Quakerism: Practices, Beliefs and Values

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Researching for the Religious Society of Friends or Quakers as they are called heavily reminds me of Social Work. Their core beliefs and values correlate very closely to Social Work’s own core beliefs and values. For my paper, I will discuss Quakerism, their practices, beliefs, values, and how Quakerism supports human rights and equality.
A Brief History
The Religious Society of Friends was founded by George Fox during the 1600s in England. The term “Quaker” was given to the group as a way to ridicule them. As the popularity of the name began to emerge, members began to adapt the term and use it when speaking about themselves informally so that others could understand who they were. The Quaker movement began due to a religious upheaval as people began to question the church and wanted newer ways on how to understand Christianity. As a result of this, a group of “Friends” gathered together and followed leader George Fox believed that the spirit of god, or the “Inner Light,” was within each person, and that the worship of god had no need of a minister or priest. It was the belief that all members were their own minister. schrauwers (2001), explains: “Quaker’s stated that an experimental apprehension of god in the soul, the inner light, was open to all who would attend to its leadings; only those who are led by the spirit would stand and speak in meetings” (pg.433). This means the light is an experience open to everyone regardless of their culture or belief. (Ambler, 2008) The light will be effective if the person experiencing it gives it attention and once accepted will be able to lead people to the divine as well as guide them through life and unite others who are open as well. (Ambler, 2008). The Religious Society of Friend...

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Schrauwers, A. (2001). Sitting in silence: Self, emotion, and tradition in the genesis of a charismatic ministry. Ethos,29(4), 430. Retrieved from http://bluehawk.monmouth.edu:2048/?url=/docview/232948653?accountid=12532
Specht, N. J. (2003). Women of one or many bonnets?: Quaker women and the role of religion in trans-Appalachian settlement. NWSA Journal, 15(2), 27. Retrieved from http://bluehawk.monmouth.edu:2048/?url=/docview/233238105?accountid=12532
The Religious Society of Friends. (n.d.). Retrieved May 2014, from http://Quaker.org

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