About Quakers
Beliefs of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Members of the Religious Society of Friends (called Friends or Quakers) historically have not subscribed to a creed or catechism. Basic features and aspects of Quakerism include:
- Quakers actively seek the truth and believe that no one person or any group knows the whole truth.
- Quakers believe in continuing revelation and that religious truth is constantly unfolding.
- The Bible is a primary source for finding truths, as are the sacred books from all other religious traditions.
- Other sources in which truths are sought are: science and nature, human history, meditation, and gathering together in worship in silence, spiritual and personal experience.
- Each is asked to re-examine, reinterpret, and re-evaluate his/her insights continually over time.
Values and Testimonies
Friends have agreed to basic values, known as testimonies, known as the Quaker SPICES, including the following:
- Simplicity
- Use financial and natural resources carefully; value Spirit over material objects
- Peace
- Seek solutions to problems or disagreements; make decisions by consensus (secular) for ‘sense of the meeting’ (spirit-led); use conflict resolution skills
- Integrity
- Let your life speak: your outer life reflects your inner life; treat others with respect and honesty
- Community
- Build authentic community/interpersonal relationships; do no harm; teach respect; respect one another
- Equality
- Respect differences; each has a share of the Light
- Stewardship
- Protect and care for the earth; promote environmental, economic, and social sustainability; promote social justice and the need for equal access to resources.
[Thanks to Connecticut Friends School for wording.]
For more information regarding Friends testimonies, please see also: