How I Became a Quaker

Discovering George Fox’s Journal when we was just 14 years old, Kevin-Douglas Olive found a language to describe his experience and the people he belonged with.

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Transcript:

There was always this part of me that yearned for something outside of myself, something bigger, something beyond. What I read from Friends, especially Early Friends, was that I didn’t have to go beyond myself, that I could find what I’m looking for within. And that no matter what was troubling me, what was hindering me, no matter what my hurt, habit, or my hangup was, there was a power that could help me overcome that and that I wouldn’t be ruled by that.

How I Became a Quaker

So I’m Kevin-Douglas Olive, a member of Homewood Friends in Baltimore Yearly Meeting. I’m a French teacher in Baltimore County Public Schools.

I grew up most of my life in east Tennessee–Knoxville, Tennessee, go Vols–and my dad was military. He was army and we lived here in Maryland for a while; we lived in Korea; I was born in North Carolina, so we traveled around a bit and that was sort of the context that I grew up in. My family was secular. We didn’t talk about religion. We didn’t go to church. I went to Baptist church with friends.

Discovering Quakers

I happened to read the Witch of Blackbird Pond in 7th grade when I was 12 and identified with the Quaker in the story. So I asked the librarian, “Hey, who are these Quakers?” and she gave me a book about the underground railroad and Levi Coffin. They’re made for middle schoolers and there was only so much reading and I wanted more. And what did the public library have but The Journal of George Fox. So plowing through that at 14 was an endeavor, and then Barclay’s Apology.

How Quaker Theology Spoke to Me

I was going to school every day with people who said that you’re going to hell if you didn’t believe in Jesus, that Jesus died for you and it’s your fault that he was crucified. That’s what I got at the Baptist church that I did go to for a while. So Quakerism, from what I read and understood, was this revolutionary idea or this revolutionary way to approach God through sitting in silence where we’re all ministers, we’re all potential ministers, we all have this responsibility to not only be faithful and yield to this power within us but that when we turn over to this power, we also have the power to transform the world around us.

That’s not what I was hearing from church. I was hearing about heaven and hell and I’m reading George Fox basically saying, “Heaven and hell, meh!” He kept talking about all of these things that are so important to the Christians around me and kept calling them “airy notions”. That was radical stuff for me, and it gave me a language that I was able to use to describe not only what I was experiencing, but also I felt like these are the people I belong with. They stood up against a Christianity that was oppressive as best they could. They stood up against social structures that were oppressive as best they could, and that’s what I wanted to be a part of.

Talking with My Parents

Finally I told my parents what I was doing, and they were like, “Uh… what? The who?” They still saw bonnets and hats and carriages, and when I disabused them of that concept of who Quakers were, they still said no. Well, you don’t tell a teenager “no”, that’s how you light the fire. The more they said no, the more I… but I felt that God was actually calling me to this. There’s no other way to describe it, really.

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

[MikeNulty]

COOL! I am also a Quaker and have also had to "speak". At my first Quaker meeting I cried because I had found my way home. Since then, the journey really began. Thanks for the testimony.

[TiaAnders]

I've long been interested in the tenets of Quakerism. Today is the first day I have been able to take the time to listen. Thank you so much for your eloquent story...and to QuakerSpeak for the lovely catalogue of content. I'm eager to keep learning!!

[stewartbrown]

I am not a Quaker but am interested in learning more about them

[laylar]

Amazing story on how you became a Quaker. God has been calling me loud and clear to go to a Quaker meeting. I have never been and I never knew what they believed until I started researching my geniology. I have Quaker roots from pre revolution days when my family came here to the U.S. to flee religous persecution .So, I started watching these videos and they resonate so strongly within my being. I pray that I can find a meeting near me. So, that I may attend. I have reached out for information for my area on the Quaker Speak website. Thank you for these videos! Love and light to you.❤

[tobyluke]

Really enjoying this channel as a new Quaker in England. Would love to get to know you guys more

[jonskinner]

This could be my story, almost word-for-word. I have always been interested in the Quakers, but knew little until I found this channel. With prayer I was directed here. Thank you for sharing your testimony. Soon as it is safe to do so, I will visit our local Orlando Friends meeting. I look forward to it.

[WhiteWolfBlackStar]

Oh my gosh WOW! I had that same book The Witch Of Blackbird Pond. I was just thinking about that the other day. I wish I could read it again. I was supposed to find this video. Thank You God, and Friends. Stay blessed ALL ✨🕊

[hobbitmandanzenlighten]

Hey, I curently practice Vedanta and Buddhism, but just discovered Quakerism today. This seems to be first Christian organization I could see myself identifying with. I was wondering, is "inner light" similar to the Atman in hinduism? Is expectant waiting like Netti Netti Meditation or even like Zazen meditation? So far, Quakers remind me of those who practice Zen Buddhism. I am actually facinated by the Quakers and would love to learn more about their meetings and practices

[mrpaupie]

Kevin-Douglas Olive's face looks so amazing in that light.

[Clavinovaman]

Kevin-Douglas may, very well, be the first American I've seen that seems _normal._ A superbly interesting, endearing guy.

[opheliagrove]

Have felt increasingly drawn to this for sometime but need to know more .

[dolphinliam]

Wow. This resonates with me so much. I've spent years trying to find God but I found him inside. I think I will join the Quakers after finding like minded people. Namaste 😁🙏

[herewegokids]

That's such an excellent testimony! I also grew up Baptist. Actually my parents were missionaries. I became Catholic 7 yrs ago..what appealed to me there is a much more wide roof..we have all the spiritualities lol...speaking in tongues, monasticism, marriage, social activism, acesticism, intellectual life, even some potential universalism... Personally I am drawn to the Scotian theology of redemption. Which thinks Jesus death was not the necessary part, it was the Incarnation itself.

[susanferris]

Thank you for this---I can so relate to all of this---keep the faith!

[nathanmatos]

What would you suggest for a person drawn to Quakerism that is unable to attend Meeting (in my case due to work schedule and vehicle issues)?

[Sigma_Sight]

I’m confused do quakers believe that Jesus Christ died for their sins and is the Son of God

[StevieLWeisend]

ha ha! why is it always the witches and the Episcopalians, I feel so seen. I go to Quaker meetings, but I also attend @edTrevors Anglican Church without walls.

[MotoVlog-lhtd]

I was atheist before i saw what i saw and listened to that voice that awnsered my question before i even asked and awnsered again when i asked. I also saw through gods eyes looking down on this spherical universe with some one to the right and to the left of him and they were all dressed in white like what the muslims wear but i wasn't shown faces and again when i was shown heaven everyone has somebody and everyone is about 30 years of age no tattoos but again i was not shown faces and my question was what am i to do. And od said be benevolent.

[brg]

Sounds more based on feelings than reality

[NicholasPOGM]

Dear "Quaker" read your Bible.

Romans 10:9-15, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"