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Rediscovering Jesus through the Quaker Lens: Beyond the Bible
Jesus was a historical charachter, and a deeply interesting influence on religion and spirituality. The question of whether Quakers believe Jesus’ teachings is a complex one, rooted in a nuanced understanding of early Christianity and the evolution of the Bible. While Quakers draw deep inspiration from Jesus’ life and message, their approach differs significantly from…
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Quakers and Slavery
Quakers: A Leading Voice Against Slavery The Religious Society of Friends, or Quakers, have a fascinating and often overlooked history in the fight against slavery. Their commitment to equality and social justice led them to become one of the first groups to actively oppose this abhorrent practice. Early Opposition As early as the 17th century,…
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George Fox and Quaker beliefs
Why did George Fox develop Quakerism? George Fox, the founder of Quakerism, embarked on a spiritual quest during the tumultuous period of the English Civil War. Dissatisfied with the existing religious landscape, he sought a deeper and more personal connection with God. His journey led him to develop a set of beliefs and practices that…
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Unpacking ourselves
Unpacking Ourselves: A Matryoshka Doll Look at Existence, Consciousness, Spirituality, and Religion Ever played with those adorable Russian dolls, the Matryoshkas? The big, painted one holds a slightly smaller one inside, which holds another, and so on? They’re a perfect metaphor for diving into the big questions about ourselves: existence, consciousness, spirituality, and religion. Let’s…
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Quakers and Alcohol
Can Quakers Drink Alcohol? A Deeper Look at Quaker Views on Moderation Quakers, known for their commitment to simplicity and peace, have a complex and evolving relationship with alcohol. While there’s no blanket prohibition against drinking, Quakers emphasise moderation and mindfulness, raising questions about the role of alcohol in a Quaker lifestyle. Historical Perspective Early…
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Quakers and Christmas
Do Quakers Celebrate Christmas? It’s Complicated. As the festive season approaches, many people are busily preparing for Christmas celebrations. But what about Quakers? Do they join in the festivities, or do they have a different perspective on this Christian holiday? Early Quakers and Christmas Historically, early Quakers didn’t celebrate Christmas. They believed that every day…
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The God word….
When looking at how to conduct outreach activities, to make Quakers more visible, there is one big elephant trap that needs to be avoided. Only 35% of UK adults say they are Christians. Only 56% of that 35% say they believe in “God” – whatever that word means in that context. So, 18% of UK…
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Quakers in the future
Is the Quaker Light Fading? A Provocative Look at Stagnation and Potential Trigger warning – this gets a bit feisty! Here’s a set of thoughts with a provocative tone but including some nuance and potential avenues for exploration. It’s crafted as a piece that might spark introspection within the Quaker community or begin a dialogue,…
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The Beaconite Controversy
by Anna Braithwaite Thomas. [Bulletin of Friends’ Historical Society, (Philadelphia) Vol. IV, no. 2 (Third Month, 1912,) pages 70-81.] The Beaconite Controversy took its name from a small book entitled “A Beacon to the Society of Friends,” published in First month, 1835, by Isaac Crewdson, a minister belonging to Manchester Meeting, England. To quote from Joseph…
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Quakerism: Religion, Philosophy, or Something Else Entirely?
If you’ve ever delved into Quakerism, you might have found yourself scratching your head. Is it a religion? A spiritual path? Just a really nice way to live your life? The answer, like most things in life, is complicated and impressive. Okay, so what exactly do Quakers believe? At the heart of it, Quakers believe…
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Existence, consciousness, spirituality, religion and Quakers
6 May 2024 Quakerism: Religion, Philosophy, or Something Else Entirely? If you’ve ever delved into Quakerism, you might have found yourself scratching your head. Is it a religion? A spiritual path? Just a really nice way to live your life? The answer, like most things in life, is complicated and impressive. Okay, so what exactly…
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Are you a Quaker at heart?
Peace, Equality, Simple Living… Sound Familiar? You Might Be a Secret Quaker Do you get fired up about social justice? Wish the world would just chill out and stop fighting? Believe everyone deserves respect, no matter what? Maybe you crave a less cluttered life, a bit more focus on what matters? Well, guess what? You…