Could someone tell me a little about their experience as Quakers?

Question

I was raised Catholic, and grew up in a country were people don't know much about the Quakers. In fact, most people there mistake the Quakers with the Amish.

I've been away from religion in general, as I don't agree with many things the Catholics or the Protestants preach. Recently, I read some articles about the Quakers and to my surprise, I found the religion to be very close to my beliefs and I've been thinking about going to one of their meetings to find out more.

Is it possible for someone from that faith to tell me a little about their own experience?

Thanks in advance!

Thank you all for your answers. I understand that Codie had a bad experience, but perhaps that was an isolated incident. I live in a large American city and I don’t think that people here would act like that.

I’ve read Uncle Tom’s Cabin over thirty years ago, while studying American literature during my junior high years in Brazil. But it’s been such a long time that all I can remember is that it was a story about slavery regarding the relationship of an old African American man and a little white girl. I will buy a copy and I will read it again soon.

It was nice to hear it from someone that has a relative in the group. As I said, It is not well known in my country of origin which is predominantly catholic and their Pennsylvanian roots along with the image of an old man with a 17th century attire on the Oatmeal boxes, make people believe that they dress and live like the Amish. I’ll try to go to one of their meetings here in Palo Alto next Sunday.

Answer 1

My grandmother is quaker. They are very accepting and understanding people. They are pacifists so they truly do believe in turning the other cheek. They also do not believe in having heads of church because no one is equal to god or have better relationships than you do. They believe in personal salvation through self meditation and prayer. Basically if you want to be saved you will be saved and just because you don't attend church doesn't make you a bad person. They are very peaceful and humble people. They are all about equality in the eye of god. Which is proven by their support of the abolitionist movement and womens suffrage. Also they are very accepting to homosexual marriages.

if i had to compare them to any other religion it would be buddism with Christian beliefs.

And no they don't shun you away. Most quakers are normal everyday people like every other protestant or catholics.

Answer 2

well. quakers are a kind of protestatism. i think u'll have a great experience knowing these guys. Read the book "Uncle tom's cabin" there u'll learn much about them

Answer 3

i was a quaker but i was shunned from my village. it is actually a great life. however they are very traditional and ignorant. because i did not want to be a quaker anymore my family shunned me and nobody in my village including my family will communicate with me. it's a great way of life if you don't get shunned!