Quakers supported which major reform movements

Residents, employees, volunteers, and others who work or live in Quaker-based organizations can expect an atmosphere of openness, transparency, and mutual concern. How does this translate into how these organizations foster community and respect for diversity? Quakers have always run meetings in a way that encourages listening to everyone because the truth may come from anyone.

Find out how such a session may differ from meetings you may be used to—and how a meeting based on Quaker values makes good business sense! What should you expect when you are at a consensus-based meeting as a board or committee member, or in another participant role?

David and Jane explain how you can contribute to the discussion and the eventual decision of the whole. When slavery was outlawed in , she didn't stop her activist aims and began to advocate giving black Americans the right to vote. Another Quaker, Susan B. Anthony, also dedicated her life to attaining equal voting rights for women in America, and founded the American Equal Rights Association in Quaker commitment to bettering the lives of women continued through until the 20th century.

Prominent suffrage leader Alice Paul, widely recognized as helping to deliver the vote for women in the United States in , attributed her Quaker upbringing for her beliefs on rights for women.

In the fall of , more than one hundred Quakers including William Penn boarded a small ship named Welcome and began a fifty-three day journey to religious freedom and away from religious suppression.

Of these one hundred plus, there were women, children, and men. Some of the more prominent travelers were privileged enough to get privacy cabins while the rest huddled together on low-ceilinged decks.

Seasickness, fear of the criminal-like crew, and the ominously, endless sea caused great anxiety to the Quakers.

The crew tormented the passengers, picked fights with the men, and took advantage of the women. There was a lack of fresh food and water.

A smallpox epidemic broke out, spreading rapidly and leaving thirty one dead. Penn was immune to the disease from a bout with it as a child, so he cared for the sick while providing the well with a compassionate leader with strong character to keep them from despair. This was a rather dismal beginning, laden with grief and doubt. On the fifty-third day, Quakers had scent and sight of land. Ahead lay a land where none would be imprisoned because God appeared to him differently than to the government" Fantel 4.

Penn and his Quaker colonists had arrived. Finally, they could all begin Penn's "holy experiment. Penn's interest in American colonization was twofold. The more important of these was a place for his Quakers to escape from religious persecution and unjust treatment by those who were intolerant and rigid. Of course, creating a successful and profitable colony was necessary even though secondary to Penn.

Pennsylvania's natural resources and location contributed to making it the richest colony in the 18th century. The Quaker belief in living in accordance to God's will and the radical idea of equality of men was essential to the success of Penn's "holy experiment. In the counties of Bucks, Chester and Philadelphia, a non-Quaker was an oddity in Pennsylvania's first twenty years.

The success of Pennsylvania was almost certainly due to the resiliency of the Quakers, for they had undergone such persecution in England. Pennsylvania, in short, was populated in the early years by men steeped in a tradition of opposing prescriptive authority" Nash Even though Quakers were known for their opposition to authority, they did not, however, lack self control. Their simplicity of dress and plain language were examples of restraint that were uncommon in the seventeenth century, Their commitment to and belief in non-violent practices and refusal to bear arms would undoubtedly require immense self control in a time when there seemed to be ongoing conflicts.

Later, however, there would be Quakers known as Free Quakers who would bear arms in the War for Independence. Quaker communities were a very tight-knit, supportive group interested in the well-being of one another. This spread throughout Quakers everywhere. Quakers were committed to traveling and visiting other Quakers throughout the world preaching the word.

This strength of character of the Quakers and Penn would give Pennsylvania much advantage toward success Nash. Quakers were also responsible for Pennsylvania's financial success. Quakers believed in being thrifty, frugal, and working hard. At the same time, they were against frivolity and extravagance. Because of their work ethic and financial restraint, Philadelphia Quakers became wealthy.

The meetings are named after the frequency with which a group meets. The structure is organised at local level Preparative Meetings , smaller and larger district levels Monthly and General Meetings and national level Yearly Meeting.

Individual Quaker Meetings carry out matters of business and administration at "Meetings for Worship with a Concern for Business". The whole of such a meeting, even the most nit-pickingly detailed section, is regarded as worship.

These meetings begin with silence. When the Clerk judges the time is right, he or she summarises the agenda before the meeting, provides any necessary background information, and lays the first item before the meeting. People stand up to show they wish to speak, and are called by the Clerk. The traditional formula for raising an issue is to begin "I have a Concern The decision is not based on a majority or a consensus, but on the "sense of the meeting".

Once a minute has been drafted and read out members can suggest modifications. Meetings try not to take decisions by a majority vote, or even by reaching a consensus; they wait until "the right way will open and we shall be led into unity.

Our own experience leads us to affirm that the church can be so ordered that the guidance of the Holy Spirit can be known and followed without the need for a separated clergy. Some members may be appointed as elders because a meeting recognises that they have the ability to serve in a particular way.

Appointment as an elder doesn't mean that the person is in any way superior to anyone else. Such appointments are for three years and can be renewed. Search term:. Read more. This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets CSS enabled.

While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets CSS if you are able to do so. This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Find out more about page archiving. Quakers Last updated There are about , Quakers across the world.

The essence of the Quakers Quakers believe that there is something of God in everybody and that each human being is of unique worth. What Quakers believe Among key Quaker beliefs are: God is love the light of God is in every single person a person who lets their life be guided by that light will achieve a full relationship with God everyone can have a direct, personal relationship with God without involving a priest or minister redemption and the Kingdom of Heaven are to be experienced now, in this world Quakers want to make this a better world Quakers work actively to make this a better world.

They are particularly concerned with: human rights, based on their belief in equality of all human beings social justice peace freedom of conscience environmental issues - Quakers seek to live simply so as to reduce the burden on the world community life Holy Books Quakers do not regard any book as being the actual 'word of God'. Worship Quaker communal worship consists of silent waiting, with participants contributing as the spirit moves them. Are Quakers Christian? Where the names come from One story says that the founder, George Fox, once told a magistrate to tremble quake at the name of God and the name 'Quakers' stuck.

Beliefs Quaker ideas and beliefs Beliefs are not just safe ledges in an uncertain reality, but rather handholds from which further heights can be reached. Eleven Quaker Scientists, Bernard Canter Worship Quaker worship Worship is our response to an awareness of God. Advice and Queries. Richard Allen. Be still and cool in thy own mind and spirit from thy own thoughts George Fox.

True silence William Penn, Fox and social issues Fox got into political trouble because of his idea that there was something "of God in every person".

Fox and religious issues Fox's aim was to inspire people to hear and obey the voice of God and become a community "renewed up again in God's image" by living the principles of their faith.

Quakers and slavery The origins of Christian abolitionism can be traced to the late 17th Century and the Quakers. Holy days Holy days Quakers do not celebrate Christian festivals such as Easter and Christmas although Quaker families may mark Christmas as the secular festival it has largely become. Ethics Quaker ethics Take heed, dear Friends, to the promptings of love and truth in your hearts.

Advices and Queries. John Woolman, Towards a Quaker view of sex, No relationship can be a right one which makes use of another person through selfish desire. Advices, Britain Yearly Meeting.

Meeting for Sufferings' Statement of Intent on Racism, Quaker Faith and Practice. Quaker statement to King Charles II, A good end cannot sanctify evil means; nor must we ever do evil, that good may come of it.

London Yearly Meeting, Kathleen Lonsdale, John Woolman Marriage Quaker marriage Quakers strongly believe in the sanctity of marriage but also recognise the value of non-marital relationships and the single life. George Fox, Minute 25, Britain Yearly Meeting 31 July Funerals Quaker funerals A Quaker funeral has two particular aims: to thank God for the life that has been lived, and to help the mourners feel a deep sense of God's presence. Quakers can be buried or cremated.

Structure and clergy Structure of the Quaker movement The Quakers are organised through a series of meetings. Most local Quaker communities hold monthly business meetings. There is no organisation that has worldwide authority over the movement. Meetings for business Individual Quaker Meetings carry out matters of business and administration at "Meetings for Worship with a Concern for Business". Clergy Our own experience leads us to affirm that the church can be so ordered that the guidance of the Holy Spirit can be known and followed without the need for a separated clergy.

Find out more Christianity and the abolition of slavery Top. See also. Religion and Ethics home Interfaith calendar Ethics guides.