| non violence must include a willingness to face personal risk in administering relief to victims of the tragedy of war and in performing other non military service. No one statement or creed is acknowledged by all Friends. PRACTICES AND BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS: No specific standard ethical practices are observed, but obedience to the Light of Christ within is encouraged. Total abstinence from narcotics and alcoholic beverages, as well as tobacco, is encouraged. Friends are urged to abstain from gambling. They object to oaths, pledges or sworn statements not as a mere negation but as a positive affirmation of the ideal of utter sincerity and authenticity for the regulation of life and in all one's relationships. A person's word should be as good as a sworn statement. They discourage membership in secret organizations. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: In Quaker polity, local congregations may be Monthly Meetings or Preparative Meetings. Monthly Meetings, related geographically, comprise a Quarterly or Regional or Area meeting and a larger association of these comprises a Yearly Meeting which is the autonomous and authoritative body. In the U.S., there are 31 Yearly Meetings, l l of which share in cooperative ministries through the Friends United Meeting, established in 1900, has 10 Yearly meetings, four of which hold membership jointly in Friends United Meeting. Organized in 1966, Evangelical Friends Alliance has four Yearly Meetings. Three yearly meetings are members of the Conservative group and seven yearly Meetings are unaffiliated. NATURE AND ROLE OF MINISTERIAL LEADERSHIP: Friends hold to the universal ministry, believing that every disciple is called to be a minister, though each branch recognizes that some individuals receive a special call to minister. This led to the abolition of the concept of the laity and of professional "priests." In the 1800s, specialized pastoral ministry was recognized in the U.S. and pastors now serve many American Quaker Meetings. Quaker pastors generally have typical Protestant pastoral duties, but their role is that of servant and not authoritative in the sense of conferred power. Since all are ministers, the pastor's task includes encouraging and supporting other members in their ministry. Insofar as there is formal leadership and coordination among those Friends who do not have regular pastors, usually called "unprogrammed' or silent Meetings (Friends), such leadership is exercised by the Clerk (chairman) of each local meeting (congregation) (see also "Worship Requirements."). WORSHIP: No specific worship requirements, but personal devotional disciplines and regular participation in corporate worship is encouraged. Many Friends Meetings still hold their worship Meetings on the basis of silence. Worshipers gather without a set or planned form of service and individual worshipers, as they are led by the Spirit, may speak to the Meeting or pray on its behalf. No special equipment or facilities are required for worship. DIETARY STANDARDS: None (see also "Practices and Behavioral Standards"). FUNERAL AND BURIAL REQUIREMENTS: None. No restrictions with respect to autopsy or cremation. MEDICAL PRACTICES: No restrictions. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS: Strong historical stand against participation in armed forces, although individual decision is recognized. Quakers are essentially non violent and committed to peaceful resolution to conflict. No specific methods are employed for recruiting members, other than the encouragement for members (ministers) to share their faith in words and actions. Generally, Quakers cooperate with other Christian bodies and participate in various ecumenical endeavors consistent with their beliefs and practices. GENERAL SOURCE BOOKS: Brinton, Howard H. Children of Light New York: Macmillan Company, 1938. 416pp. Ken worthy, Leonard. Cocainism. Durbin, IN: Print Press, 1981. 215pp. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Friends United Meeting 101 Quaker Hill Drive Richmond, IN 47374 or Friends General Conference 1520 B Race Street Philadelphia, PA 19120 Tel: (215) 241-7270 |
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| Black Rose Spiritual Center, Inc : Belief Systems |
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| Religious Society of Friends Friends United Meeting |
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| ADDRESS: 101 Quaker Hill Drive, Richmond, IN 47374 OTHER NAMES: Quakers CURRENT LEADERSHIP: No central national or international organization or leadership. The Friends World Committee for Consultation relates to all groups of Friends and seeks to coordinate Quaker activity and to bring various groups of Friends into dialogue and fellowship. MEMBERSHIP: Not Reported. HISTORICAL ROOTS: Traced to the Society of Friends established by George Fox (1624 1691) in England in approximately 1652, arising out of the Puritan Reformed movement in 14th Century England. Because of disorders and religious persecution in England, Quaker immigration began in 1656 to Massachusetts, where many were persecuted, banished or hanged. Quaker settlements were established in many colonies within the next ten years. William Penn obtained a grant of land (Pennsylvania) in 1681 in consideration of a debt the Crown owed his father, Admiral Penn. Penn's "Holy Experiment" accelerated Quaker immigration. BASIC BELIEFS: Friends believe that the source of religious authority for both personal and corporate guidance is the Holy Spirit or Inner Light of Christ, the Scriptures and religious tradition, along with the abiding community of faith. Some might hold one of these to be a primary source of authority, while other Friends tend toward another. In any case, any one authority needs to be confirmed by the others or at least be consistent with the others. They also hold to the universality of the Light ("There is a Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world" John 1 :9), which the founder of Quakerism, George Fox, put in these terms: "There is that of God in every one." Most Friends believe that the observance of the outward sacraments is unnecessary; that in worship each person may have direct access to the Lord without aid of an intermediary. Friends believe in social, economic, interracial and international justice. They believe that political or governmental authority is subject to divine authority and that, therefore, the individual in matters of conscience must obey God rather than man. Generally. Friends have held that participation in military service is inconsistent with their religious principles, and have sought exemption on grounds of conscience and religious conviction. They recognize, however, that a consistent policy of |
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