This belief has evolved to mean that Quakers don't have strict set rules governing their Church — how each individual chooses to act, if it is driven by this inner light, is valid.
It also means that Quakers believe there is that of God in everyone , they seek to 'meet' this in all people and see all humans as equal and deserving of equal treatment and respect. Early Quakers also preached there was no need for churches, rituals, holy days, or sacraments, to practice religion. Rather religion should be something one lived and acted out every day. These ideas were radical in a period where the established church held great political power, and many early Quakers were imprisoned and oppressed for these beliefs.
Through history, these beliefs have led Quakers to act in ways they are now well known for; campaigning for the rights of prisoners, refusing to fight in wars, mediating in conflicts, and becoming the first religious organisation in Britain to officially recognise same-sex marriage.
Early Quaker gatherings and the organisational structure, set up in the 17 th century, remains much the same today; Quakers gather to meet together, usually once a week, to sit in stillness and waiting, often in silence.
Many of Rhode Island's early governors were Quakers. Pennsylvania was founded by affluent Quaker William Penn in as a state run under Quaker principles. The steadfastness of persecuted Quakers in England and America helped win tolerance of all religions. By , Quakerism entered a period of peaceful recuperation and regrouping. Meetings of the Friends United Meeting and the conservative Evangelical Friends International have taken on the programmed format more similar to other Protestant services — being led by pastors.
Quakerism has spread internationally since its founding with an estimated , Quakers throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and North and South America today. About one third of all Quakers live in the United States and Canada. Skip to main content. 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. With this wealth, however, some Quakers did increase their standard of living by building city homes, country homes, and sometimes plantations where they would entertain visitors.
However, they would not indulge in idle extravagances such as gambling, dancing, art, music and theater Bacon. Pennsylvania's economic success ranks at the top with only a few in colonial history during its first twenty years. Pennsylvania's momentum started with Penn's effective emigration promotion. From the start, the colony had highly skilled craftsmen and Quaker merchants who were established, well-respected men.
Pennsylvania owes the success of its birth and the first two decades to the presence, industry, and financial sensibility of the Friends. The Quakers not only contributed to the success of Pennsylvania, but have been in the forefront of many social reforms.
Quakers in England were the first in the world to recognize that the mentally insane were receiving inhumane treatment and deserved better care. Quakers helped found Pennsylvania Hospital, which was the first institution in the New World that offered medical and occupational care for the insane.
Quaker advancement in the treatment of the insane was unparalleled due to their humane attitude and their insight into future psychiatric treatments. Prison reform and care for the poor were very relevant and close the heart of Quakers.
Early Quakers had been persecuted and imprisoned leaving their families impoverished, so they knew the mistreatment of prisoners first hand by the prison systems and felt the sufferings of the poor. The Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons was established by Quakers to improve conditions of sanitation, shelter, and treatment of imprisoned.
Meetings for sufferings were established for Quakers to care for their own poor and widows. Quaker belief in equality was inherent from the inception of the religion, so women were always treated as equals in the home, the schoolroom and the meeting house. It was not so surprising that Quakers were interested in the women's rights movement. However, Quaker women involved did not act as the other feminists, wearing bloomers, smoking cigars, or calling attention to themselves.
Their approach was quiet and feminine yet determined and strong while working on and often succeeding on human rights for all. Their belief in equality also encompassed race; therefore, Quakers found slavery abhorrent and were deeply entrenched in the movement for the abolition of slavery. The Quakers staunch commitment to their beliefs cements them into important social reforms in history.
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