9 Core Quaker Beliefs

As a lifelong Quaker, Arthur Larrabee was frustrated that he couldn’t answer the question, “What do Quakers believe?” So he set out to do just that.

___

Find out about Quakers in PA, DE, NJ and MD

___

Transcript:

About 9 years ago I began to give voice to a lifelong frustration of mine. The frustration was that I cannot answer the question “What do Quakers believe?” I would always answer the questions somewhat defensively. I would say, “it’s kind of hard to know what Quakers believe, but let me tell you what I believe.” Or I would say, “well, it’s hard to know what Quakers believe today but let me tell you what Quakers believed at the beginning.” Or I would say what I thought Quakers believed and I would hope that no one else was listening because I did not want to be overcalled.

And so I had all of those experiences as a lifelong Quaker and I said, “this is for the birds!” We can do better than this.

9 Core Quaker Beliefs

My name is Arthur Larrabee. I’m a member of Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting. I live near West Chester, Pennsylvania, very close to Westtown School. My work in the world is the work of teaching and consulting about Quaker decision making.

In attempting to name what I believe are core principles, or core beliefs of the Religious Society of Friends as understood by unprogrammed Quakers, I’m hoping that we would move in the direction of strengthening our faith practice, and strengthening our faith practice with each other and be more clear and affirming of what we’re able to say to the world, what we’re able to carry out into the world.

1. There is a living, dynamic, spiritual presence at work in the world which is both within us and outside of us.

Quakers use many names to describe this spiritual presence. Among the names we use are God, spirit, the light, the inward light, the inner light, Christ, truth, love.

2. There is that of God in everyone.

This statement of belief is similar to the first statement, and Quakers will talk about there being that of God in everyone, and it is the belief that the creator has endowed each person with a measure of the divine essence, and that as a consequence, all of life is sacred and interconnected.

3. Each person is capable of the direct and unmediated experience of God.

Our belief leads us into a form of worship that does not rely on clergy or liturgy or creed. Rather, we come together in the silence. We sometimes refer to our worship as “waiting worship.” Waiting to hear—listen for—the still, small voice within, and listening for that of God—the still, small voice—speaking to us.

4. Our understanding and experience of God is nurtured and enlarged in community.
When we come together in community, each of us brings our own manifestation of the divine energy. When we come together in community, we experience and embrace our diversity; we experience a much larger understanding and vision of God.

5. The Bible is an important spiritual resource, and the life and teachings of Jesus are relevant for us today.

For many of us, the Bible is an inspired record of humankind’s interaction with God through the ages. Quakers find that the truth and the teachings found in the Bible are an inspiration for daily living and also an inspiration for our worship together.

6. The revelation of God’s truth is continuing and ongoing.

Quakers are very clear that the revelation of God’s truth did not end with the writing of the Bible. We believe that God has continued to reveal God’s truth and make God’s will and energy, truth—known to humankind down through the ages, down to the present day.

7. We welcome truth from whatever source it may come.

We find that our experience of worship and our experience of the Divine is enriched by welcoming truth from different sources. We welcome spiritual truth from different sources.

___

The views expressed in this video are of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Friends Journal or its collaborators.

[TheTiranaLibrary]

The best religion I ever discovered. They are small in numbers but they have made a tremendous contribution to our world.

[haatpraat]

I have massive respect for Quakers. They were the first religious group in human history to actually fight against the evil of slavery, when at the time whole swaths of Christian and Islamic groups were up to their necks indulging in the vile practice.

[TaddsDelight]

The more I learn about the Quaker religion the more I like it

[christinebutler]

"Let your life speak". Or as St. Francis of Assisi put it, "Preach the Gospel always; if necessary, use words."

[kristinabliss]

In my experience of Quakers they gather around common practice and embrace a diversity of beliefs. The reason I appreciate Quakers and sit with Quakers is because they are not dogmatic or forcing one another into a "what we believe" box.

[sandysprings]

I was brought up in the Wilmington Friends Meeting and transferred my membership to Birmingham Friends Meeting when we moved to Chadds Ford, PA. Thank you! This is the best explanation I’ve ever heard and now know ‘how’ to talk to someone when asked about my having Quaker roots! I re-married in the Methodist Church in 1988, my husbands family’s church here in South Carolina, and joined the church. It has deepened my faith even more. Now 85, I am at peace. My Quaker faith lives within me and always will.

[olyavmusic]

this is the coolest religion. I have been searching for a religion that makes sense to my moral code and this is so in line with it. <3 thank you for this information.

[krazeediamond]

I've been a Quaker since childhood, it's always been a difficult group to explain. Sometimes I just say, "it's the most non-religious religion I know of, and you could show up to church once a year and still be a Quaker" 😂

[carolynsilvers]

After being brought up in complicated dogma and rules, these simple concepts are so refreshing.

[sgt]

This is probably the most up to date religion. Possibly the most universal and rational in my opinion.

[jerrypritchett]

I am impressed. My beliefs are closer to the Quaker beliefs than most major religions. I especially liked the one about receiving truth no matter the source. A religion that thinks they have an exclusive path to God doesn't make sense to me.

[birdsrneat]

I love that they don't have a single man or woman to listen to because sometimes pastors can interpret things totally wrong and people just take their word for it.

[MrCanigou]

"Let your life speak" resonates

[prepperskills]

I'n listening to a history of colonial america and am very impressed by how the quakers stayed out of a lot of drama just by modeling christ and in general not ####ing with anybody.

[alanoken]

I never knew much of what I believe is embodied in these 9 points until I saw this video this evening...proof in my view of the universality of this Teaching. Thank you....very appreciated.

[thomasmurray]

I'm a life-long Quaker (from Philadelphia) and this video is an excellent summary. I'm Clerk of Lisboa Meeting, which I founded 4 years ago. Most attenders are new to us and I will recommend them to watch this.

[edwardgrabczewski]

As a British Quaker I like this expression of our faith. Unfortunately many of the Quakers in my meeting dislike using the word 'God'. But this video makes it appear that God is the central concept behind Quakerism (which it certainly was in the past). Furthermore, in almost thirty years of attending Quaker meetings I found nobody actually picked up the Bible on the table and read from it. I became so exasperated that I eventually did it (a Friend thanked me for doing so). My point is that this video gives a fair account of what Quakerism could or should be but in practice many Quakers don't conform to expectations.

[nathanialpittman]

I am not a Quaker but sometimes I quake! A friend of mine asked me why that is and I explained with the statement, "I Do Not Stand By In the presence of Evil!" That is how I explain it.

[camelidcamelot]

An Elder in my Home Meeting used to say that Quakers believe in the Brotherhood of man, The Fatherhood of God, and the Neighborhood of Philadelphia.

[thomasbeckett]

My family came to America before America, in Philadelphia. Arrived on the Hector. With John Wotherspoon as forefather. We were ship builders and leather workers. Pounding Rivets all the day long. And weaving wools. The word was central.