Kings Lynn Quakers
Truth. Simplicity. Equality. Peace.
  • Home
  • Worship with us
    • New to Quakers
    • Visiting Friends
    • Children
  • About Quakers
    • Quaker beliefs
    • Quaker ways
    • Quaker origins
    • Extra information
    • Find us
    • Local history >
      • Fox's journal
      • Meeting House history
    • Collaborations
  • Calendar
  • Library
    • Library resources
    • Library Committee
    • Other Quaker resources
    • Books for sale
    • Book reviews
  • Contact us
  • Room hire
In this section

> Quaker beliefs

> Quaker ways

> Quaker origins

> Extra information

> Find us

> Local history

> Collaborations
Back to

< About Quakers

What do Quakers believe?

Quakers believe that our own experience guides us towards God and towards God's will. Scriptures and the wisdom of others can help us, but God's spirit speaks to each of us and it is our task to try to hear and understand it. Quakers try very hard to listen to their consciences, regarding that as one way the Spirit speaks to us.

There is a great diversity within the Quakers on conceptions of God, and we use different kinds of language to describe religious experience. Some Quakers have a conception of God which is similar to that of orthodox Christians, and would use similar language. Others are happy to use God-centred language, but would conceive of God in very different terms to the traditional Christian trinity.

Some describe themselves as agnostics, or humanists, or non-theists and describe their experiences in ways that avoid the use of the word God entirely. Quaker faith is built on experience and Quakers would generally hold that it is the spiritual experience which is central to Quaker worship, and not the use of a particular form of words (whether that be “God” or anything else).

"There is a principle which is pure, placed in the human mind, which in different places and ages hath different names; it is, however, pure and proceeds from God. It is deep and inward, confined to no forms of religion nor excluded from any where the heart stands in perfect sincerity. In whomsoever this takes root and grows, of what nation soever, they become brethren*"
John Woolman, 1792

* With acknowledgement of the non-inclusive language of 1792!



King's Lynn Quakers

About Quakers
Contact us 
Room hire
Local Quaker history
Related Quaker websites

Quakers in Norfolk
Quakers in Britain
Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre
The Friend magazine
Small print

Privacy
Accessibility
Disclaimer
Copyright
© King's Lynn Quakers  |  Religious Society of Friends  |  38 Bridge Street, King's Lynn, Norfolk PE30 5AB  |  MMXVIII