What Do Quakers Believe?
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- Опубликовано: 2 июл 2024
- What do Quakers believe? As an experiential religion with no creed, there isn’t always an easy answer. We asked 26 Quakers about belief, and the resulting conversations were powerful.
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Transcript:
George Lakey: I believe that there is a spirit that delights to do no evil. (laughs) A spirit that yearns for me to be happy and to be able to connect on deep levels with other people. A spirit that wants me to search and to find, and to act. A spirit that wants me to be responsible and at the same time to be bold and take risks.
What Do Quakers Believe?
Max Carter: Quakers describe themselves as a non-credal religious body. We don’t have our beliefs set out in formulaic expressions, like the Apostles’ Creed or the Nicene creed. The experience of Friends is that religion and spirituality ought to be a direct, immediate experience of one’s own encounter with God.
Patricia McBee: George Fox, the founder of Quakerism, one of the earliest Friends, said that “You can say that Christ sayest this and the scriptures sayest that, but what canst thou say?” What do you know from your own experience?
“That of God in Everyone”
Jane Fernandes: Quakers see that of God in every person. I think that’s fundamental, and when you see that of God in everyone-that’s everyone-that changes everything.
Valerie Brown: The christ consciousness-the belief that each person has within them an energy that is unalterable of goodness-that is available to every single person, no matter your circumstance, no matter what you have done or not done or said or did or had or didn’t have. You don’t have to dress fancy on Sunday; you don’t have to speak a certain way; you don’t have to study a certain kind of text. Who a person is, by their very nature, we have that availability of God.
Mark Judkins Helpsmeet: So I would put that right at the core: this universal experience. And, that we’re usually distracted from that experience by something that grabs our attention, and our world is set up to distract us. So I think that at the center of Quaker belief, if you will, is this common-held knowledge, is that the way that you get to what’s real is that you clear off the distractions.
Waiting Worship
Lloyd Lee Wilson: For many folks coming into Quaker meeting for worship who aren’t already familiar with it, there aren’t many cues to indicate what’s going on, and it sometimes seems like we’re having worship based on silence but in fact something very different is going on. Sometimes this is called “expectant waiting;” in my yearly meeting, it’s more often called “waiting worship.”
Greg Williams: The uniqueness is that you’re sitting, waiting to be touched and to be moved. God is there, and God may not come to you in the way that you expect. If you’re centered, you can have a sense of that presence that’s within you.
Laura Goren: Through quieting ourselves, quieting our ego, quitting our racing mind, we can access that truth for ourselves and together as a community, that truth of where we are being led together. And that’s a mystical thing, I can’t explain that logically.
Kevin-Douglas Olive: When we come together in that reality, and we seek to be humble in that reality, we find ourselves connected in an intimate way. Sitting in silence with a group of people Sunday after Sunday, that’s as intimate as I can think of within a community like that.
We Are All Ministers
Ingrid Lakey: As a Quaker, I believe that we all have access to the divine, that spirit is available to us, there is God in everyone-including me-and that we don’t need an intermediary to be in contact with the divine. The divine is always with us.
Margaret Webb: Quakers believe that each person has a ministry, has a call, has something that the spirit is calling them to do, and because of that we believe that each of us has gifts, and that we each have a role in our meeting community. So we each minister to each other, within a Quaker community.
Deborah Suess: We believe that Christ is present, that Christ will speak directly to us, that you sure don’t need a pastor to do it for you.
More: fdsj.nl/belief
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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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FILMED & EDITED by Jon Watts: jonwatts.com
Why don't Quakers observe Holy Communion if it's a commandment given by Jesus to his followers?
I'm a Buddhist but I think Quakers are lovely. Beautiful religion.
Right back at you. Any religion that values peace both inwards and outwards is a Friend to me.
Being Buddhist and following the first precept is incompatible with Quakerism. Quakers have committed the most horrendous atrocities against animals and were almost single handedly responsible for wiping out the Great Whale from the Atlantic Ocean. Their barbarism against these creatures were second to none.
I practice buddism also, and I see similarities .buddism spread BC, west of Asia, and Jesus was possibly practicing buddism. I'm trying to find more on the history of quakers because I bet there is a connection in history to buddism.
@@bugsea54not a direct one that I can think of except a certain joy of finding shared values as Friends opened up to the non Abrahamic traditions… first sadly in missionary work after the British Empire opened up the path. The obvious connection if any is this - Quakerism was founded by a disaffected youth who looked at the spiritual teachers of his day and found them lacking, turned to silent contemplation, felt himself inwardly enlightened, then set about to share that experience as possible for anyone… very different context (classical Asia and a philosophy based on the Holy Vedas v Civil War late medieval early modern England with a philosophy based on the Holy Bible) but Buddhism I believe has a similar origin in terms of its founding figure, his spiritual experience, and his message
Just a side note on Jesus. He was definitely a Jew from all his Old Testament quotes… however the Essene mystical movement was popular in Palestine at that time and Jesus certainly had connections to that being a follower of John the Baptist… and being on the Silk Road it’s entirely possible that Essene philosophy had been influenced by both Hindu mystic and Buddhist ideas emerging from trade routes
@@minui8758 Interesting information, thank you. While I am sure Jesus was searching and entwining his religions, when he was put on the cross, I think he used deep meditation to withstand the pain, which was pretty amazing for those to see. I am mixing my belief systems and searching too. I was brought up by a Greek Orthodox turned Atheist mom and recently found out my grand father on my dads side had a branded number on his arm and with a German last name which he changed coming over here, I suspect he was Jewish. So now I am really interested in the Jewish practices, but I definitely lean towards Buddhism, which speaks to my soul.
Been searching for a denomination that matched my beliefs. Took a belief net quiz and matched quaker. I feel like it may be a perfect fit
My wife and I went through this experience today. Looking forward to the search 😊
At 61, it feels as if I have found my spiritual home.
Lol..me too...I'm 62!! When I found these vids, it was very emotional.
I'm only 32 but grew up in a church that shouted aggressive, divisive politics... So this is refreshing.
Read your bible
I listen to the Spirit within. I do not need a lesser spiritual person advise through their social interactions. They just haven't found their Centre their Light within. Am I a Quaker? No I'm not. Am I a Listener? Yes I am.
Thanks for this video. I think I've always been a quaker and am just waking up to it :) I'll go to my first meeting this weekend
Interesting! Would you like to share your thoughts? I discovered it today and I'm really curious now.
Update? Thanks
ME TOO! and I am a descendant I was called back to home!
Jocelyn Darling Hi Jocelyn, your same words from 2 years ago apples to me today. I am curious if you are in the same opinion today. Do you mind share the experience ? Thank you. Márcio.
Yeah. I grew up in very authoritarian types of churches in the Pentecostal and evangelical flavors of both the most loving outreaches and the most loathsome in practice. For me, the best spiritual experiences i had weren't doing laps around the church while singing or while reading scripture; but working the food give away of tiny church of 15 people feeding 500 families a week. Speaking to homeless people like they are my peers and crossing the cararick rope bridge in northern Ireland during a storm of gail force winds to be blessed with the parting of tbe sun when i reached the grassy knoll on the otherside which was when i decided i no longer wanted to commit suicide and would fight for my wellness. I think that in many ways limiting god to a man-made concept that can be contained within the confines of human intelligence completely undermines the whole purpose of divinity which is greater than anything imaginable. So why do religious people put limits on god and judge people as "other" for not doing the "right" faith practice no matter how exploitative, abusive and brainwashing a systematic ignorance into their practitioners. Yeah... Kinda makes sense. Also, I'd rather be a quaker than an atheist. I like the idea of letting your life speak
I’ve been getting more and more into quakerism and learning that there are people who feel the same as me is such a beautiful feeling. I’m attending my first meeting very soon!
Thank you for posting these! I'm post LDS Mormon and I feel like Quakerism is what I've been seeking for many many years.
I am also a former Mormon. The Quaker movement and the Anabaptists are something that I am strongly drawn to. Unfortunately there are no meetings of either fellowship in my area.
Once after the rise of Meeting so many people said to each other,"Did you feel it?" Yes, I did and I knew what they were talking about.
this comment gave me goosebumps
I didn’t know I was a Quaker until now.
I'm an ex-mormon. I'm on a faith journey. I'm looking at several religions, several arguments against religion, everything from as many sides as possible. I'm learning so much and gaining insight in many places. I'm enjoying everything I'm learning about Quakers. I'm enjoying certain aspects of Unitarian Universalists, of secular Buddhism, of paganism. And I hope to find more to add to this list.
I'm also on a similar journey as yours. Right now I'm questioning my catholicism, learning more about the faith I was raised in, and learning about all other beliefs (even non-belief), in hopes of finding where I feel my heart would belong.
@whoareyoutoaccuseme6588 I've heard mormonism and catholicism both be called "high demand religions." I prefer that term instead of "cult" even though the B.I.T.E. model proves mormonism has many qualities of a cult.
In mormonism, I was always told, "We have the fullness of the gospel/the Restoration/all the answers/more truth than anywhere else. There is no need to look at other religious beliefs. They don't have truth. They only have confusion and bickering."
I'm really feeling free as I explore. I'm not expecting anyone to have "all the answers" because I don't think we're supposed to have all the answers. Just hearing other ideas about who God is, why were here, and what the afterlife might be like and various philosophies is very exciting to me. I think I should take a world religion class at the nearby community college. 🤔 But I'm also seeing what I need to feel spiritually fulfilled without some church leadership telling me what I need.
@@unicorntamer2207 You hit the nail in the head. Many Catholics hold their faith in such a high pedestal because they believe it is the ONE TRUE church, the one the disciple Peter founded in Rome, and that every other denomination is just a means for Satan to confuse us.
My idea is similar to yours: every belief on earth is equal in that they just a means for humans to ponder the about their purpose and olace in the universe. It just so happens that some believe that that they hold only truth.
But that can't be it. Since nobody has absolute proof that they're right besides scripture and historical accounts with unreliable crdibility, and faith.
I think what they say is right: we are all agnostics -- even the atheists -- because none of us has concrete proof that we are correct. No one has THE answers.
I've always thought about it that way after I studied World Religions in high school: they're all just different models humans use to ponder non-physical concepts, such as the concept of the divine, in such a way that could easily be accepted and integrated in their culture.
Personally I like having faith in something, but only on something with an ideology I can identify with. I was so certain that I was lucky to be raised in Catolicism, but after analyzing everything it demands from its adherents, as well as all the disgusting hypocrisies that happens within its doors everyday, I am not so sure about it anymore.
I am also a former Mormon on a searching spiritual Sojourn. I find myself drawn to the Quakers and Anabaptist faith. Unfortunately there are neither churches in my area.
No SENHOR JESUS CRISTO podemos encontrar plena vida e paz.
ELE É O VERDADEIRO DEUS E A VIDA ETERNA:1Jo.5:20-21.
Invoque-O e tenha intimidade com nosso MARAVILHOSO SENHOR E DEUS!
Um abraço! Pr. Cássio Roberto- Brasil.
It does change everything. This shift happened to me radically as an atheist/agnostic all my life. As soon as that shift in the quality of my experience accompanied the recognition that the trace of God and the infinite is in everyone... Which means the closer we get to each other, the closer we get to God, to heaven, to the Kingdom!... Here... In you... On earth...
I believe all these things - you have tapped into my heart! I grew up in a very judgmental and fearful church setting. So I left the church when I was old enough to go against my parents will to stay in the church. I've never gone back but I have still often felt Christ right beside me. I would love to attend a meeting of Friends as a like minded community of loving and kind folk really appeal to me. I would also love my kids to grow up in an environment that teaches kindness and openness to spirit, without the judgement, bigotry, and persecution that I experienced in my youth.
The more quaker videos I watch on RUclips, the more I think these people are on to something.
For being a Christian theology, Quakers sure have some Hindu-like beliefs and practices (seemingly more dvaita or vishishadvaita). Inspiring video!
Om Namah Shivaya
🧡🕉🙏
Jesus said “The kingdom of god is within”. I like the gospel of Thomas. Very eastern in thought.
This was quite an experience. I don’t know what drew me to see this video, but with every minute of it I felt like this is meant to happen somehow. I was born and raised as an atheist. I can’t say I was searching for something spiritual. But I’m gonna look them up in my city.
I'm an Atheist but I believe in the utility of God and I've been thinking I should join a church to be part of a community and teach my kids that community is important but I feel like a fraud doing so.
I was also drawn to this video, looked up a meeting near me and I live less than a block away from a "Friends Church". Looks like it was meant to be! Did you find a meeting? How'd it go? I'm trying to talk my husband into going with me.
@@katrinah1898 yes, I’ve found a “fellowship of friends”, and I’m attending their monthly “silent prayer” the first Sunday of September.
@@katrinah1898 Friends Churches are actually a different branch that broke away from the more traditional Friends (such as those featured in this video) about 250 years after the beginning of Quakerism. Friends churches do have paid clergy and while they sometimes incorporate a period of silent worship they are more similar to a traditional Protestant Christian Church in that their services are "programmed". If you want to experience the more traditional practice of silent worship, you have to find a Friends Meeting. You will know it because the word Church will not be anywhere in the name.
@Kindred Gottlieb-Gutierrez good to know. We did end up going to the Friends Church. I thought I'd give it 2 months. They were nice people but it was a traditional church.
Todos mis problemas eclesiásticos a lo largo de los ultimos 40 años se han disipado oyendo y leyendo vuestros comentarios y libros. Muchas gracias por vuestra misión y un gran abrazo desde España donde desgraciadamente no encontramos Amigos fácilmente. Resulta que sin saberlo llevó siendo cuaquero muchos años.
Omg I’m a Quaker and didn’t even realize it. Some people speaking here are speaking of my exact philosophies of life and of god.
this what Rumi said over 8-9 hundred years ago, if you looking for God , God is everywhere yet within in you and within every cell and every fiber of you. if you don't know anything than learn the alfabet of your heart language and learn the most purest way of your understanding.
God’s Word is clear on how we are to approach Him...🙏
Yeah but jesus said I am the way the truth and the life
@@bensanders8443
Respectfully, I like him the most but he didn't live long enough to help humanity.
@Adeline Bennett
You welcome dear, stay safe and healthy.
Jesus is the Divine Alphabet of the human heart. In the Bible's book of Revelation(22:13), Jesus says, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."
think I found my people! My ancestors came to America as Quakers and I love these ideals!
Firmly believing in peace elevates your peace of mind.
Im a Quaker. God is love. Jesus is the example of how to enact that love.
Do Quakers discern between good and evil?
Jesus is God.
@@Samperor is he?
@Paul Pugh He choose to be free from God. Is he letting this happen or did "we" did this to ourselves.
@@Samperor Depends on if you believe in the Trinity or not. Some Christian faiths do, some don't, and some lie somewhere inbetween.
This is a beautiful video. Thanks for everyone who contributed to it!
While I'm listening, the way the Quakers believe,resonates with my beliefs as well!!!
As I watched this I was thinking of all the people to whom I'm going to send a link to the video. This video was masterfully done, with the usual high production values; this may be the best "explainer" we can put out there. Thank you, Jon Watts and Friends Journal!
What a nice church =)
There a lot of Quakers here in Pennsylvania. Actually, without Quakers, there would be no Pennsylvania lol. I didn't realize they believed in these teachings.
Pennsylvania = = Penn's woods
@@2Ryled Nope lol. There are active Quakers in Philadelphia. They even operate a prestigious school, Friends Select.
Sure you are not confusing them with the Amish or Mennonites??
@@Shazzyhtown I belonged to a quaker meeting house as a child. My grandmother and aunt married in that meeting house. Went to quaker Sunday school there. Went to 2 very well known quaker schools and attended worship there weekly. I am aware of the quaker schools in the area and even colleges that really aren't quaker any more. Their words not mine via ph discussion. I even mowed and weeded a quaker cemetery as a kid. Got on hands and knees and cut weeds from around graves. I live near Mennonite and Amish ordnungs. Would see them weekly.
@@2Ryled Ahh you have true PA roots! lol. Funny thing is now I live in Texas and its harder to find Quakers or Mennonites down here. There is a small Amish community near Forth Worth though. Mennonites are in a community in Central Texas. Brisket BBQ is nice of course, but I miss sampling Pennsylvania Dutch food. I can imagine all three groups stick out in my new(overly proud and patriotic) state. =)
Heck PA has Quakertown lol
Righteous! This was really cool. I’m glad that I felt compelled to learn about the quakers - thank you for this!
I'm black and Muslim and I respectfully form Quakers besides they are very live helping people.
Wonderful video! Hello from the Denver friends meeting! God bless you and keep you in the Light!
I have been binge watching different videos about Quakers. Its beautiful and the equality of humanity and none judgment is wonderful. ❤
This was great ! I saw a meeting for Quakers here in Detroit. Thank you for the insight 👌🏾
How interesting! Thanks for sharing!
My great great grandfather was a Friend, of Mount Holly,NJ died in 1909, but he is always with me and guides me.
My ancestry on my maternal grandfathers side was predominantly Quaker, but I'm Jewish and I notice there seems to be a similar feeling of connection when we both talk about our practice.
We have a lot of Quaker-Jewish folks here in Pasadena, CA at Orange Grove Friends meeting.
Quakers seem very nice and it seems nice for introverts. Personally I like the communication, singing and style of traditional Christian services but maybe I'll attend sometime.
Yeah, unfortunately, Unprogrammed Quakers don't do much singing. One is always free to stand and sing if they are moved to, however.
I'm really enjoying this video!!
I think it's really very simple. If it's true God is all about loving & doing good in the world then people should take care to be all about loving & doing good in the world too.
What you say is true and even if a small amount of people believe this we change the world. The Quakers have only done good and tried to heal, never negative and never violent. God doesn’t judge us so I surely can’t, only myself.
@@TheForkedtoungue To me Quakerism has been the most reasonable & desirable of the Christian sects ever since its 17th Century inception. What a positive revolution in spiritual & moral thinking George Fox introduced to the world. The tragedy is how few people throughout history have taken its lovely teachings to heart.
I totally think I am a closet Quaker I have never seen anything that is exactly how I think of God and Jesus the world people Etc I am really excited about this
Thank you, Friends.
I'm here to learn the history The Quakers. I've learned my Grandfather 5 generations back,Daniel Boone was a Quaker!! I see and realize the Quakers are spiritually connected to the Lord!! Beautiful people, I will say!!
My core experiences lead me to God and in that Journey my family history Irish/Scottish Immigrants to seek out Quaker Beliefs connected to that history.I felt it describes my beliefs and by example truer to me than the label of Christianity and it's history by example.I didn't realize Quakers were still around...study time again❤I'm so overjoyed to find these videos and this knowledge ..it fits me like a glove❤
Doing research on family history. My 4th great grandmother was in ohio. Came over from siglo Ireland mcgirr/ McClintock. Thank you for the educational video. My 3rd great was Wilson. With this video I believe they were great people.
Finally a smart belives i relate to...i fill refreshed and actually relieved theres so many of you just like me .
Excuse my ignorance, i only heard about Quakers in historical books on independence war. I didn’t know you guys even existed today. Pardon me, Quakers oatmeal. Thank you for showing insight your beliefs.
Very good video. I appreciate everyone's sharing, one quibble around the 6 minute mark- the word Pastor, at least in the Lutheran tradition is called that to distinguish them from a priest, who would be an intermediary to God, that we are all connected to the creator directly and that the Pastor is more like a shepherd for the congregation leading and organizing, not creating the connection with God. Not total sure if what I say holds up in the context of communion for the different Lutheran traditions but just wanted to bring up the distinction between Pastor and Priest. The only protestants I know of with priests are Anglicans and Episcopalians.
Thank you very much for your witness with these videos, as someone who is attending a Quaker meeting they are very informative.
What beautiful and hopeful testimonies something worth discovering
I want to join the quakers!!
Wow!! I just became a Quaker
Thanks for this video about Quakers
They seem my kind of people and my kind of church. I've always been interested in them.
Quakerism is the future of Christianity. A Quaker like understanding and approach is how we will reach the world in these last days
perhaps its not the same because we are online but i fetl moved to add this comment. I never spoke once in the years between k-12 which i attended quaker meeting but i just want to express my love for this theology its the only one ive ever found thats consistently loving of all people no matter who they are or what they look like and i find it an incredibly powerful thing. I idenitfy personally as non theist quaker (quaetheist) but its because of how much i believe in the SPICES that i feel its meaningful to define myself separately from traditional atheism. I love tom hoopes too he really got me to explore this aspect of my life and i apprecitate him so much
Belief. That is the common theme in describing religions, and denominations. But for Friends/Quakers belief is not what our spiritual is centered on, nor concerned with. I speak for many, though directly from my experience. We Friends do not believe this or that; we have an experience of the divine. We do not recite creeds nor appeal to creedal. Just as no one says "I believe there is a sun up in the sky" or says "I believe it rises in the East and sets in the West" ---- no one says that because we see it with out own eyes and it is confirmed by others. Not a matter of belief. And so it is, that spiritual illumination by the Inner Light is an experienced fact. Whereas who can say honestly "Jesus died on the cross and arose three days later" because no one living was there. But many whether Quaker or not can say "i have experience love in my heart; I have had a redeeming experience that has brought me into the Light". ... Hence, I prefer that we Quakers not discuss belief, but experience and knowledge.
Million have experienced Christ's sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection in their hearts! And their experience is confirmed by the Bible.
So if you don't even believe Jesus died on the cross for our sins, what is the point? You're a heretic.
My faith is a living by ethics with a strong moral code which influences my every thought and action. It is this truth through compassion and humility for every living thing.
God is Love dwelling in your hearts; so the Kingdom of heaven is within you. When you realize this truth, your life will sing the music of Love.
I love this
I don't mind silence, other people around me are uncomfortable with it and I've been shown I should feel uncomfortable with it. So I've learned to feel uncomfortable being silent with other people, but in grasping frantically for something to say...I can't think of anything to say. 🤦♀️
I live near an ancient quaker burial site
I'm not a Quaker, but my beliefs seem to seem quite similar. I believe every living creature contains the spark of God, and deserves to be treated with respect and kindness. I find I can relate to our Creator or maybe the Spirit of God anywhere, especially out in creation. Finding a quiet place on a mountain, a beach, or over looking a beautiful field usually makes our conversation easier. I feel my spiritual quest is a journey and can't wait to see where it will lead me next !
Hey, I've got a question. When the Bible says, "Men love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil," or are you going to believe what Jesus Himself said or stick with the whole "every living creature contains the spark of God" idea? Yes, we should treat every human being with respect, but his not every human being in his or natural state a blind, fallen sinner in need of redemption?
I'm agnostic. But I do like the diversity of Christianity. Especially in their meditative practises. Wether it's silent worship in a friend's meeting. Evensong or taize service in a Unitarian/ Angelican setting. Anyone agree?
amen
There are many good Christian traditions and churches out there. Find one that will draw you closer to God!
I feel like this is one denomination that appeals to agnostics. I took feel mostly agnostic, but trying very hard to be a " believer"
@@williamrushby2140 Amen to that.
I love your videos! I'm a member of the United Church of Christ, where all Christian beliefs are accepted. But I'd love to visit a friend's meeting one day :)
jungle305 yes they do
Brother you would be very welcome. We welcome everyone. Peace and blessings from Ireland.
Yup, a good religious sect. I'm an atheist, but if I have to choose a Christian religion, I'd choose to be a Quaker.
Absolutely agree, God is in us!!!!
Hi. THANK YOU
I find mystery drawn to the Quaker and Anabaptist faiths. I have been searching since I left Mormonism decades ago. Unfortunately there are no Friends meetings in my rural area.
You hear so much in the silence.
That sounds like Buddhism. I'm intrigued.
No offense but you may have a poor understanding of Buddhism then.
my 8th great uncle was a great man
Hallelujah ❤
I want to go to a quaker worship this summer because I am keen on discovering this belief. But I don’t go church so I don’t know what to do also the fact that I don’t know anyone there..
4:50 "Sitting in silence with a group of people Sunday after Sunday, that's as intimate as I can think of within a community" is indeed an astounding & deeply rich experience I am lucky to share while mindfully meditating with people I didn't know 2 yrs ago and with whom I can progressively share intimate experiences.
It can be intimidating to go to a Quaker meeting for the first time. Check out our "What to Expect in Quaker Meeting for Worship" video -- ruclips.net/video/hxjH4sa2RFI/видео.html -- it may demystify things a bit. And find a Quaker meeting near you at www.friendsjournal.org/meeting-listings . Good luck!
Just show up at meeting time with your ego in your hip pocket and tell them that you want to learn about Quakerism and Friends Meetings....
I just went for the first time last weekend. It was very awesome! If you feel awkward in the silence, you can pick up the local faith and practice book and read, no one will judge you as you do. I can't wait to go back Sunday... I have never said that in my life about church.
You could go to your local meeting but if you don’t have one you could try and find the yearly meeting in your state which has many different meeting meet in the summer for like a week and learn about Quaker’s and see what it’s kinda like.
Jesus fulfilled religion and I still appreciate those who mention it, in their comments, as if Jesus being God is a religion and not simply a uniting fact.
Going to my 1st meeting tomorrow
Being responsive to the spirit sometimes needs and requires support, quakers have versions of this but really struggle with strong girders to support one another in their community, though a very beautiful religion. The world can be so far away from what it needs to ve, community and support is called for and required to keep out of danger and to help nourish the directions when being responsible and faithful to our purpose
For some reason I'm hungry for quaker steaks now.
Hi, friends
I believe that there is a spirit that likes to do no evil, a spirit that yearns for me to be happy and to be able to connect on deep levels with other people, a spirit that wants me to search and to find and to act, a spirit that wants me to be responsible, and at the same time, to be bold and take risks...what a profound and beautiful belief.
Throughout my life, I've interacted with all sorts of religions. Protestants, Catholics, Buddhists, Muslims, Taoists. I ended up becoming an atheist for years as I felt that the concept of eternal damnation and conversion did not sit well with me. I am also an evolutionist and I believe that the Earth is 4.5 billion years old.
I am a pacifist and a tolerant person who believe in equality of all, so I felt that Quaker values align closely with mine. As a Northern Irish who have learned about sectarianism causing senseless violence during the Troubles, I feel strongly towards pacifism.
I do read the Bible, especially Jesus' teachings. I'm unsure if the Bible is historically accurate, but I still find value in aspiring to live like Jesus Christ.
However, I went through a hard time during Covid and a difficult seperation. So many people of all walks of life went the extra mile to help me unconditionally when I was in need. I realised God isn't an old man in heaven but God is within all of us. It is our choice to honour God by being kind, generous and accepting of others.
I find that meditation and silent worship shares many similarities. Not only is it beneficial for mental health, it helps us to connect with God and our higher self, which is very difficult in the modern world that is full of distractions.
I know exactly what you mean,I'm from Glasgow and,as a young boy used to go to Ibrox and sing songs I had no idea about its history, and was almost brought up to hate catholic s even though I never even knew what a Protestant was or the history of both,I then joined the army and spent over 3 n a half years in northern Ireland and saw firsthand how religion can be and is the cause of most ears across the world with million upon million dying needlessly.i hate violence,greed of politicians and would love peace where everyone lived in harmony and helped one another.i like this outlook and belief and will be studying it now,I agree with all I have heard so far
The link to the Friends Journal isn't working.
Rules to aspects are two different things
You may not want to learn
But one day in your own speech you're going to think it.
What is the Quaker opinions on Gods Laws, Precepts and Commandments? Are they valid today or not? My family came with William Penn and I have generations of Quakers and I am curious about beliefs of Quakers.
practicing silence doesn't prohibit using words in prayer.
Interesting
you talk of christ consciousness and your worship looks like and appears to be very much like meditation....im not famiiar with what a quaker is but from hearing and seeing this, we clearly are on the same page....just wow! all are connected one love woop woop :)
Go deeper
Read the Bible. Looking "within" or mediating on something outside the revelation of God's Word is not going result in true, spiritual illumination. Jesus said, "Search the Scriptures, for they were written all about Me."
The guy who spoke at the end, who said, "Here in Homewood": I think I know him! Did/does he live in the Washington D.C./Baltimore or Pittsburgh area?
Yes, he lives in Baltimore. You can find a full video with him here: ruclips.net/video/GdmnUQQzEsU/видео.html
So true all the way through I think I'm a Quaker
And I'm only in the first three minutes post you later
The purpose religion can achieve upon the individual and teachings itself remaining current to present are itself what allows guidance towards the inner path to remain persistence. How one understands oneself according to their relationship with God e.g. divine intervention and why gods grace never fails.
Stillness is a practice what i assume Our God has as natural way. Since we want to hold on to believe there is a God whom decided to create us along with our surroundings and other humans and how nice to call each other friends which technically also means to me dear and neighbors indicates the Quakers’ Path is correctly laid and understood by pure hearts. Also Quakerism seems also as similar to Mevlana Rumi’s of Sufis way who calls all sinners to their meetings who wants to see God as a Lover and for whom seeks Deep relation with Divinity and Love in the Divine.
Hay quakeros en Argentina?
so some spirit that is being spoken isnt the holy spirit or just some spirit of motivation that comes from within as if each indivitiual is as a gd? this the usually quaker way or what original quaker way or is this moderism?? any one like to direct respond what is going on is welcome.
What Spirit are you referring to???
I agree with the view of Quakers in so many ways, though I am more convicted & certain of Jesus being the way & a necessity. I have good reason for this.....All my life I "believed" in God, praying, studying, etc., but I didn't necessarily follow very well. One night I completely gave my life to him with full commitment. I laid in bed & every time I closed my eyes I saw myself in hell, facing my demons. It became terrifying & wouldn't stop, but then I saw Jesus on a cross in the middle of a storm. I also realized that I was laying as a man on a cross. I begged & I begged him to take my demons away, which he did. This happened 3 times, reminding me of his 3 days before raising from the dead. After the 3rd time I had peace & I saw a book opened, which I believe was his book of life. I was shown that my life had a path & that I would have signs/symbols to help along the way (which has came true, especially through dreams & such). I was taken to the outside of heaven, which I turned down entry, believing it would mean the end of my life, but I chose to stay to fulfill my duties as a father & a servant. I was then shown many celebrating I suppose the unselfish decision which I had made & then I was shown that I would be cleaned up, which came true. It wasn't long & the holy spirit began teaching me, opening my eyes to see things much differently, leading me to better understand my missteps & to make some big changes in my life. Before this night I often had nightmares of falling or of being chased by snakes, both being warnings of the path that I was on. Today I often have dreams that I help chase snakes away from other people & though not perfect, I try to follow through, witnessing & helping others to better know Jesus & to better understand many things in this world, which confuse us, endanger us, & take us off of our path & far from the shepherd.
You would not be alone among Friends
Vida Para Todos
I thought I would have to start a new religion to have something close to what I believe in. Turns out I may have been a Quaker all this time. lol
5:16 god is present. Don't need a pastor to speak to or hear god for us. Divine is always with us.
JOHN 14:6 I AM THE WAY THE TRUTH THE LIFE , NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME - JESUS.
💚💚💚
The Quakers Were All Watching As Enea Vico Failed To Wait For Anebone In His Performance Of Euripides
Joh 14:16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper so He may be with you forever-
Joh 14:17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him. You know Him, because He abides with you and will be in you.
Weren’t Quakers originally extremely devout and studious of the Bible? This video make it seem that the most important thing how one feels rather than study of the Bible. When did the desire to achieve holiness by following the laws of the Bible seem to disappear? This video just causes the rise of more questions than answers. It’s like Quaker’s now, aren’t even Quaker’s, but rather people who are buying into the “feel good” side of religion. How does one understand life without any sort of sacrifice?
Who told you they have not sacrificed?
Steve, the faith of many contemporary Friends differs radically from the Quaker tradition. The way you seem to understand historic Quakerism is only partly accurate, but you highlight some elements of Quaker faith often missing in liberal Quakerism.
I am a Friend that is processing through my understanding of how my peace testimony meets the current state where I feel people in power are not showing their Light of God. I believe that peace is the answer and that there is that of God in everyone and would welcome more resources to explore how to reconcile this with the importance of standing against the active hatred displayed by those with political power.
I relate most to quakerism but I don’t believe in god and whenever I try and force myself to I just can’t.. can anyone help me find my religion?
Maybe you're just spiritual. You don't HAVE to have a religion. It does feel good to be a part of something, I get it...but we weren't born to have a label on us.
Check out Paul Tillich.
Definitely interact with my Beliefs, although I'm not saying I'm a Quaker