While we’re thinking about names…

My study of historical British Books of Discipline suggests that until the mid 19th century Evangelical turn pretty much the only place “Religious” was prepended to “Society of Friends” was in secular legal boilerplate, such as the publication data of the books themselves. Friends almost universally referred to “the Society” or “the Society of Friends” or “our Society”.

So this idea which is sometimes floated that it “you left off the ‘Religious’” or “if ‘the Religious Society of Friends’ was good enough for George Fox…”, or that those pescitty liberals have done away with the “Religious” bit seem, at least in the British context, to be incorrect.

I have been interested in quaker beliefs for a while now and I have been to meetings near where I live (1-2 hour drive). They also do online and I have gone to those, but I was curious if there are any strictly online unprogrammed meetings I could attend. Like ones that don't have a physical location and just do it all online.

I live in Texas if that helps

So how did we get from being 'Children of the Light' and the Religious Society of Friends to being Quakers. And how did we move from direct Faith and Practice to QUAKERISM?

Hello Friends.

This is new reddit account set up just for theological and charity discussion, just so you know why I dont have any post history.

I have been attending unplanned meetings both in person and online for over a year now with groups of Liberal Quakers.

I was humbled by my first meeting and I keep coming back because I enjoy the expirence and the discussions after the meeting.

I have been reading up on a lot of texts and scripture and I feel so welcomed by the Quakers, more than any other place on earth, bar one, and thats the sticking point.

For the last 9 years, I have been a Freemason. I have made friends, become more involved in local community work, and of course began to study scripture, which led me to the Quakers.

Now, I never took an oath. I took a solem obligation not to reveal the rituals and their meanings to non masons, but I never swore an oath.

That said, I have read a number of Quaker critisms of the craft, based on Matthew 5: 33-37, which If I had taken an oath that would be a very clear defiance of the Gospel.

My issue is, I did not take nor do I intend to take such an oath.

I have struggled with this idea, and it is the sole reason I have not written a letter asking to join.

I can only find historically only 1 person who seemed to be able to recocile his membership of both, John Satterthwaite of Ohio who was both a Quaker and the Grand Master of Ohio.

My question is, do I have to chose, I am happy to keep attending meetings and remain a Mason but I feel that I would have to demit (resign) from the craft if I wanted to become a Quaker.

I am hoping for some guidance on this answer to help me reach a decision.

EDIT

Thank you so much friends for your advice in the comments and DMs.

It seems consensus leans towards just be up front and honest about it and if it is an issue state clearly why I dont belive it is.

That seems to be the path I am going down,

https://fwcc.world/leaving-twitter-x/

FWCC stands for Friends World Committee on Consultation and is an organization dedicated to bringing together and supporting all Quakers globally

Article begins

"FWCC will be withdrawing from the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

We believe that our continued engagement with the site is no longer consistent with our commitment to truth, integrity or peace.

As a nonpartisan group, we are further concerned by investing resources in a platform whose owner is so publicly associated with one political party in the USA.

Canadian Friends Service Committee, Quakers in Ireland, Quakers in Britain, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Quaker Council for European Affairs, Quaker learning charities Woodbrooke (in the UK) and Pendle Hill (in the US), plus Quaker publications the Friend and Friends Journal have all announced their withdrawal from the platform alongside FWCC.

The majority of these groups are shifting their presence to alternative social platform, BlueSky (you can follow them here with this starter pack). This microblogging network has the advantage of being decentralised, and is seen to be putting control of users’ feeds back in their own hands.

The advices and queries used as an aid to contemplation by Quakers in a number of countries encourage Friends to:

“Consider which of the ways to happiness offered by society are truly fulfilling and which are potentially corrupting and destructive. Be discriminating when choosing means of entertainment and information”.

We are acting on this advice.

Our General Secretary, Tim Gee commented:

“Quakers aren’t people who retreat from the world, but instead seek to engage with it. Most engagement with the world as it is involves a level of compromise. Part of the equation needs to be whether the good that might be achieved outweighs the bad. In the case of Twitter/X the scales have swung the wrong way.”"

Just curious about people's experiences. I have a premonition that God is a phenomenon you connect with when your nervous system downregulates, and coregulation (sharing properly boundaried space together) has a significant downregulating effect so long as all parties are respecting the space held.

Never been to a meeting, but been interested for awhile.

Thanks!

Hi, I'm a 21 years old guy who is interested on Quakerism, I want to know more about Quakers, in my city there aren't any Quaker group for meetings so I want to know ways for meetings online if there are, thank you if you answer me :)

If someone won't acknowledge what they've done or say sorry, where does that mean for the person who has been harmed? I'd be grateful if someone can explain where the boundary is because I forgave someone once who wasn't sorry and it seemed to affect me negatively. Is it rather the case that you let go instead?

Hi, I’m interested in Quakerism. I’m still young (18) but I had rejected religion (not necessarily belief) for most of life, as a lover of history I only saw religion as a bad thing, especially on its societal impact. I’ve always found a problem with the human element and human control of religion. How can one person tell me what I’m supposed to believe in? How can other people interpret the Bible for me? Why do you have to oppress other beliefs to worship yours?I’m Jamaican and Jamaica is an extremely conservative Christian(mainly Protestant) country and I’ve found it wrong how our close minded beliefs in Christianity shape our society and I feel like it’s also made us submissive to “Eurocentric” ideals. For example anything seen as “not Christian” such as African practices such as obeah is seen as taboo or witchcraft despite that being rooted in our ancestry. In Caribbean history, I learnt a little in Quakers and their involvement in abolition and their persecution in the region , but I really didn’t explore much in the principles of beliefs.

Recently I’ve had a new inspiration to try and find an aspect of religion (namely Christianity) that I might align with or just find positive, because I’ve been biased and looking only at the bad sides. And from what I described in my personal beliefs, someone in my history class stated that it sounds that my beliefs may align with Quakerism. From what I’ve heard so far I really admire those principles, I didn’t know that there were Christians like that. So I want to learn more about Quakerism, I won’t guarantee I’ll become a Quaker. I’ve tried to find Quakers in Jamaica, given it’s history I thought there’d be way more but it’s small and they’re on the opposite side if the island with is a 6 hour drive up and back. So I’d love the chance to talk with some Quakers and learn more about the beliefs, principles and philosophy. If you have anything about Quakerism you want to tell me I’d love to hear. Why did you choose Quakerism? If I wanted to be a Quaker, how could I get that guidance without any Quakers around me?

If this came up in your Meeting for Worship to Business, would you have something to say? If so, what might that be?

A concern arose about whether asking Friends to leave the room when the Meeting considers matters that touch upon that Friends personal interests ( e.g. joining the meeting or receiving travel money beyond what is budgeted) during Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business, and whether this practice conflicted with Quaker’s testimony of integrity in that it sets up, if not promotes one truth spoken when a person is present and a different truth when they are not present.

After thoughtful discernment Ministry and Counsel took the position of upholding Quaker practice in this matter. There may be times when a vital truth may be left unsaid if the person in question is in the room, whether due to a feeling of vulnerability, or a perception of unequal power. There may be a wish not to cause hurt feelings.

Do you have book recommendations?

I'm interested in compelling writing on Quakerism the topic, maybe something like: biography, history, philosophy... Anything, really but hopefully a page turner because of the style. If there is such a book.

Or a highly recommended blog? I'd consider podcast recommendations too.

hi all! can someone recommend a book about the history & thought of the evangelical friends - their ideas, how they developed, how ended up in africa, the caribbean, taiwan, who are their leading thinkers today etc.?

am particularly interested in the development of their thought as well as their factual history, preferably not just "in 1880 so-and-so went to such-and-such a place", if that makes sense...

I suspect I am not the only having a really difficult time wrestling with this one from a Quaker perspective. Let us not shy away from difficult topics in the hopes that hearing from friends might expand and illuminate our own perspective. My concern is that the perceived accolades he is receiving for this act will inevitably inspire copycats. To be sure, anyone who commits a violent act in the name of a cause will find varying levels of support from at least a subset of the population and future vigilante acts may not be so specifically targeted. Think bombings that often result in an enormous amount of collateral damage. I suspect those praising him are doing so using the trolly problem logic but I fear that Pandora’s box is a more apt analogy. I understand the evils of the US healthcare system first hand. I am as frustrated as anyone but I believe it will only be changed through an increase in class consciousness and something nonviolent like a general strike. Bernie Sanders said something to this affect recently. I understand the guttural reaction many are having to the situation but do believe cooler heads must prevail.

When I try to sit in silence with God, it often feels like not much happens. My mind races with random thoughts and swear words mostly due to my OCD. I’m constantly worried if I’m going to have a happy future because being alive is expensive even if you work yourself to the bone. I’m very worried about my future because I want to be a farmer but it costs A LOT of money to start a farm and a successful one at that. On top of that, I'm considered an at-risk youth—I’ve been in the psych ward twice this year. There's just a lot going on in my head right now. I have two therapists and I'm on medication right now which has helped a lot but again, my mind is always racing. I don't yet identify as Quaker because I only heard about it a week ago from someone at church.

What I’m really wondering is: what does being with God look like and feel like to you? I believe God is always with us and guiding us if we listen, but how do you know that you're truly listening? How do you differentiate God’s voice from your own thoughts, consciousness, and perceptions? Is worship a little different for people who struggle with mental health?

Thoughts and advice is much appreciated, Thank you 🙏🩷

The more I learn about Quakers the more interested I get. I keep poking Google to find the contact info for my nearest Friends Meeting. There's an email address and Zoom meeting I can sit in on (I predict silently, for a good while).

So much is the antithesis of what was modeled for me of "Christians". I more think, like they say in AA -- "take what you can use and leave the rest". What wise advice. That's the vibe I get from Quakers.

AND IT'S CALLED A "FRIENDS" MEETING ❤️

Another thing I've always wanted is the bonding and fellowship that Christians enjoy, but without all the top-down "thou shalt" nonsense, and an insistence to "believe", which to me always meant "pretend to believe or else".

Still haven't joined a meeting but I wanted to say "hi" to some open minded and reasonable folks. Who are also flawed, just like me.

I was "moved to speak" by the warm and fuzzies. Hello.

I'd be grateful if someone could help hold some circumstances in the light, if that's possible.

I've become isolated. I'm trying to seek God.

(I posted this in a queer quaker discord as well so if you're from there, hello!)

My BiL (call him AJ) (Mlate20s) and I (F32) have a bad history. He is a very right leaning Lutheran and I am a very left leaning atheist. That was the beginning of the troubles and they are doubled by a bad event 3 years ago where his girlfriend went out with me for a hike (where we talked about her unhappiness) then she came home to break up with him and, to prevent her becoming homeless, she stayed with my husband and I for several months.

Of course, this created a terrible rift between my husband and his brother. My husband reached out multiple times since then, trying to reconnect. AJ eventually told Husband to stop contacting him temporarily and he'd reach out when he was ready. He never did. After several months my husband tentatively tried again, was received positively (though coldly), and has been treated coldly since. We haven't seen AJ in person since Easter of 2024.

I host most holidays for our combined family, with the blessing of my MiL. AJ has not come to one of these holidays for 2 years. Easter was hosted at the inlaws home this year, due to our housing situation.

The last time I communicated with AJ at all was in our group family server this past summer. I complained about my job at a church. He (seemingly jokingly, he later said he was being earnest) suggested I stop complaining and try maybe working construction if I was so unhappy. He did this 3 times before I told him that repeating that was neither helpful nor constructive and it was belittling. He then told me I had insulted his faith, not taken his advice seriously and that he'd simply stop talking. It was an ugly interaction.

I know through both my MiL and my SiL that my husband is being excluded from family gatherings by AJ intentionally. And neither of them see this as an issue or they refuse to address the issue, I cannot tell which. They've in the past been known to indulge AJ because he has a volatile temperment but they're also the type of family that does not address emotional matters.

It was told to me that my MiL will be accompanying AJ to a megachurch in town I know to be queerphobic, transphobic, and misogynistic. My MiL (also a Lutheran) does not generally approve of this type of doctrine so I messaged her what I knew. She has since ignored the message, answering me on other platforms about other things but not acknowledging that item at all.

There is a Quaker part of my heart that wants to speak to that which is of God in him. To reach out, attempt to reopen communication with AJ. Acknowledge the harm I caused him by housing his Ex-girlfriend, reaffirm that his brother would like to see him more, and give him a chance to speak on his hurt. Because I know many people have left the road of bigotry after being shown empathy and kindness.

There is a much bigger and louder part that doesn't believe he'd come to the conversation in good faith. That believes he is not a safe person to bring into a home with a trans adult (my roommate) and openly queer youth (my niblings) so it is overall better to let him stew in his misery, petty and alone. And this part also becomes very angry at the prospect of having to swallow my sense of justice and morality for his comfort, to swaddle him in an empathy he doesn't reciprocate to people he does not agree with.

However, all of it leaves me sad and stewing in misery. My husband misses his brother. He thought setting boundaries would allow him to keep a safer relationship with AJ, not lose him altogether. He's expressed that he doesn't regret any of his actions (housing AJ's ex girlfriend, defending me at family gatherings, setting boundaries around not indulging AJ's temper etc) but he's also said that he'll think on memories of little brother and get so sad about him and the path he's on.

It is nearly midnight and I cannot sleep over these feelings and thoughts. I appreciate any input and gently request not to be told I am "held in the light" as I do not ascribe to that practice. Thank you.

New York City Friends! Are there currently any Friend centered bible studies in the city? If not- who would be interested in one?

I'm not a Quaker, but I sometimes visit an online meeting. I've learned that Quakers see all days as equally holy, and so many don't observe Christmas.

If I put up a tree this year in my home, would it be polite to move my camera so that the tree isn't visible when I'm online? Or is this something that wouldn't matter?

To be honest, I like having some pretty lights up in the bleak midwinter, but I don't want to cause any offense as a guest in the Quakers' meeting.

I love the Quaker process. The non-hierarchical structure, the SPICES, silent worship. All of it moves me in profound ways…..One problem though. The whole nonviolence thing. I’m not a violent person. Never sought it out and its turned my stomach the few times I’ve witnessed it first hand. Conversely, as an ardent student of history, I have a hard time discounting it. Violence can be a necessary evil or in some extreme situations, an object good from my perspective. It’s historically undeniable that in the face of great evil, sitting back and allowing the downtrodden, oppressed and marginalized to be overrun by a ruling class that would have them harmed or even eliminated is violence in itself. Interested to hear from friends how they wrestle with this paradox. Am I just not a Quaker because I feel this way or is there a line that can be crossed where you feel violence is justified?

This is from the South East Anglia Quaker Meeting Newsletter published yesterday. It is at least thought-provoking, which is why I have asked permission to share it here:

---

An Invitation to a Journey By Bayard Fry

One of Quakerism’s beauties is its willingness to journey with other religions. There is no spirit of fear, scarcity, or need to convert. Despite Quakers’ diverse experiences and beliefs, our direction of travel unites us. While we have Christian roots, can Christian beliefs define us? And our willingness to work gladly with other religions enables us to draw on many sources of wisdom. 

 One problem arises when people ask us to explain our silent worship, which is often a mystery too deep for words. Quaker historian William C. Braithwaite and influential Quaker Rufus Jones argue that Quakerism is mystical. This parable may help to explain.

There is an ancient story about a deep-sea fish that, one day, ends up in a small pond. In the pond, a conversation begins with a pond fish. This pond fish is excited, as it has never left the pond. Pleased to have a new friend, the pond fish says to the ocean fish, “My pond is so deep! Watch me swim to the bottom.”

The fish swiftly dives to the bottom of the pond, returning to exclaim, “Do you see how deep it is?” The ocean fish says, “You swim well, but where I come from, it’s different.” The pond fish wants to hear more about the differences between a pond and an ocean, but the ocean fish can only say, “It’s hard to explain; I hope you can experience it for yourself one day.”

Quakerism speaks to the part of religion that most shy away from: the profound inner journey, revelations, and surrender. While all Quakers embark on this inner journey, many people are more comfortable in a small pond.

We are the “Religious Society of Friends.” Religion focuses on belief and practice. Religions often dogmatise their beliefs in the mistaken idea that this will unite people. Sadly, this can draw boundaries that exclude, shrinking the pond. Jesus excluded only those who were drawing the boundaries, the judgmental.

Quakerism focuses less on belief and more on the inner journey and outward testimony. Our silent inward journey guides and empowers the outward journey. However, it is difficult to explain if you have never experienced it, like the pond's fish. Time spent in silence and listening helps us walk the steps we testify to: simplicity, truth/integrity, equality, peace, etc.

Mystical movements in other traditions also emphasise inner experience and qualities over beliefs. 

Buddha: “Meditation brings wisdom; lack of meditation leaves ignorance. Know what leads you forward and what holds you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom.”

Jesus: “If you wish to walk in my footsteps, you must relinquish your desires and carry your cross.”

Rumi: “The wound is where the Light enters you.”

Accepting that all truth belongs to ‘God’ means it does not matter where it originates; we can learn from it all.

Politics and politicians may not have the answers to the world’s problems. But in silent Quaker worship, the world’s been changed. This has been our history and should be our future. People are fleeing traditional religion. Surveys refer to them as ‘Nones,’ people with no religious affiliation, but the surveys also find they have a spiritual longing but a distaste for judgmental religion. We must let them know who we are and that we do not judge. They should find a natural home in Quakerism, but do they know who or where we are?

Every one of us has a unique journey. Our experiences can help others see through our eyes. However, when we come together, we discover ourselves more profoundly by letting go of our selfish individuality and surrendering to the Light and our mystical connectedness. The ‘Nones’ struggle to be spiritual alone; we could help them find community. Let us not keep the Light hidden; people need us.

Is there anyone in here who is aware of a community in the Gippsland area of Victoria, Australia. I'd love to find a community locally 🤞🏼💕

Meeting for worship for newcomers happens on second Mondays of the month at 8pm Eastern (US) time, sponsored by Friends General Conference.

Learn more and register here: https://www.fgcquaker.org/event/newcomers-worship/?sd=1733702400&fbclid=IwY2xjawG8f19leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHS4O2YUS6TasYXLgS_OGc5b0m7orXLLD8kIwJUNC1kFiJars0hKIsJSMBw_aem_UyI1OReBD6CE3QXUR-TACg

I’m based in the UK and there are no meeting houses particularly nearby to where I’ve moved to - I’m not very good at my knowledge of other denominations so which other church might align best with my Quaker beliefs?

In my 25yrs attending and being a member of Meeting I’ve never had us light advent candles and be focused on celebrating the birth of Jesus. Over the past 2 yrs our meeting has welcomed several new members/attendees from the large local Churches and we’ve been moving more and more towards Jesus/Bible etc.

I’ve reflected many times on this but now that we have an alter with offerings in the meeting house it is weighing on me even more. Is this a practice at other US East Coast Meetings?

Does anyone have any recommendations for books for those that are interested in Quakerism?

I just wondered at what point is it usual to call yourself a Quaker? Are you expected to have attended a certain number of meetings. I presume it’s not like getting confirmed as a catholic or being baptised as a born again? Thanks

hello,

I have been drawn to Quakerism as it makes the most sense to me and I feel truly speaks to me However I would be considered right-wing politically because I have voted Conservative (UK) for a number of years and plan to do so in the future as that particular party aligns with my personal values on certain topics. From what I have seen + read Quakers generally tend to lean very far to the left. Sorry if I have this completely wrong it has just bought up old jarring feelings about being gay and attending church.

Hopefully this makes sense and I really hope I haven’t accidentally offended anyone

Hi Friends, I've done a lot of searching but it appears there aren't any active meeting houses in western Kansas, particularly in the Garden/Dodge city area. The closest ones to me seem to be in Wichita and then across the border in Colorado. Right now I am joining Wichita friends church via their online streaming, but it would be great to actually begin attending in-person. If there are any Quakers around here, I'd love to connect and see if we can get a meeting started. As a caveat I am a baby Quaker so I'm not confident I could presume to know much about starting and maintaining a meeting, but I'd love to participate in founding one if there are any of us out here.

Hello, I wasn't raised as a quaker and was wondering what traditions quakers do during the winter holidays?

Traditions we do in my house:

The last day of november we go to our local park and collect twigs and leaves- we plant them and in the morning it becomes a christmas tree (I put it up whilst my kids are sleeping)

We also share oranges/ orange themed foods for xmas morning. I did this as an atheist child - it's considered "bad luck" to not share an orange.

We don't do santa or elves either which some people think is child abuse 🫠 my kids do get presents but they are from the people that actually buy them not a magic man.

My kids are 5 and nearly 2 btw.