Who knows anything about Quakers? Have questions...

[lonestarnot]

May want to go check out their Church.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

1. .

[lonestarnot]

2. Why alert? Aren't I suppose to ask a question like this?

[kittenpants]

4. oh no! you're not supposed to talk about Quakers!

[lonestarnot]

7. What is this suppose to mean? That's a funny looking donkey you got

there...

[kittenpants]

11. I'm just joking. I don't know why you would get an alert on this topic.

You thinking of joining because of a possible draft or sincerly interested? Or is it for the oatmeal? and, hey, don't you call my donkey "funny lookin" :)

[lonestarnot]

14. you funny one kittenpants...just a little different donkey...thought you

might be sppppooof'n... read all the stuff on the Quaker website another individual was gracious enough to post. Am going to a meeting as I like what I read... Just concerned about the approach to the Bible and what about Baptism...guess they will answer those questions when I burst in on 'em. LOL

[ultraist]

3. The Meeting Houses vary, check their websites

The Quakers have a long and honorable history of fighting for women's rights, children's rights, and civil rights. They are very active on social issues and very involved in the peace movement.

I'm not a Quaker but I did date a guy in HS who was. VERY COOL guy from a liberal family. That was many moons ago. LOL

[lonestarnot]

5. My boss is a Quaker and he won't talk... Guess I've never asked many

questions. Maybe I should just barge in...can't go to my old Church anymore. They make me sick! I know they don't believe in war and all I hear are good things like antiwar, don't pick on gay people, women's rights, good stuff like that.

[QC]

6. They make the best oatmeal! n/t

[lonestarnot]

8. MMMMM I love oatmeal too! and I love my Boss! He is the best human

on earth! Kindest soul anyone would ever be obliged to meet. Here's to my boss:toast:

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[QC]

17. Or Queen's Counsel, perhaps. n/t

[Paul Hood]

9. I went to a lecture on the Middle East last night

at a Quaker Meetinghouse. Maybe some help here.

http://www.quaker.org

[lonestarnot]

12. Thank you.

[Selatius]

13. They're conscientious objectors with war, for one

I wouldn't recommend joining the Quakers if all you're doing is trying to dodge the draft. You're not necessarily joining for everything else the church offers, just joining because of a fringe benefit. Are you? I only ask people to be brutally honest with themselves; that's all. Also, they investigate these things. The military won't let you off the hook without investigating how you came into the church to begin with if you apply for conscientious objector status.

If you're really interested in learning about their ideas and not just to try to escape a draft, please have an open mind about Quaker beliefs and ponder them carefully and with critical thought.

[lonestarnot]

15. I'm a vet baby...ain't afraid of nut'n... they might be afraid of me; I

curse like a wildmanwoman! Will try to hold it while I'm there. My boss let's it rip sometimes...He funny man.

[TreasonousBastard]

16. I'm one of several Quakers on DU, so...

what would you like to know?

I'll start you off with this...

There are several branches of Quakerism, and we range from the silent meeting, "waiting on God," to to actual church services.

Most Quakers do not subscribe to creeds, dogma or doctrinal beliefs, although some have subscribed to the Richmond Declaration, which is a statement of basic belief. We have a range of beliefs from soft atheism to evangelical Christianity amongst us, generally coexisting fairly peacefully.

While we are known for our activism, we are more interested in our personal spirituality. It is that spirituality that leads us to action.

We have no central organization or authority, although the meetings do tend to group together for mutual support.

We are not Mennonites, Amish, or Shakers. We are considered one of the Gnostic, or Mystic sects of christianity.


My meeting's website (sorely in need of updating):
http://www.plainfieldquakers.org/

You've already been told of Quaker.org, the grandaddy of Quaker sites, but one way to find a local meeting, if any are around you, is www.quakerfinder.org

[katinmn]

18. I like the silent meeting format

I've never been to one but it has always intrigued me.

[TreasonousBastard]

22. the nwhy not give it a shot? www.quakerfinder.org

[lonestarnot]

20. Thanks...already printed my little map! Gona give it a check out... n/t

[cally]

19. I've attended several Friends' services

Treasonas Bastard and others are much better informed on the doctrine and beliefs. When I attended, each person was allowed to speak if they were moved. Some were very spiritual, some activist, and some just boring. We sat there for a long time waiting for someone to speak. I wasn't used to the silence but after a few services I felt more comfortable with the silence and the sense of joint prayer and spirituality.

I went looking for a statement of beliefs and I couldn't find one. I think if I had remained longer, I would have gotten one. What I found was a welcoming community who focused on your own relationship to God.

[TreasonousBastard]

21. There have been millions of pages of...

Quaker journals and theological treatises written, but you won't find a statement of belief in one of our FGC silent meetings.

Should you go back, what you will find is "Faith & Practice" put out by your Yearly Meeting. It isn't a catechism, but a guidebook for the path you choose to take.