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Photo: Quaker Tapestry on Peace - Quaker Tapestry Museum UK

Along with the world, Quakerism has grown and changed over centuries. Yet at its heart remains a simple truth: that we can be guided by a Living Presence—known by many names, and known directly through experience.

Friends may speak of God, the Spirit of Christ, the Inner Light, or simply the Light. What matters is not the name, but the listening. We gather in expectant worship, waiting together in stillness for guidance that can shape our lives and our witness in the world.

This inward listening is not an end in itself. It leads us outward—ordering our choices, grounding our testimonies, and calling us into faithful action.

Who Are Quakers?

Founded in the 1600s

The Religious Society of Friends—known as Quakers—began in mid‑17th‑century England, inspired by George Fox’s search for a more direct, heartfelt faith.

Faith rooted in direct experience

EVERY person can experience God directly through the Inner Light—a divine presence available to anyone, without clergy or hierarchy. We believe that there is “that of God in everyone” and that the divine presence can be encountered through stillness, listening, and lived experience (without clergy, rituals, dogma, or religious hierarchy).

Why “Friends”?

Early Quakers called themselves Friends to reflect their belief in the equality of all people and the importance of community, care, and mutual respect. This tradition has carried through to modern day. Hello Friend!

A History of Action and Witness

Champions of justice

Quakers have long been deeply involved in causes like abolition, women’s rights (suffrage), prison reform, and peace efforts. We’ve spoken out, defied unjust laws, and organized across communities to protect those who were enslaved, incarcerated, or silenced.

Faith that showed up where it mattered

Rather than withdrawing from the world, Friends have built relief organizations, ambulance units, mediation efforts, and humanitarian responses - proving that peace is something you DO.

A radical commitment to peace

Quakers refused to fight, fund, or profit from war. We’ve refused military service through conscientious objection, divested funds from unethical manufacturers and war profiteers, and some have even practiced war tax resistance.

How Quakers Worship

No ministers, no rituals

Quakers set aside formal clergy, sacraments, and church hierarchy in favor of simplicity and shared spiritual responsibility.

Meetings for Worship

Worship is typically held in silence. And silence isn’t empty—it’s a shared practice of attentiveness, openness, and personal connection with God. Anyone may speak if they feel led by Spirit, and sharing ministry is offered simply for the good of the whole meeting.

Centered on listening

Many Quakers understand their faith through the life and teachings of Jesus—especially the Sermon on the Mount, with its call to love, justice, humility, and peace. At the same time, Friends honor the spiritual journeys of people from many backgrounds, trusting that truth and divine guidance are not confined to a single tradition.

Quakers Today

Faith in action

Modern Quakers understand faith as something meant to be lived, not just believed. Friends are continually listening for how we are led to respond to the needs of our time — whether that shows up in work for racial and economic justice, care for the earth, peacebuilding, inclusion, community healing, or quieter acts of service, accompaniment, and witness. There is no single “approved” cause; each person and each meeting seeks to live their values with integrity, compassion, and courage in the world as it is today.

Global and local impact

Organizations like American Friends Service Committee (humanitarian work, peacebuilding, and social justice), Friends Committee on National Legislation (nonpartisan Quaker lobbying group), and Quaker United Nations Office (quiet diplomacy and peace advocacy), put Quaker values into action far beyond the meetinghouse benches! Check our resources section for more direct organization links and information.

A living, evolving tradition

Today’s Quaker communities remain diverse and growing—grounded in the Inner Light, committed to peace, and engaged with the world. Action is not separate from faith and it never has been. Our spiritual conviction is expected to show up in daily choices, public witness, and community engagement. Dear Friend, LET YOUR LIFE SPEAK.

S.P.I.C.E.S

(Quaker Testimonies)

Quakers believe faith should show up in real life.
Testimonies are how Friends live what we believe —
in our choices, our relationships, and the wider world.

#LetYourLifeSpeak #SPICES

  • Focusing on what is truly important and letting other things fall away.

  • Seeking justice and healing for all people; taking away the causes for war in the way we live.

  • Acting on what we believe, speaking truthfully and having our actions match our words.

  • Supporting one another in our faith journeys and in times of joy and sorrow; sharing with and caring for each other.

  • Treating everyone, everywhere as equally precious, recognizing that everyone has gifts to share.

  • Care for the earth: valuing and respecting all of creation.
    Using only our fair share of earth’s resources, working to protect the planet.

Photo: Friends in action with FCNL, Love Thy Neighbor - No Exceptions