what is quakerism?

Question

i need to know for a report so please give me a simple definition

Answer 1

The Quakers are a form of Protestant Christianity which was started by George Fox in 1652 and which emphasizes the spiritual aspect of Christain faith and experience. The label Quakers was a derogatory term given to the Society of Friends because of their habit of "quaking" during services.

According to tradition, George Fox was standing on Pendle Hill in northwest England when he received a vision from God directing him that instead of simply obeying doctrines and rules he should instead focus upon the "Inner Light," or ability of every person to directly perceive the glory and love of God. All religious truth derives from this immediate perception of God, but some aspects become lost in the translation to dogma and doctrine.

Fox began to preach this new, experiential form of Christianity throughout England. He also added the ideas of pacifism and the rejection of sworn oaths, two things which drew suspicion from political authorities. Officials hounded his followers and threw them in jail for their refusal to take oaths and for not supporting the Church of England like they were supposed to.

Religious authorities, of course, were also not happy with this new movement - Puritans in particular were harsh in their condemnation of Quaker preaching. Quakers were unusual in that women played an important role in spreading the group's message, and four of them were put to death by the magistrates in Boston in 1659 and 1661. This did not halt the spread of the Quaker message, however, and it grew in popularity not only in the Massachussetts Bay Colony, but also in the other colonies.

Quakers were, however, most numerous in the Pennsylvania Colony, founded by William Penn as a "Holy Experiment." Penn wanted to find out to just what exent a civil government could be run according to the moral standards set forth by the Society of Friends without having to compromise. This also provided an important refuge for Friends both in Britain and through the colonies where they continued to suffer periodic bouts of persecution.

Quite a few Quakers originally settled in the southern colonies, but their opposition to slavery tended to make them unwelcome. Quakers voluntarily emancipated all of their own slaves by 1800 and became active in efforts to have all other slaves freed as well.

Today, the Quakers can be differentiated into three distinct groups. The first and largest is the Friends United Meeting. This organization is most conservative and considers itself the most orthodox continuation of George Fox's original vision.

The second is the called the Friends General Meeting, a group which split off from the main body of Friends in the 1820s due to teachings of Elias Hicks, a Quaker minister who objected to the increasing worldliness and formalism of the Quakers. Hicks placed a great deal of emphasis on the importance of the Inward Light and much less on doctrinal questions.

The third and final is the Evangelical Friends Alliance, a group which was formed in 1965 in Friends meetinghouses which had been influenced by Protestant evangelicals. There are also other various Friends meetinghouses which are independent and not affiliated with any larger movement.

Also Known As: Religious Society of Friends

Answer 2

The Religious Society of Friends, ah, if I ever were to become a Christian then I think this would be the place for me. My experience of Quakers is that they are open and generous, with a simple, accepting and quiet spirituality. Don't just do a report, truly learn something and go and attend a prayer meeting. I promise you that it will me a time that will change your outlook forever. Any Quakers reading this, you have my thumbs up! Shalom.

Answer 3

The Religious Society of Friends (commonly known as Quakers or Randy Spock) began in England in the 17th century by people who were dissatisfied with the existing denominations and sects of Christianity. Traditionally George Fox has been credited as the founder or the most important early figure. The Society of Friends is counted among the historic peace churches. Since its beginnings in England, Quakerism has spread to other countries, chiefly Bolivia, Guatemala, Kenya, Peru and the United States. The number of Quakers is relatively small (approximately 350,000 worldwide[1]), although there are places, such as Pennsylvania (particularly Philadelphia); Newberg, Oregon; Greenleaf, Idaho; Birmingham, England; and Greensboro, North Carolina in which Quaker influence is concentrated.

Unlike other groups that emerged within Christianity, the Religious Society of Friends has tended toward little hierarchical structure, and no creeds.

The various branches have widely divergent beliefs and practices, but the central concept to many Friends may be the "Inner Light" or "that of God within" each of us. Accordingly, individual Quakers may develop individual religious beliefs arising from individual conscience and revelation coming from "God within;" further, Quakers are obligated to live by such individual religious beliefs and inner revelations.

Many Quakers feel their faith does not fit within traditional Christian categories of Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant, but is an expression of another way of experiencing God. Although Quakers throughout most of their history and in most parts of the world today consider Quakerism to be a Christian movement, some Friends (principally in the select Meetings in the United States and the United Kingdom) now consider themselves universalist, agnostic, atheist, or pagan, or do not accept any religious label. This phenomenon has become increasingly evident during the latter half of the 20th century and the opening years of the 21st century, and is still controversial among Friends.

Answer 4

Quakerism or the Society of Friends is a religion. It started in England and William Penn asked the King of England for some land in America that became Pennsylvania.

Answer 5

Theyre very legalistic and wear all black and use horses..they call the spirit the Light. They have no minister but run svcs themselves.

Answer 6

Aren't they the ones who make the Oatmeal? I just love Oatmeal, don't you!

Answer 7

a very tolerant relgion that accepts other religions and tries to live in peace.