Christ, it seems pragmatically pointless. But I would live by the positive teachings of how we interact and live with fellow human beings.
Willingness to prove loyalty to a faith vis willingness to die is the mindset of a cultist.
Me, I just go for the oatmeal
The first lady had a great point - what is a Christian?
Onky by defining that answer can we know if they are Christian.
But I must say, by evaluating their 9 beliefs, it's safe to say they are not Christian. What they believe does not align with scripture. That's not being mean, that's just my honest observation.
Christians as per scripture, are the chosen elect by Jesus Christ. What this fallen world deems to be Christian, is not based in truth. Truth is God's word, and God gave all judgement to the son, and it is therefore only up to Christ himself as to who is Christian and who is not.
@@tim-williams No, Christians are per scriptures those that are in the body of Christ.
The chosen elect can either mean those chosen for special offices, or the chosen 144,000 Jews in Revelation.
@@tim-williams Someone can be of the chosen elect by God, but it is also the individual's decision to accept salvation. They still must recieve Christ to become a Christian.
@@chickbowdrie4750 your wrong God the father doesn't choose you, he gave all judgement to the son John 5:22 I believe is one example of this truth. True Christians are those chosen from heaven by Christ himself.
Jesus says a Jew is one inwardly, nothing to do with the flesh or what the fallen world deems to be a Jew. What the world labels gentile, can be a Jew in Jesus's truth. Also you have to know Jesus to be saved, but most importantly Jesus must know you. And without Jesus you have not God the Father.
At the beggining of the video a lady said that JESUS is not the only way to the FATHER..this tells that they are not Christian..(followers of CHRIST)..
most quakers are christians but you will find some like in the anglican church who are more liberal
Here is what I am ‘hearing’ after watching several videos. Correct me if you feel I am off. This faith seems to be about our recreating Jesus in our own image... making Him into what WE want Him to be... what WE need Him to be... what WE think He should be... taking from Scripture what WE prefer and what makes US feel good and casting off the rest because it’s too ‘burdensome’. This feels ultimately man and experience centered. Everyone in your meeting has the freedom to be whatever they want to be rather than Scripture being the ultimate authority on spiritual matters, yes? Sin seems not to be an issue or something that needs to be dealt with? Scripture teaches that man is NOT good, in fact, the human heart is exceedingly wicked. It cannot be trusted. Left to itself, the human heart will always prefer to reject Christ as He has revealed Himself in Scripture to be. Would you say that all people have the light of Christ consciousness? Hitler? Stalin? Christians would say that everyone is created in the image of God, yes, but unless they are ‘born again’ (repent of sin and trust in Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection for Salvation) they do not have the light of Christ in them. Those who reject Christ? How can they still have the light within them? We were studying the difference between the Pilgrims, the Puritans and the Quakers... your videos caused me to chase a rabbit.
It is safe to say that you are completely incorrect.
Only nice people become Quakers, I imagine.
I totally agree with all you've said could not have worded it better myself ..
I think that the Quaker belief system generally holds that while all people may have capacity for bad they also all have capacity to be good, and the goal of the faith is the feed that light of goodness and rejecting the urge to dehumanize anyone.
Honestly since you are clearly curious about Quakers, you might as well head to your local meeting house and see what it is like for yourself. Even if you hate it, it’s pretty low stakes. No one is going to try to convert you.
Some are, some aren't.
Most are some aren’t.
But are Quakers even necessarily theist?
Many are, not all though. You do not have to believe in an actual deity to be Quaker, I certainly don't, and I still largely consider myself a Quaker.
Many Quakers, like my mom, are deist, so they think God has a much more passive approach to life in Earth. As opposed to my Baptist in-laws who think God has a direct have in everything that happens on Earth, almost that he is moving chess pieces.
Sorry that's a much more convoluted answer than you were probably looking for.
@@ivyedgington-rice6274 No it's a perfect answer. Thank you.
Usually, yeah not not necessarily.
What Holy Book do Quakers read
I read the bible
Quakers don’t seem to have a religious text which is why many refer to the Bible but it’s not required
This video is asking if Quakers are Christians.
ME: what's a Quaker? 🤔
Jerry Velasco they are pacifists
@@van7915
I'm thinking now I could of looked it up, but I didn't.
So thanks. 😌👍
ruclips.net/video/I63xA-VZGXw/видео.html
@@jerryvelasco1474they’re a less conformist religious group
Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. -1Peter 4:16
So a hard no?
I see they are being dodgy about worshipping Christ or not... What if a Muslim wanted to join Quakers? How would you talk with them?
Well, I seem to recall there being a Jewish family in my meeting so… we’d probably accept them as well. There’s even atheist members of my meeting. I’ve had Quakerism described to me as more a philosophy on how to live ethically than a religion with the stories behind those ethics.
Like oatmeal? Huh.
But not like the parrots or motor oil.
Actually no. Quaker oats did some really shady things. It's very interesting but please do not relate us to that awful company.
I think their is a slippery slope to say there are multiple paths to God. In the scriptures it specifically state there is only one way, through Jesus. I find Quakers interesting b/c I have Quakers in my lineage who left the old countries to come to the Americans seeking religious freedom but don't know much about it.
Would Quakers exist if Jesus didn’t?
Would any Christian faith exist if Jesus didn’t?
Hello Quakers. It was very nice seeing the video about you guys reading the Quran. It was very open minded on ur part. Do go to a nearby masjid/mosque and be comfortable talk about whatever is on ur mind. May Allah guide us all on the right path. there are open house discussions in universities, high schools, and and many other places. Do take care :)
GTFO
That's beautiful, thank you
@@faintvids7352I like 'em, would rather you weren't swearing at them.
Quaker
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Amish
Quaker
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Menonitas
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6.......God"s word
Should've known a fundie would show up here someday and use this exact verse.
YES! This Evangelical Friend agrees!
@@waynedowning5763I'm currently learning the tradition. Is an evangelical friend simply a friend that ties their practice to Christ and the bible or is there more to it than that?
Check out the story of George Fox, founder of the Society of Friends (later known as Quakers). The Evangelical Friends are and evangelical, conservative, offshoot of the original Society of Friends. Here's a good explanation of the EFC: ruclips.net/video/7lws_5xMjTg/видео.html@@raymonddunne7153
Yes. No one comes to God except through Christ, but who says that Christ is only found in Christianity?
Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life
He said in John 3:16 God so loved the world he gave his only son not condemn the world but that through him (meaning Jesus) the world might be saved
Jesus is the only way to heaven and your faith must be build on this truth..
God is most gracious to us humans in that he makes it abundantly clear why he sent Jesus to die for our sin. He is not willing that any should perish but have life ever lasting.
If we're not letting our lifestyle our values our statues but only speaking these things with our lips but not being felt then your not a follower of Christ Jesus
All of this is so interesting, what is a Christian? My answer, I guess would be one who believes Jesus' life, death on the cross, and resurrection is the only way to God. Like Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life no one cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6
Now, I've never known a "Christian" of any denomination to not believe it that way, have you and/or is there any?
Chloe's answer is profoundly unhelpful, because she wants to pretend that "What is a Christian?" is unanswerable. In fact, it is easily defined: A Christian is someone who believes that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior and that he died on the cross to atone for our sins.
We can go further and say that a Christian is anyone who agrees with the Nicene Creed.
If you don't agree with those statements, then you are not a Christian. You may still be a Quaker, but you're not a Christian. You may even believe in a God, but that doesn't make you a Christian.
If you’re not baptized you’re not christians. Period.
How very closed minded of you. 😂
@@harleyquinn5774 Baptism is what makes someone a Christian. I don’t make the rules take it up Jesus and the apostles.
@@benperry3380I don’t do blind obedience. I question and analyze.
@@benperry3380It doesnt.
@@temoamar7852 such a compelling argument
Ephesians 6:4-6
One Body Jesus Christ
One Spirit Jesus Christ
One Hope Jesus Christ
One Lord Jesus Christ
One Faith Jesus Christ
One Baptism Jesus Christ
One God Jesus Christ
One Father Jesus Christ
One Above All Jesus Christ
One Through All Jesus Christ
One In All Jesus Christ
Matthew 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
Luke 8:10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
Mark 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 5:43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
Jesus Christ name is Jesus Christ.
The Father will send the Holy Ghost in My Name: Jesus Christ
I am come in my Father Name: Jesus Christ
Father
Son
Holy Ghost
Titles
The Name is Jesus Christ
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Baptized in the name of Jesus Christ as Jesus Christ commanded.
Apostolic Oneness Pentecostal Christian
No love like Christian hate ^_^
Salvation comes through the blood of Jesus... how can one define Jesus without the divinity and call themselves Christian!? Pseudo Christianity is a false method, a lie. These folks seem to have more in common with New Age'ism (which is Luciferian) than with actual Christianity. I am sorry for the uncomfortable reality of my topic, but it has to be raised. Though these folks seem nice.
No, true, Jesus didn't use the word 'Christian'. That's because it was the name that opponents used to describe the first disciples, meaning 'followers of Christ'. Later His followers used it to describe themselves.
We can only know truth through the Bible and the Holy Spirit
They sure make some good ot mill
Oatmeal*
@@rachellabello1091 yes you've never seen Quaker oat mill on the shelf a walmart. Quaker style oatmill
Christians accept Jesus as their lord and Savior .3cheers from Canada
I do and I’m a Quaker.
@@mothafuckinanarchist5392 are you a Quaker first or a Christian first? Because Christ said we are one and equal in Christ Jesus, there can be no division > There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
@@tim-williams I’m a Christian first and a Quaker second. Frankly, I don’t see why my denomination (or Catholics, Lutherans, etc) are always the ones who need to prove our Christianity but not so called “non-denominational” Christians. We have ecumenical relations and view each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. “Non-denominationals” yell at people who go to wine tastings.
@@mothafuckinanarchist5392 right answer, yet in your name you call yourself a person who fornicates with mothers? Maybe you are just being true, maybe not?
@@tim-williams I made this account when I was 20 to anger people like you. Apparently it worked. Also, any man who marries the opposite sex is probably a mthfkr, literally.
😳 you guys are like a mixed up bag of Chex mix ....Jesus didn’t just bring love! He taught repentance and judgment after death and the wages of sin....which is death! 😕
I now understand that Jesus of Nazareth was a non dual teacher in the tradition of Advaita Vedanta as handed down by the ancient Rishi of India. The gospel of St Thomas which the mainstream Christian churches removed from their canons and purged the Cathars who were also non dual practitioners
Christianity isn’t a dualistic religion. It falls between nondualist and dualist because the light of God is within all people but not all people are literally God.