FAQs

Quakers like to use the word “meeting” in a lot of different ways. A meeting can refer to the members of a “monthly meeting,” which is pretty much the same as the members of a church. Meeting can also be shorthand for “meeting for worship” which is comparable to a church service. Meeting might also refer to a “meeting for business,” a time once a month when the community comes together to conduct business.

The word Quaker and Friend are used interchangeably but mean the same thing — someone who follows Quakerism. The official name of our group is The Religious Society of Friends, but the outside world is more likely to know us as Quakers. From the early years of Quakerism in England, we have referred to ourselves as “Friends of Truth,” or more commonly, Friends. “Quaker” was originally a derogatory nickname coined by a judge, who mocked Fox's exhortation to "tremble at the word of the Lord," calling him and his followers “Quakers.” The nickname stuck, and was subsequently embraced. Watch How Quakers Got Their Name.

The Quaker movement has grown and diverged into several different branches over more than three and a half centuries. In some groups of Quakers globally, pastors are much more common, worship is more structured, beliefs are more theologically conservative (in a traditional Protestant sense) and place greater emphasis on the authority of the Bible. In others, like Bucks Quarter meetings, worldview and theology are more liberal, worship is silent with no minister and greater emphasis is placed on individual experience. Learn more here.

The Quaker faith is certainly rooted in Christianity, but today Friends draw spiritual sustenance from many religious traditions. Because Friends believe that revelation is ongoing, we have no set creed or dogmas and believe that new truth is revealed as we continue our spiritual journeys individually and with one another. Watch Are Quakers Christian?

George Fox (1624–1691) is considered to be the founder of Quakerism. As a young man in 1647, Fox began to preach in public, proclaiming what he saw as the pure and genuine principles of Christianity in their original simplicity. He travelled throughout Britain as a dissenting preacher, often being persecuted by the disapproving authorities. He soon began to attract a small following which has blossomed into an influential faith society of over 400,000 members worldwide. Learn more by watching How Quakerism Began.

Quaker and Amish are both traditional peace churches, drawing their guidance from the nonviolent teachings of Jesus. While they have historically supported one another, they are otherwise distinct and trace their origins to separate roots: England for Quakers and Switzerland for Amish. The primary overlap between Quakers and Shakers is that they have rhyming names. Learn more by watching Are Quakers Amish?

It’s actually very rare nowadays. Back in the 1600s, when the Society of Friends began, English had formal and informal words for “you,” like other European languages. “You” was the formal and respectful word, “thou” was informal, for use with equals. Quakers insisted on using “thou” with everybody because they believed that everyone was equal. Then later, when the language changed and began using “you” for everybody, Quakers were left with an antiquated way of speaking that was no longer in use. Watch The History of Quaker Plain Speech.

Absolutely! Everyone is welcome. We believe that people of all ages, religious backgrounds, races and ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, abilities, and classes can be “natural Quakers,” who find our manner of worship suited to their needs, and we treasure the contributions that they bring with them as seekers of spiritual truth. Although the Religious Society of Friends has Christian roots, the absence of a formal creed means that people from a wide spectrum of religious beliefs and traditions are attracted to our form of worship. Watch My First Time at Quaker Meeting.

In general, Quakers wear everyday clothes to a meeting for worship. This may range from what you would wear at work in an office to jeans and a T-shirt. A good rule of thumb is to wear what you will be wearing for the rest of the day.

It does seem kind of confusing. “Monthly” refers to how often the members schedule a Meeting for Business. A “Quarterly” meeting, like Bucks Quarterly Meeting, is made up of fourteen individual monthly meetings which meet quarterly to conduct business. Finally, all Quarterly Meetings in a region belong to a “Yearly” Meeting, which comes together to conduct business – you guessed it – yearly. Bucks Quarter, along with thirteen other Quarters in the tri-state area, is a member of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting.

Having no formal creed does not mean that Quakers have no theology; many Friends are actively engaged in theological exploration, both in academia and the wider world. However, as early Friends listened to the Inner light and endeavored to live accordingly, a common set of beliefs gradually emerged, which became known as Testimonies. Although rooted in the immediate experience of the community of Friends, these Testimonies are based on what early Friends read in the Bible, especially regarding the life and teachings of Jesus. Watch 9 Core Quaker Beliefs.

In 1947, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and British Friends Service Council accepted one of the most prestigious awards in the world—the Nobel Peace Prize—on behalf of Quakers worldwide as a recognition of  300 years of Quaker efforts to heal rifts and oppose war. As a group, most Quaker institutions and meetings hold a pacifist position; however, ultimately, individuals need to come to their own conclusion as to how they wish to relate to military service. For many, it has meant a commitment to nonviolence and conscientious objection to participating in war, and for others they have discerned that participation in military service can be in accordance with their faith. Watch Why Are Quakers Pacifists?

Friends don’t have a custom of performing outward sacramental ceremonies. We don't regard some activities as more sacred than others, nor do we believe that any particular ritual is needed to get in touch with God. For Quakers, sacraments are traditionally understood as inward, spiritual experiences. Friends have described entering into the spiritual reality of communion with God in the experience of meeting for worship. Watch Why Quakers Don’t Take Communion.

Quakers have no collective view on what happens after death. We tend to concentrate on making this world better rather than pondering what happens after leaving it. The emphasis of a Quaker’s life is on experiencing and following the leadings of the Spirit in our lives today. “Hell” is a present reality for so many in our world, and “Heaven” is in this place, every day. Quakers believe that the world of justice, love and joy we yearn for is available here and now, and also still being born, and we are called to participate in helping bring this world about.

Quakers do not regard any single book as being the actual “word of God.” Most Quakers regard the Bible as a very great inspirational book but they don't see it as the only one. Friends also value the writings of many other religious traditions, and benefit from reading about the lives of other spiritual leaders, past and present. Watch How Do Quakers Read the Bible?

Quakers are self-governing with no external authorities and no single person who speaks for a Meeting or for all Quakers. Friends accept personal responsibility for their own spiritual seeking, as well as for the support and nurturing of others who worship with them. Most functions are performed by committees, such as organizing the worship service and providing pastoral support for members, religious education and fellowship. Most meetings have a Clerk, who presides over the monthly meeting for business. Matters are brought forward by committees or individuals, and decisions are made by coming to unity, which is also called “sense of the meeting.” Watch How Quakers Make Decisions.

Quakers believe that no one but God can join a couple in matrimony. During a special meeting for worship, the couple stand and face each other, then make very simple promises, giving themselves and taking each other in marriage. Marriage is understood as a spiritual covenant, affirmed by the couple in the presence of God and witnessed by all those gathered. The couple signs a special certificate of marriage containing the words of their promises, then after the close of the meeting for worship, everyone present signs the certificate as a witness. Watch What to Expect at a Quaker Wedding.

There are Quakers of all ages, religious backgrounds, races and ethnicities, education, sexual orientations, gender identities, abilities, and classes. Modern Quakers generally blend in with the larger culture, rather than adopting the distinctive dress and patterns of speech associated with Quakers of earlier centuries. Friends try to live lives that demonstrate an authenticity and integrity between word and action. Some well known Quakers living today include Joan Baez, Sandra Boynton, Judi Dench, Ben Kingsley and Bonnie Raitt. Watch Quakers in the Movies.

If you have read through these Frequently Asked questions, watched some of the videos, attended Quaker Meeting for Worship and feel that you have found a spiritual home, there’s a good chance that you might be a Quaker. Watch How I Became a Quaker.

There is no ceremonial process or rituals in becoming a Quaker. You may want to visit a few Quaker meetings to see which feels right for you. Newcomers are encouraged to spend some time getting familiar with the Quaker tradition and with the community before making up their minds to formally join. You may spend anywhere from a few months to a few years as an attender, participating in worship and other meeting activities before you feel ready to make a commitment. When you are ready, the first step toward membership is to write a letter to the clerk of the meeting expressing your wish to join.  Once you are welcomed into membership in your monthly meeting, you are also considered a member of your Quarterly and Yearly meetings. Watch How to Become a Member of a Quaker Meeting.