Founded in the 17th century as a Christian denomination by people who were dissatisfied with existing denominations, most people know Quakers as the people on oatmeal containers, the founders of Pennslyvania, and people who refuse to fight.

But in recent times, it has developed more of a Universalist view of the world.

It does not have dogmas, nor hierarchies. Quakers do not believe in taking oaths.

The central concept to many Friends is the concept of an "Inner Light." Friends develop individual beliefs about God and the world around them based on personal conscience and revelation coming from "God within." They are encouraged to live by their own individual beliefs. It's much like Transcendentalism in that aspect.

Some believe in the Bible, others don't. Quakers generally study the Bible, but they are not told that it's the word of God and that they should live by it. In fact, many believe that although although some parts of the Bible are good adages to live by, it was written by men, and therefore carries with it all the biases of mankind.

Many people label modern Quakers as Christians, because of their history as a Christian denomination, although many of them claim to be Universalists, agnostics, atheists, humanists, etc.

It's becoming very similar to Unitarian Universalism, and the two movements cooperate very well, and often collaborate on many things.

The two movements have always been a voice for liberal social change and reform. Although Unitarian Universalists are usually anti-war, that's not always the case. Quakers, however, are strictly anti-violence of any kind. Both groups advocate gay rights, abortion rights, human rights in general, equality of races and sexes, conservation of natural resources, peaceful diplomacy over war, etc.

I'm just kind of curious to know what you guys think about Quakers. My dad was kind of one, especially later in life, and he influenced my beliefs a lot.

Do you consider Quakers Christians? I definitely know a lot of people who do.

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