Quakerism
How the Quakers came to be:
- The Quakers derived from the vision of George Fox in England around 1650 (Quakersonline).
In the 17th century, George Fox travelled around England, talking to priests and religious scholars, in search of religious meaning.
During his travels, he came upon a Christian group of people called the "Westmoreland Seekers", who worshipped without any priests or paid leader.
George Fox was intrigued and eventually became the spiritual leader of this group who then became known as the Religious Society of Friends (The Beginnings of Quakerism).
In 1652, George Fox arrived at Swarthmoor Hall, which was inhabited by Thomas and Margaret Fell.
Margaret Fell became a Quaker at this time, and with the support from her husband, Thomas Fell, the Society of Friends met at Swarthmoor Hall regularly.
(The Beginnings of Quakerism)
About Quakerism
- A major belief of the Quakers was that ministry came through women as well as men (Bill Samuel).
- Quakers were also referred to as "The Religious Society of Friends."
- "The name "Quaker" was a derogatory name given to George Fox and his followers by a judge, as they were said to tremble at the 'Word of the Lord'" (The Canadian Encyclopedia).
Fox believed in "'the light within' - a spark of the Divine which resides in every person regardless of social status" (Conservative Quakers).
- The Religious Society of Friends was different from most religions as there was no central authority or body which governed and dictated the beliefs or practices of its members. All decisions were made together.
The Quakers were often beaten or imprisoned and in some occasions, like in Boston, they were executed (Samuel)
- The reasons the Quakers were treated in this manor was because they "opposed central church authority, preferred to seek spiritual insight and consensus through egalitarian Quaker meetings, they advocated sexual equality and became some of the most outspoken opponents of slavery in early America" (A&E).
Swarthmoor Hall
Swarthmoor Hall played an important role in the founding of the Religious Society of Friends. Swarthmoor Hall resides in Cumbria, England where it was built in 1586 by George Fell, which was eventually inherited by his son, Thomas Fell. Swarthmoor Hall became the home of Thomas and Margaret Fell, which they opened up to George Fox in 1652 to be used for the Society of Friends meetings. Swarthmoor Hall now belongs to the Religious Society of Friends and is a historical home filled with seventeenth century furniture. It also has some of George Fox's personal items and other historical pieces telling about the Quakers (History of the Hall).
The Quaker Oats Man
The Quaker Oats Man has been mistaken for years to be William Penn or Ben Franklin, but it is actually a man wearing the Quaker attire.
The Quaker Man was chosen to reflect the Quaker faith and its values of honesty, integrity, and purity (TV Acres).
The Society of Friends actually went to court have their association with Quaker Oats removed, but they lost.
In the 17th century, George Fox travelled around England, talking to priests and religious scholars, in search of religious meaning.
During his travels, he came upon a Christian group of people called the "Westmoreland Seekers", who worshipped without any priests or paid leader.
George Fox was intrigued and eventually became the spiritual leader of this group who then became known as the Religious Society of Friends (The Beginnings of Quakerism).
In 1652, George Fox arrived at Swarthmoor Hall, which was inhabited by Thomas and Margaret Fell.
Margaret Fell became a Quaker at this time, and with the support from her husband, Thomas Fell, the Society of Friends met at Swarthmoor Hall regularly.
Fox believed in "'the light within' - a spark of the Divine which resides in every person regardless of social status" (Conservative Quakers).
The Quakers were often beaten or imprisoned and in some occasions, like in Boston, they were executed (Samuel)
Swarthmoor Hall played an important role in the founding of the Religious Society of Friends. Swarthmoor Hall resides in Cumbria, England where it was built in 1586 by George Fell, which was eventually inherited by his son, Thomas Fell. Swarthmoor Hall became the home of Thomas and Margaret Fell, which they opened up to George Fox in 1652 to be used for the Society of Friends meetings. Swarthmoor Hall now belongs to the Religious Society of Friends and is a historical home filled with seventeenth century furniture. It also has some of George Fox's personal items and other historical pieces telling about the Quakers (History of the Hall).
The Quaker Oats Man has been mistaken for years to be William Penn or Ben Franklin, but it is actually a man wearing the Quaker attire.
The Quaker Man was chosen to reflect the Quaker faith and its values of honesty, integrity, and purity (TV Acres).
The Society of Friends actually went to court have their association with Quaker Oats removed, but they lost.
