QUAKERS

HISTORY

• Northern England, mid 17th cent.
• George Fox, believed that Jesus is a presence that could be experienced by anyone
• Persecuted due to their beliefs in equality and anti-establishment
• King Charles II gave land in America to William penn, a Quaker
• William designed Pennsylvania as a refuge for Quakers

BELIEFS

• Equality
• Everyone has access to the spirit of God
• Consider bible very important
• Peace

CHRISTIAN?

• Not all Quakers identify as Christian
• Some Quakers get spiritual nourishment from Judaism, Hinduism, nature religions etc.
• Quakers have Christian roots

Prayer and worship
-sit facing each other
-sit quietly until spirit calls on them to speak
- no liturgy, no baptism, no communion

LEADERSHIP

• Quakers believe that everyone is a minister
• Appoint members to offices and commitees
• A member of the meeting is appointed clerk
• A clerk chairs meetings and handles communications
• When a clerk's term is over, a new clerk is appointed

CONTROVERSY

• Quakers are a diverse group, and there for have different views
• Generally pro-choice: believe abortion is between mother and doctor
• Generally support homosexuality: believe God loves everyone, regardless of sexual orientation

CHOCOLATE

• Quakers revolutionized chocolate, making it a product capable of eating, not just drinking
• Chocolate was viewed as good alternate for alcohol
• Cadbury(a chocolate brand started by a Quaker) started trend of boxed chocolate candies

SOURCES

• Henretta, James A., Eric Hinderaker, Rebecca Edwards, and Robert O. Self. America's History. Place of Publication Not Identified: Bedford Bks St Martin'S, 2014. Print
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/subdivisions/quakers_1...
• http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Quakers.aspx
• http://www.friendsjournal.org/necessary-not-evil-abortion-and-the-stewardsh... testimony/
• http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8467833.stm
• http://www.fgcquaker.org/explore/faqs-about-quakers#Christian
• http://www.westhillsfriends.org/QVWchocolate.html