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Core Values
Our faith has always led us to reject violence as a means to any end and to regard service and mutual support as the basis for an authentic human life. In refusing a commission to Cromwell’s army, our founder George Fox (1624-1691) said: “I live in the virtue of that Life and Power which takes away the occasion of all wars.” Understanding the way of Christ as the way of self-sacrifice, we believe that he calls and empowers us to follow his example.
Core Beliefs
Quakers believe that everyone is “unique, precious, a child of God”. From our 17th century origins we have tried to express our belief in the reality of God by the way we live rather than by doctrinal statements. Quakers meet to worship in gathered silence from which ministry may arise. The sense of communion which the gathering engenders is both an opportunity to become aware of the guidance of God and an experience which strengthens us after we leave to implement the leadings with which we have been enlightened.
Grounds for believing
The Quaker movement is rooted in Christianity but open to new light from whatever source this may come. George Fox enjoined his followers to “answer that of God in everyone”, describing this reality as “the inward light of Christ” which all can experience direct, without mediation of priest or sacrament. Fox expressed the personal responsibility to which this leads thus: You will say, Christ saith this, and the apostles say this; but what canst thou say? Art thou a child of Light and hast walked in the Light, and what thou speakest is it inwardly from God?” From the outset Quakers recognised that this reality must also be accessible to all who did not share the Christian tradition and in our post-Christian era this has led to a strong universalist trend.
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