About the Quaker Faith...
Quakers (also known as Friends) tend to practice an ecology and simplicity and individuality in their faith.
Since we essentially agree that each individual is equally divine and has equal access and value to the divine, then we find there is much to be learned from each individual's experience, learnings, leadings, awarenesses and sharings.
In effect, we view each person, equally, as a minister (though we generally do not use the title of minister) and all of life as equally holy.
So, historically, Quakers do not have "churches" but rather "meeting houses" where people gather to worship. Most Friends do not "dress up" for meeting, but rather come as they are every day. And they do not have an assigned minister who conducts a service. Rather, those in attendance sit in contemplative and expectant silence.
If anyone is moved to speak--offer an inspired observation, insight, reflective question, or other brief comment or teaching--that person stands and speaks for a moment or two. And then the meeting returns to contemplative silence.
Sometimes no one speaks the whole hour. Sometimes 15 or more people might speak. This so-called "silent worship" (known in Friends parlance as "unprogrammed meeting") is my Quaker orientation. It is not the only one.
Another, more recent offshoot of Quaker faith that evolved in the late 19th Century models itself more after the more traditional Protestant church--with clergy and liturgy. That branch of Quakerism is said to be growing particularly fast these days in Africa.
While Friends have no formal creed or dogma, they do seek to allow their lives to be guided by exploration of some key principles (known as "testimonies") which include:
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Peace
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Simplicity
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Integrity
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Equality
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Stewardship
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Community.
And the focus tends to be on both the inner and outer journeys--how one reflects and practices these principles individually and in the greater community--and on the light each one of us has to share.
Inner-Light
Wider Quaker Fellowship
Positive
Church Online
(Taken offline 2-24-04 after almost 9 years of web presence.)
A candle flickers here as a symbol of light... the light within, the light we seek, the light we share, the light we find, the light we are, the light we try to be.
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