Friends

E10892

Friends, formally known as the Religious Society of Friends, is a Christian-rooted religious movement best known for its Quaker tradition emphasizing inner spiritual experience, pacifism, and social justice.

Aliases (1)

Statements (85)
Predicate Object
instanceOf Christian religious movement
Protestant denomination family
historic peace church
peace church
associatedConcept Quaker testimonies
consensus decision-making in worshipful manner
peace testimony
plain dress (historical)
plain speech (historical)
associatedWithMovement abolition of slavery
humanitarian relief work
peace movement
prison reform
women's rights
clergyStructure generally no ordained clergy among unprogrammed Friends
pastors among some programmed Friends
coreBelief inner light
that God can speak directly to each person
corePractice consensus decision-making
discernment in community
meeting for business
meeting for worship
silent worship
testimonies-based living
unprogrammed worship
emphasis community
direct experience of God
equality
inner spiritual experience
integrity
pacifism
peace
simplicity
social justice
stewardship
ethicalStance abolitionism (historical)
conscientious objection to war
humanitarian relief
nonviolence
pacifism
prison reform (historical)
social equality
foundedBy George Fox
foundedInCentury 17th century
foundedInCountry England
foundedInDecade 1650s
governance congregational with strong role for meetings
hasAlternativeName Friends Church
Society of Friends
hasCommonName Friends
Quakers
hasDiversity conservative Friends
evangelical Friends
liberal Friends
pastoral meetings
unprogrammed meetings
hasGlobalPresence yes
historicalOrigin English Civil War period
English Protestantism
notableOrganization American Friends Service Committee
Evangelical Friends Church International
Friends General Conference
Friends United Meeting
Friends World Committee for Consultation
Quaker Peace and Social Witness
organizationalUnit monthly meeting
quarterly meeting
yearly meeting
presentInContinent Africa
Asia
Europe
Latin America
North America
Oceania
religiousRoot Christianity
religiousTradition Quakerism
scriptureView Bible as important but not sole authority
continuing revelation
symbolUse generally minimal use of religious symbols
theology emphasis on experience over doctrine
non-creedal
worshipPlace meeting house
worshipStyle programmed worship
semi-programmed worship
unprogrammed worship

Referenced by (3)

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