Quakers beliefs and practices. Quaker practices sacraments quakers do not practice a ritual baptism but believe that life when lived in the example of jesus christ is a sacrament. Religion does not consist of accepting specific beliefs or of engaging in certain practices. The discipline of the society of friends 1781 reasons for.
This set explores the establishment of quaker life in pennsylvania including religious traditions. This set is best suited for grades 7 12. It involves each persons direct experience of god.
Among the names we use are god spirit the light the inward light the inner light christ truth love. There is a living dynamic spiritual presence at work in the world which is both within us and outside of us. Similarly to the quaker silent meditation seeking revelation directly from god is their form of communion.
Friends believe that life is good and that an essential clue to its real nature is to be glimpsed in the love that people have for one another. Quakers focused their private lives on developing behaviour and speech reflecting emotional purity and the light of god. Quakers use many names to describe this spiritual presence.
Most quakers believe that how a person lives their life is a sacrament and that formal observances are not necessary. There is a strong mystical component to quaker belief. Instead quakers prefer to set down our religious experience in the form of testimonies general statements about practices and beliefs on which most friends can unite.
Some quakers have adopted many of the practices of mainstream churches and have pastors and use hymns in their worship. Their services are usually like methodistor baptistservices. These testimonies represent our ideals.
Quakers hold that baptism is an inward not outward act.