Course:History 344 Nasty Families/Religion/Quakers

Commonly referred to as 'Friends' or the 'Religious Society of Friends,' Quakers were essentially a branch or off shoot of the Church of England. Quakers have been dated back as far as the post civil war era in 1652. George Fox, an itinerant preacher, was deemed as the founder of the Quakers who brought together—with other “seekers”—the message of the direct personal experience of God. In the tumultuous times of Britain, Fox managed to represent the Quakers within a distinctly Christian framework; informed by the scriptures. Fox's theology was similar to that of the various Anabaptist groups of the time, however his Quaker group managed to keep themselves distinct. "This direct personal experience of the Holy Spirit has been characterized as "the Inner Light," or "that of God in everyone." The Quakers generally followed the teachings found in Christianity in the sense of the kingdom in the present and the aversion to killing "that of God" in anyone. The Quakers believed that every man and woman had direct access to God and that no priestly class or "steeple houses" (churches), were needed. Every person, male or female, slave or free is of equal worth and that there is no need in one's religious life for elaborate ceremonies, rituals, gowns, creeds, dogma, or other "empty forms." Following the inward light would thereby lead individuals to spiritual development and perfection.

The Quaker movement would soon come into direct conflict with Cromwell's Puritan government and eventually with the restored monarchy of Charles II over numerous points in which they were persecuted against. Quaker's refused to pay tithes to the state Church, take oaths in court, practice "hat honor,"-which details taking off one's hat to the king or other persons in power positions- or to engage in combative roles during wartime.

References: