History Archives - QuakerSpeak

The Influence of Quakers in Mental Healthcare

“We often fail to recognize that Quakers were tremendous innovators in behavioral health,” reflects Joe Pyle, president of the Thomas… Rebecca Hamilton-Levi

The Quaker Handshake as a Sacramental Practice

Before the pandemic, the handshake was such a commonplace gesture that you’ve probably never thought much about where it came… Rebecca Hamilton-Levi

Admiring John Brown as a Pacifist

“John Brown was a deeply religious man who took gospel teachings to heart,” says Michael Levi. “[He] saw unsustainable, unacceptable… Rebecca Hamilton-Levi

How History Informs Continuing Revelation

When we ask ourselves why a Quaker meeting or church might make a good spiritual home, Steve Angell observes, we… Rebecca Hamilton-Levi

Why Do Some Quakers Dress Plain?

Most Quakers stopped dressing plainly in the late 1800s, but the practice is still alive for some. Four Friends explain… Rebecca Hamilton-Levi

Are You a Liberal or Orthodox Quaker?

Many seekers have discovered Quakers through online quizzes like Beliefnet, but what do they mean by “Liberal” and “Orthodox” Quakerism? Martin Kelley

Click to Watch: “How George Fox Fit 7 Bible References into a Single Sentence”

How George Fox Fit 7 Bible References into a Single Sentence

Early Quakers like George Fox packed their writing with biblical allusions. The reason why they did it, though, is profound.… Martin Kelley

Click to watch: “How Did Quakers Come to North America?”

How Did Quakers Come to North America?

Why did Quakers come to North America? As Max Carter tells it, it wasn’t to escape religious persecution. Martin Kelley

Click to watch: “The History of Quaker War Tax Resistance”

The History of Quaker War Tax Resistance

Quaker historian Paul Buckley discusses the history of Quaker war tax resistance since the founding of the Religious Society of… Martin Kelley

Click to Watch: “Who is John Woolman?”

Who Is John Woolman?

Quaker icon John Woolman balanced activism with an inward contemplative spirituality. Michael Birkel, Professor of Christian Spirituality at Earlham School… Martin Kelley

Click to watch: “Do Quakers Drink Alcohol?”

Do Quakers Drink Alcohol?

Historically, Quakers are known for abstaining from drinking alcohol. What was the reason behind Quaker teetotalism? Was that always the… Martin Kelley

Click to Watch: Equality, Even in Death

How Are Quaker Cemeteries Different?

Why are Quaker graveyards different? Early Quakers believed that ornate gravestones communicated the dominion of the upper classes, even in… Martin Kelley

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The Influence of Quakers in Mental Healthcare

The Quaker Handshake as a Sacramental Practice

Admiring John Brown as a Pacifist

How History Informs Continuing Revelation