1. The Religious Society of Friends

2. Are the Quakers Anabaptists?  The Quakers are not Anabaptists  The Quakers were founded by George Fox in England during the 1600’s  Fox believed that every human had an element of God’s Light with in them  This “seed of Christ” enabled each person to interpret the Word of God, and to discuss spiritual points of view

3. Famous Quakers Walt Whitman Richard Nixon James Dean Dame Judi Dench Annie Oakley William Penn

4. John 1:9 "The true Light, that lighteth every man that cometh into the world."  Because of the “Inner Light” Fox taught:  that every man and woman has direct access to God; no priestly class or "steeple houses" (churches) are needed  that every person - male or female, slave or free is of equal worth  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 lead to spiritual development and towards individual perfection. http://www.religioustolerance.org/quaker1.h tm Copyright © 1996 to 2006 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance Latest update: 2006-FEB-07 Author: B.A. Robinson

5. Persecution  The Puritan dominated government of England persecuted the Quakers  Quakers would not: Take oaths in court, take their hats off for a king, nor serve in the military  Quakers wanted to end slavery and improve conditions in the penitentiaries.  Quakers were imprisoned for their views

6. They profess no written creed.  The lack of a creed or clear description of Quaker beliefs has sometimes led to the misconception that Friends do not have beliefs or that one can believe anything and be a Friend. Most Quakers take the absence of a creed as an invitation and encouragement to exercise an extra measure of personal responsibility for the understanding and articulation of Quaker faith. Rather than rely on priests or professional theologians, each believer is encouraged to take seriously the personal disciplines associated with spiritual growth. Out of lives of reflection, prayer, faithfulness, and service flow the statements of belief, both in word and in deed. --from Pacific Yearly Meeting Faith and PracticeFaith and Practice

7. Coming to America  Most colonies treated Quakers with disdain: They were hung, deported and jailed  Rhode Island offered sanctuary as did Pennsylvania  William Penn led Quakers into New Jersey and Pennsylvania  Quakers separated their selves from others through plain dress and plain speak: thee, thou  Quakers became respected for their morals and industry  Quakers protested against slavery with many Southern Quakers leaving the south in protest Copyright © 1996 to 2006 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance Latest update: 2006-FEB-07 Author: B.A. Robinson

9. Quakers Today  Louisville Friends Meeting (Quaker) This Web Site: www.neighborhoodlink.com/org/loukyfriends/ We Welcome You Welcome to the Louisville Friends Meeting. Our meetings for worship are open to all who seek friendship and inspiration. Our fondest hope is that you will personally experience these feelings during your visit. We gather in silence each First Day (Sunday) at 10:30 a.m. to share the Light of God that dwells in each of us and seek divine guidance. Our hour of worship may be entirely silent or there may be spoken messages out the thoughts that come to us as we worship together. Those who worship with us do not come with a determination to speak or not to speak. They want simply to be responsive to the inner Light. When a worshiper feels personally called to speak, she or he rises and shares that message as simply and concisely as nature permits. Others who feel in unity with the messages we hear may feel called to speak likewise or simply to pray on their understanding of these messages. Worship begins as Friends enter our meeting room to take their seats in the quiet. We feel there is a need for some period of unbroken silence at the beginning. This period generally lasts about fifteen minutes, after which the children depart for educational activities with our children's' leaders. After approximately one hour, a Friend will initiate handshakes around the room to close our worship service. We hope that you will also linger with us after that to take part in our fellowship.

12. Quakers are: an active, involved faith- based community living in the modern world. We are a diverse people consisting of several distinct branches. We continue our traditional testimonies of pacifism, social equality, integrity, and simplicity, which we interpret and express in a variety of ways. Today, many Friends include stewardship of our planet as one of our testimonies. http://quakerinfo.org/ http://quakerinfo.org/