Quakers

Quakers are members of a Christian group formally called the Religious Society of Friends. The movement began in England during the mid-1600s. Quakers believed that people could have a direct experience of God without priests or set ceremonies. Because of this, they formed a group that worshiped in a different way from most churches of the time.

The Quaker movement was started by George Fox, an English religious teacher. Fox traveled across England sharing his ideas. He taught that each person has an Inner Light. The Inner Light is a belief that God’s guidance can be found within every person. This idea led Quakers to place less importance on church buildings and written prayers.

Quaker worship meetings were often simple and quiet. Many meetings were held in silence. People spoke only if they felt moved to share a message. There were no priests or ministers leading the service. A minister is a person officially trained to lead religious services. Quakers believed that anyone could speak during worship.

Early Quakers faced opposition from the government and other churches. They refused to swear oaths, which are formal promises often used in courts. They also would not remove their hats for social superiors. Because of these actions, many Quakers were fined, jailed, or punished. Some left England to find places where they could live freely.

Quakers spread to other parts of the world, including North America. One well-known Quaker was William Penn, who founded the colony of Pennsylvania in 1681. A colony is a settlement controlled by another country. Penn planned Pennsylvania as a place where different religious groups could live without persecution. Many Quakers settled there.

Over time, Quakers formed communities in Europe, the Americas, and other regions. They organized meetings at local, regional, and national levels. These meetings helped guide group decisions. Quakers did not all think the same, and different branches developed. Today, Quakers continue to meet for worship and manage their communities in many countries.