Who
are Quakers, and what do they believe?
The
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) emerged
out of the theological dissension and turmoil of
17th century England. Our founder, George Fox,
was a deeply spiritual person, earnestly seeking
divine guidance.
He
was unable to find a home in the steeple
houses of his day; their priests and ministers
did not help him along his quest. One day he had
an epiphany and heard a voice tell him There is
one, even Jesus Christ who can speak to thy
condition. That simple message transformed his
life, was the foundation of his belief and has
become the foundation of Quaker faith and
action.
From
that moment on Fox preached a radical new
gospel, that all human beings could communicate
directly with the divine without intersession by
another human being, that what he called the
Inner Light was available to us all. He called
upon his rapidly growing band of followers to
walk cheerfully over the Earth, answering that of God in everyone.
By
these simple statements he calls us to respect
and treat all persons as our equals before God,
regardless of race, gender, religious beliefs or
social status. We are not to exploit, enslave,
discriminate against or act violently towards
any other human being. We are called to witness
for peace, social justice and stewardship of our
planet.
There
is a broad spectrum of worship practice among
Quakers but all emphasize a time of expectant
waiting on the leadings of the Holy Spirit. At
Middlebury Friends Meeting we gather in that
expectant but not empty silence: During worship,
all present may speak or remain silent as they
are moved by that Spirit.
Before
we were called Quakers (which name is a story by
itself) Friends were often referred to as
Seekers after Truth. We welcome any such
seekers to our spiritual community.
-
Drafted by Stewart Kirkaldy,
July 2008
For
more information about Middlebury Friends
Meeting contact Doug Way at
papadougway at gmail.com or call 908/616-4888
