An Introduction to Quakers

INTRODUCTION

If you are looking for:
• An atmosphere of peace and contemplation,
• Worship without rituals or dogma,
• Spirit with which to live your ideals in the world,
• A faith community that is inclusive and almost without hierarchy,
• An emphasis on the living faith more than correct doctrine,
• Taking part of the movements of nonviolence, equality, environmental protection, and support of human rights,

We would like to invite you to our faith community. You can locate Friends Meetings in Latin America by clicking "Unprogrammed Meetings" at the left.

Who are the Quakers?

The Quakers, or Friends, form and are members of the Religious Society of Friends, which was established in England by George Fox in 1652. Quakerism (the Religious Society of Friends) has come to the Americas, Europe and every corner of the world. Friends are distinguished by simplicity and modesty in their lifestyle. They base their beliefs on a series of Testimonies, which include ones on pacifism, the ecology, simplicity, equality, decisions by unanimity, and integrity. The profound belief in equality has been the root of social activism of the Quakers. The necessity of helping others has taken the form of the struggle to achieve equality in women’s rights, the movement to abolish slavery in the United States, religious liberty, prison reform, war protest, and living in such a manner that avoids the occasion for war. Today’s Quakers continue to struggle for these causes, among others.

What is Quaker worship like?
Our Meetings for Worship take place in silence. When you come among us, you encounter people sitting and silent. At times, someone will feel moved to share some words that can be material for reflection for those present, and not a thought that is too personal. They share their thoughts for a few minutes, then the Meeting returns to silence. There is no designated person to speak, and the oral contributions are spontaneous and voluntary.

What takes place in the silence?
Everyone present shares in the responsibility of worship and its blessings. The idea is that one opens oneself to the possibility of divine messages. Some Friends meditate. Others contemplate a phrase or image. Some simply wait. Some simply relax. Still others reflect on a difficulty or problem in life, or in the life of another. Everyone receives it in the silence of shared worship. You make use of what works for you. At the end of the hour, a designated member shakes the hand of the person sitting next to him.

What do Quakers believe in?
The Religious Society of Friends does not obey any set creed. Each person is responsible for his or her own relationship with the Divine, and every experience will be individual. The unifying basic belief that unites the Friends is the presence of the Light Within, the apprehension of God in each and every one of us.

—Comite Mundial de Consulta de los Amigos, México, D.F.